Fred Korematsu (left) with Judge Marilyn Hall Patel, who ruled in his case, and Don Tamaki, a member of his legal team.
WASHINGTON — On Jan. 30, Rep. Grace Meng (D-N.Y.), chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), First Vice Chair Rep. Mark Takano (D-Riverside), Second Vice Chair Rep. Jill Tokuda (D-Hawaii), and Executive Board members Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Rep. Doris Matsui (D-Sacramento) released the following statements to celebrate the life of Japanese American civil rights leader and pioneer Fred Korematsu, who resisted the wrongful incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II, on what would have been his 106th birthday.
Korematsu was born in Oakland to parents who had immigrated to the U.S. from Japan. On Feb. 19, 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, which authorized the forced removal of Japanese Americans from the West Coast to concentration camps, yet Korematsu defied the orders. He was arrested and detained at the Presidio Stockade before being sent to the camps.
Korematsu challenged his conviction and internment, eventually bringing his case before the U.S. Supreme Court. The court’s ruling in Korematsu v. United States upheld Korematsu’s conviction and the removal orders.
By the end of World War II, more than 120,000 people of Japanese ancestry were sent to the camps, with two-thirds being American citizens. Nevertheless, Korematsu continued fighting and successfully cleared his conviction in 1983.
He pushed Congress to pass the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, which included a public apology and compensation to Japanese Americans who were incarcerated. In 1998, Korematsu was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
“Fred Korematsu was a civil rights leader who had the courage to stand up for Japanese Americans wrongfully incarcerated during World War II,” said Meng. “He stood firm in his beliefs, fighting for over 40 years to overturn his conviction and achieve justice, because he knew it was important to right this wrong. At a time when fear and prejudice threaten to once again overshadow our shared humanity, we must remember the legacy of Fred Korematsu, and stand up to injustice in all its forms.”
“Fred Korematsu stood up for the over 125,000 Japanese Americans, including my parents, who were incarcerated under an unlawful executive order,” said Takano. “Today, I am remembering Fred Korematsu by partnering with colleagues both across the aisle and in the Senate to ensure that his legacy is remembered for generations to come. It is only right I introduce this package on what would be Mr. Korematsu’s 106th birthday.”
“The story of Fred Korematsu reflects the stories of 120,000 individuals of Japanese ancestry, including my great-grandfather, who were forcibly removed from their homes, imprisoned, and stripped of their basic rights during World War II simply because of their heritage,” said Tokuda. “Fred Korematsu took a stand, refusing to accept unjust incarceration. His courageous fight has become a lasting symbol of resistance to racial prejudice and the importance of speaking out against injustice.”
“Today, we recognize Fred Korematsu for his courageous contributions in the fight against injustice,” said Hirono. “More than 80 years ago, Mr. Korematsu stood up for the rights of more than 125,000 Japanese Americans illegally incarcerated during World War II, devoting his life to fighting for justice and equality.
“At a time when underrepresented communities face an onslaught of discriminatory attacks unleashed by President Trump and his administration, Mr. Korematsu’s work is more relevant than ever and I am proud to lead efforts to honor his fight for equality. May Mr. Korematsu’s legacy remind us that eternal vigilance is required of all of us, as we continue to defend the civil liberties of all people and speak out against injustice.”
“Fred Korematsu confronted a fearful current of hate and discrimination to stand up for our most foundational rights as Americans,” said Matsui, who was born in the Poston, Ariz. camp. “Fred’s battle against the wrongful incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II taught us that we must always stand up, speak out, and unite against injustice. That we must take the time to listen and learn the lessons of the past, so we never repeat those mistakes.
“The history of the Japanese American community is a story that cannot afford to be lost in time. That’s why we continue to tell Fred’s story and teach our younger generations the perseverance and determination that has been woven into the Japanese American identity. Today, we honor Fred’s legacy of justice and equality for all.”
Sens. Hirono and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) and Reps. Takano, Matsui, and Tokuda are introducing a bicameral package of bills honoring Korematsu on the anniversary of his birthday. The bills in this package include:
- A resolution establishing a national “Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution”? (introduced by Matsui, Tokuda, Hirono, and Duckworth), which recognizes the importance of establishing Korematsu Day and encourages all people to reflect on the importance of political leadership and vigilance and on the values of justice and civil rights during times of uncertainty and emergency.
- The Fred Korematsu Congressional Gold Medal Act (introduced by Takano, Matsui, Tokuda, Rep. Vince Fong (R-Bakersfield), Rep. Young Kim (R-MissionViejo), Rep. Celeste Maloy (R-Utah), Hirono, and Duckworth), which would award posthumously a Congressional Gold Medal to Fred Korematsu in recognition of his contributions to civil rights, his loyalty and patriotism to the nation, and his dedication to justice and equality.
This legislative package is endorsed by, among other organizations, the Fred T. Korematsu Institute, Demand Progress, Japanese American Citizens League, Japanese American National Museum, National Council of Asian Pacific Americans, Densho, Asian Ameri-cans Advancing Justice | AAJC, Heart Mountain Wyoming Foundation, and National Asian American Pacific Bar Association.