Sen. Tony Hwang Reflects on Day of Remembrance of Japanese American Incarceration During World War II
February 18, 2022The following statement was released by State Senator Tony Hwang on the 80th anniversary of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s signing of Executive Order 9066, stripping American Citizens of Japanese heritage of their civil rights. (February 19, 1942)
As time goes on, it becomes increasingly easy to forget or overlook the horrendous acts committed by past governments against specific groups.
In these current times we as a nation are vehemently divided, hurling heated language and assuming commentary at one another when we should be holding close the lessons from our own tense history to make amends and work together for the betterment of our entire nation.
There can be no tolerance for divisive speech or actions that could lead to horrendous acts or outcomes like the unjust Japanese-American incarceration. This was an American crime which singled out Japanese Americans.
We will not be able to make the necessary improvements to mend our country if we are not all in on this mission together.
This year I renewed my proposal for raising a bill on Asian American Studies in the Education Committee. I hope it will be raised for consideration this legislative session.