An Act designating January 30 of each year as Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution in Massachusetts

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Jamie Eldridge

The bill would establish January 30 as Fred Korematsu Day in Massachusetts, marked by an annual gubernatorial proclamation to educate about his civil liberties legacy and encourage

House concurred

Bill: An Act designating January 30 of each year as Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution in Massachusetts

Overview

This bill would designate January 30 each year as Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution in Massachusetts. The designation would be implemented via an annual gubernatorial proclamation recognizing Fred Korematsu’s birthday, his advocacy for civil liberties, and an opportunity for civic participation and education about civil rights in the Commonwealth.

Purpose and Intent

Honor the life and contributions of Fred Korematsu, a key figure associated with civil liberties and constitutional rights.

Promote public education about Korematsu’s contributions and broader civil liberties issues.

Encourage civic participation and appropriate observance of the day by the people of Massachusetts.

Key Provisions

Inserts a new section into Chapter 6 of the General Laws (after section 15MMMMM), creating Section 15NNNNNN.

The Governor shall annually issue a proclamation designating January 30 as Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution.

The proclamation is intended to recognize Korematsu’s birthday, educate about his life and advocacy, and recommend that the day be observed in an appropriate manner by the people.

The language emphasizes education, recognition, and civic participation rather than establishing mandated events or funding.

Affected Entities and Impacts

Executive Branch: The Governor’s Office would issue the annual proclamation.

Public education and civic organizations: Potentially involved in observing or coordinating activities to educate about Korematsu’s life and civil liberties.

General public: Encouraged to participate in an appropriate observance; no new mandates or funding requirements are specified.

Legislative History and Status

Filed: January 14, 2025 (Senate Docket No. 849).

Introduced: February 27, 2025.

Referred: Senate Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight (February 27, 2025).

Legislative note: A similar measure was filed in a prior session as House No. 3119 (2023-2024).

Status: House concurred (as of the latest available record).

Timeline and Implementation

If enacted, the Governor would issue an annual proclamation each January 30.

Proclamation serves as the Commonwealth’s formal recognition and educational prompt regarding Korematsu and civil liberties.

No specific implementation date beyond the annual recurring proclamation; no accompanying fiscal appropriation is indicated.

Fiscal and Administrative Considerations

No explicit funding or cost provisions are included in the bill.

Administrative impact centers on the Governor’s Office issuing a yearly proclamation and potential coordination with education or civic groups for observance activities.

Summary in Plain Language

This bill would create a yearly Massachusetts observance of Fred Korematsu Day on January 30, to be marked by an annual gubernatorial proclamation that educates the public about Korematsu’s life and civil liberties legacy and encourages civic participation and appropriate observance nationwide. It would add a new annual ceremonial duty for the Governor and provide a framework for public education and commemoration without imposing new spending or mandatory programs.

Bill