Jay Inslee: Washington's 1st Congressional District
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Supporting the Bainbridge Island Curriculum on Internment
9 September 2004
In response to the controversy surrounding the Bainbridge Island School District's social studies curriculum on the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II, U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee sent the following letter to the Superintendent of the Bainbridge Island School District:
Dr. Ken Crawford
Superintendent
Bainbridge Island School District No. 303
8489 Madison Ave. NE
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110Dear Dr. Crawford,
This letter is to offer my full support for the Bainbridge Island School District’s curriculum on the internment of Americans of Japanese descent during World War II.
This is an American story. It began right here on Bainbridge Island, when on March 30, 1942, 227 men, women and children – two-thirds of them American citizens – became the first Americans of Japanese descent to be rounded up by our military, forced to leave their homes and become the first community to be imprisoned in the Manzanar internment camp.
As the father of two children who went through Bainbridge Island schools, I believe it is important that our children learn this vital story, because like then, today we are a nation at war. Like then, there is a cloud of fear and uncertainty engulfing our nation. While we now regret those decisions that were made 62 years ago, we should not cast blame. Instead, we must use the wisdom that comes with the reflection of history, learn from our past mistakes and be ever vigilant to let it not happen again.
Sixty-two years ago, in an emotional atmosphere of war hysteria and prejudice, 120,000 Americans of Japanese descent were stripped of the basic rights and freedoms guaranteed to all persons under our Constitution. In spite of this injustice, they remained steadfast in their faith and love of their country. Indeed, of the 276 who lived here on Bainbridge Island at the outbreak of World War II, 62 served in the US military, a remarkable percentage by anyone’s standards.
One of the reasons the Bainbridge Island Japanese Americans were able to remain strong in their hearts was the outstanding support from their friends, neighbors, business associates and customers throughout our community. Perhaps most noteworthy among all of these patriots were Walt and Millie Woodward, who led the charge defending the Bill of Rights and the Constitution as the first and only newspaper to editorially oppose the internment of Americans of Japanese descent.
The courage of the Woodwards and numerous other Bainbridge Islanders to speak out for the constitutional rights of their Japanese American friends and neighbors was an uncommon act of patriotism, for the majority of people felt then – as some still do now – that the unconstitutional actions 62 years ago were justified. Indeed, some recent efforts of revisionist history have raised their voices once again.
However, decades of numerous reports, studies, books and a bipartisan federal commission have conclusively shown that the internment was an "...action (that) was taken without trial, without injury. It was based solely on race – for these 120,000 were Americans of Japanese descent. Yes, the nation was then at war, struggling for its survival – and it’s not for us today to pass judgment upon those who may have made mistakes while engaged in that great struggle. Yet we must recognize that the internment of Japanese Americans was just that – a mistake. For throughout the war, Japanese Americans in the tens of thousands remained utterly loyal to the United States."
President Ronald Reagan made that declaration when he proudly signed H.R. 442 – The Civil Liberties Act – into law on August 10, 1988, leading to an official apology from President George H.W. Bush and reparations to the remaining survivors.
It was my honor to be the prime sponsor of HR 3747 – Study for Eagledale Ferry Dock at Taylor Avenue, Washington State – which as you may recall passed unanimously in both the House and Senate and was signed into law last year by President Bush. The study is nearing completion and should be presented before Congress early next year, leading the way for official national recognition and establishment of the "Nidoto Nai Yoni – let it not happen again" memorial in Pritchard Park. The memorial will be a national treasure, telling this tragic but important story.
This story is about a group of Americans whose quiet strength, sacrifice, courage and patriotism during World War II serve as an inspiration for freedom loving people everywhere. I encourage the Bainbridge Island School District to continue telling this historic story that will hopefully inspire future generations to let it not happen again.
Very truly yours,
Jay Inslee
Member of Congress