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