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HR 4615

Honoring Japanese Americans who suffered relocation and internment during World War II.

2023-2024 Regular Session Introduced by Peter Abbarno and 97 co-sponsors

Washington House resolutions ceremonially honor Japanese American WWII incarcerees and veterans, acknowledge 9066 harms and recognize Navy personnel and installations in the state.

Adopted.
0
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Bill Summary · HR 4615

Summary — H.R. 4615 (House Resolution): Honoring Japanese Americans relocated and interned during WWII (and related resolution text)

Note: The provided materials combine two separate Washington State House resolutions both labeled “HR 4615” (one focusing on Japanese American incarceration during WWII and one recognizing Navy personnel). The file also lists several U.S. House cosponsors that appear inconsistent with the state-resolution text. Below is a clear, objective summary of each resolution as presented, and procedural notes about the mixed records.

Purpose and intent

  • Primary resolution: To recognize and honor Japanese American veterans, former incarcerees, and civil-rights activists from Washington State; to acknowledge the 81st anniversary of Executive Order 9066 (Feb 19, 1942) and to remember the injustice of wartime removal and incarceration.
  • Secondary resolution (same bill file): To recognize and celebrate the service, sacrifice, and community contributions of U.S. Navy personnel and Washington State naval installations.

Key provisions and language

  • The Japanese American resolution:
    • Recites historical facts: EO 9066 (Feb 19, 1942); >120,000 persons of Japanese ancestry removed from the West Coast (including ~12,000 from Washington State); Bainbridge Island evacuees given less than a week’s notice; Camp Harmony (Puyallup) used as temporary detention; 10 inland mass incarceration sites built.
    • Notes wartime measures: formation (Mar 23, 1943) of segregated Japanese American military units; lists wartime honors and casualty figures attributed to those units (Presidential Unit Citations, Medals of Honor, Distinguished Service Crosses, Silver Stars, Bronze Stars, Purple Hearts, etc., and the 2010 Congressional Gold Medal).
    • References legal and historical findings: 1982 Congressional Commission conclusion that there was “no military or security reason” for internment and that it stemmed from “racial prejudice, war hysteria, and a failure of political leadership.”
    • Expresses regret for economic, physical, psychological harm and constitutional violations suffered by Japanese Americans.
    • Resolves that the Washington House pause to acknowledge the EO anniversary, recognize/remember affected Washingtonians, and honor the phrase “…with liberty and justice for all.”
    • Directs the Chief Clerk to transmit copies to specified organizations (Nisei Veterans Committee; Densho; Japanese American Citizens League; Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Washington State; Wing Luke Museum).
  • The Navy recognition resolution:
    • Acknowledges Washington’s Navy presence (noting one naval base, two naval stations, a naval hospital, carriers, surface ships, submarines, aircraft, tens of thousands of personnel).
    • Recognizes the Navy’s economic contribution (“billions of dollars” to local economies), environmental stewardship and investments (salmon and orca recovery efforts, habitat protection, renewable energy, marine research), and quality-of-life awards.
    • Resolves that the Washington House recognizes Navy personnel, their families, and the Navy’s contributions in the state.

Who is affected

  • Ceremonial/nonbinding recognition affecting:
    • Japanese American veterans, former incarcerees, their families, and community organizations in Washington State.
    • Navy personnel stationed in Washington, their families, local communities, and organizations partnering with naval installations.

Procedural / timeline aspects

  • Status reported as “Adopted.”
  • Dates in the provided record are inconsistent:
    • Japanese American resolution: introduced 2023-02-16; adopted 2023-02-16 (per file).
    • Navy recognition resolution: introduced 2025-02-04; adopted 2025-02-04 (per file).
    • Additional entries show 2025-07-22: introduced and referred to House Committee on Small Business; and a 2025-07-22 “Introduced in House” entry — these appear to mix or duplicate records.
  • Legal effect: Both are House resolutions at the state level (ceremonial and commemorative). They do not create new law, appropriate funds, or change policy.

Context & significance

  • The Japanese American resolution memorializes historical injustices stemming from Executive Order 9066, highlights military service and sacrifices of Japanese Americans, recalls the 1982 Commission finding and the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, and directs formal recognition to community organizations.
  • The Navy resolution emphasizes the economic, strategic, environmental, and community roles of naval installations in Washington.

Important note / recommended action

  • The record submitted mixes two distinct resolutions and contains sponsor information that appears to correspond to federal lawmakers rather than the Washington State House. For authoritative details (final text, sponsor lists, exact adoption dates), consult the official Washington State Legislature bill/resolution database or the legislative clerk for confirmation.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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