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8 Cosponsors:
9 J. Stuart Adams
10 Curtis S. Bramble
11 D. Gregg Buxton
12 Jim Dabakis
13 Gene Davis
14 Margaret Dayton
15 Luz Escamilla
Lincoln Fillmore
Wayne A. Harper
Daniel Hemmert
Deidre M. Henderson
Lyle W. Hillyard
David P. Hinkins
Don L. Ipson
Karen Mayne
Ann Millner
Ralph Okerlund
Brian E. Shiozawa
Jerry W. Stevenson
Daniel W. Thatcher
Kevin T. Van Tassell
Evan J. Vickers
16
17 LONG TITLE
18 General Description:
19 This concurrent resolution urges the Postmaster General of the United States to issue a
20 commemorative postage stamp telling the inspiring story of the patriotic service of
21 Japanese Americans during World War II.
22 Highlighted Provisions:
23 This resolution:
24 ▸ highlights the service of Japanese Americans during World War II; and
25 ▸ urges the Postmaster General to issue a commemorative postage stamp that would
26 feature the National Japanese American Memorial to Patriotism.
27 Special Clauses:
28 None
29
30 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor concurring therein:
31 WHEREAS, over 33,000 Nisei (second-generation Japanese Americans), including
32 citizens of Utah, served with honor in the United States Army during World War II;
33 WHEREAS, as described in the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, "race prejudice, war
34 hysteria, and a failure of political leadership" led to over 120,000 Japanese Americans being
35 forced from their homes in west-coast states and placed into "internment camps" such as the
36 Topaz Relocation Center near Delta, Utah;
37 WHEREAS, in a show of their American loyalty, 451 individuals who were
38 incarcerated at the Topaz Relocation Center enlisted in the United States Army, leaving family
39 and friends behind barbed wire to serve in the war effort;
40 WHEREAS, these Americans served in the famed 100th Battalion/442nd Regimental
41 Combat Team in Europe, which became the most decorated American unit of the war and one
42 of the most decorated units in our nation's history;
43 WHEREAS, the 100th/442nd fought nobly at Monte Cassino, broke the German
44 "Gothic Line," liberated French towns such as Bruyères, Biffontaine, and Belvédère, and
45 helped to liberate and aid Holocaust survivors at Dachau;
46 WHEREAS, one of the key founders and original members of the 100th/442nd was
47 Mike Masaoka of Salt Lake City, who graduated from the University of Utah and was a
48 member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints;
49 WHEREAS, Nisei also served in the United States Army's Military Intelligence Service
50 (MIS) as military linguists in the war with Japan in the Pacific Theater;
51 WHEREAS, the MIS was credited by General MacArthur's intelligence chief, Major
52 General Charles Willoughby, with shortening the war with Japan by two years and saving
53 countless lives as the "eyes and ears" of American and Allied forces in the Pacific;
54 WHEREAS, the MIS also served in key roles following the war during the Allied
55 occupation of Japan and helped establish close relations between Japan and the United States
56 that have lasted ever since;
57 WHEREAS, the MIS is considered to be among the founding organizations of the
58 Defense Language Institute, the center that trains military linguists for the United States Armed
59 Forces today;
60 WHEREAS, Nisei women rose to the call to action during the war and served in the
61 Women's Army Corps and Cadet Nurse Corps;
62 WHEREAS, the 100th/442nd and MIS were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in
63 2011 for their exemplary service and patriotism;
64 WHEREAS, the United States Postal Service is considering a commemorative stamp
65 proposal that would tell the inspiring story of the patriotic service of Japanese Americans
66 during World War II through a stamp featuring the National Japanese American Memorial to
67 Patriotism, located in Washington, D.C.;
68 WHEREAS, in a letter written in support of this commemorative stamp, the Utah
69 chapters of the Japanese American Citizens League requested the Legislature's assistance "to
70 honor this important chapter, not only in Utah's history, but in our nation's history as well";
71 WHEREAS, in a letter written in support of this commemorative stamp, Utah Governor
72 Gary R. Herbert stated, "the issuance of this stamp would be a small, but important step in
73 recognizing those worthy of praise, and in making certain the injustices of our past are never
74 replicated in our nation's future";
75 WHEREAS, in a letter written in support of this commemorative stamp, Utah Attorney
76 General and fourth generation Japanese American, Sean D. Reyes, said, "America is a stronger
77 and richer nation because of the many significant contributions made to her by the patriotic and
78 hard-working men and women of the Japanese American community. I think it is most fitting
79 to recognize the greatness of America and Japanese Americans through this special issuance";
80 WHEREAS, in a letter written in support of this commemorative stamp, the members
81 of the Utah delegation to the United States House of Representatives declared that "this stamp
82 would be an appropriate way to help our nation commemorate this important chapter in our
83 nation's history";
84 WHEREAS, in a letter written in support of this commemorative stamp, United States
85 Senator Orrin Hatch said this proposal "tells the patriotic story, in part of the Americans of
86 Japanese Ancestry who endured the internment camps and served in our nation's military
87 during World War II"; and
88 WHEREAS, in a letter written in support of this commemorative stamp, United States
89 Senator Mike Lee said, "Japanese-Americans played an immeasurable role in defending the
90 United States and defeating the Axis powers during the Second World War. Thousands were
91 wounded and hundreds gave their lives to secure the blessings of freedom for future
92 generations, even as their own families were being denied that same freedom at home. These
93 Americans' patriotism should continually be celebrated by our country, and the lessons of their
94 sacrifices never forgotten":
95 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the
96 Governor concurring therein, urges the Postmaster General to issue a commemorative postage
97 stamp that would honor the American patriotism of the Nisei.
98 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution and the letters of support
99 from Utah Governor Gary R. Herbert, Utah Attorney General Sean D. Reyes, the members of
100 the Utah delegation to the United States House of Representatives, United States Senator Orrin
101 Hatch, and United States Senator Mike Lee be sent to the Postmaster General of the United
102 States, the members of Utah's congressional delegation, and the President of the United States.