Mitsuye Endo at the Topaz incarceration center, 1944.
WASHINGTON — President Biden has named 20 recipients of the Presidential Citizens Medal, including the late Mitsuye Endo Tsutsumi.
The medal is awarded to U.S. citizens who have performed exemplary deeds of service for their country or their fellow citizens. President Biden believes these Americans are bonded by their common decency and commitment to serving others. The country is better because of their dedication and sacrifice.
The awards were presented at the White House on Jan. 2, with Wayne Tsutsumi accepting on behalf of his mother.
“In a shameful chapter in our nation’s history, Mitsuye Endo was incarcerated alongside more than 120,000 Japanese Americans,” the White House said in a statement. “Undaunted, she challenged the injustice and reached the Supreme Court. Her resolve allowed thousands of Japanese Americans to return home and rebuild their lives, reminding us that we are a nation that stands for freedom for all.”
The Japanese American Citizens League said in a statement, “As it was with JACL’s urging that Endo brought forth her case, we have long advocated for presidential recognition of Endo for her actions, including passing a National Council resolution in 2014.
“We thank President Biden for acknowledging and recognizing such a monumental case and the woman behind it all …
“This award is especially fitting, as several weeks ago was the 80th anniversary of the Supreme Court decision in Ex Parte Endo to bring an end to the incarceration and allow Japanese Americans to return to the West Coast. This anniversary was commemorated in Congress by Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) …
“In addition to Sen. Hirono, we recognize that it has been several Japanese American women who have led the advocacy for recognizing Mitsuye Endo Tsutsumi including, but not limited to, Deputy Assistant to the President and AANHPI Senior Liaison Erika Moritsugu, the Endo Presidential Medal of Freedom Committee leadership Peggy Nagae and Kathryn Bannai, and former JACL Executive Director Priscilla Ouchida.
“We once again thank President Biden and the many members of the Japanese American community for their ongoing efforts in fighting for recognition of Mitsuye Endo Tsutsumi’s contribution to the Japanese American community and of her place in American history.”
Rep. Doris Matsui (D-Sacramento) said, “Mitsuye Endo Tsutsumi lived an exceptional life. Her commitment to seek justice validated the most American of ideas – that any of us, ordinary Americans, hold enormous power to have an extraordinary impact through our actions and our willingness to stand up for what is right.
“Mitsuye was a Sacramento native, graduating from Sacramento High School and eventually finding her way to a clerical job with the State of California. When Executive Order 9066 was signed, she and her family were sent to the Tule Lake, Calif., and Topaz, Utah, detention camps.
“At a time when the most angry, fearful currents of our nation held enormous power, she stepped forward to put a face and a story to the unlawful internment of Japanese Americans. Her courage stood as a beacon against her community’s wrongful incarceration. When it seemed as though the American pledge and ideal of liberty and justice for all was subject to the whims of a powerful few, she refused to back down. Her victory in the Supreme Court was a catalyst to end that dark chapter of our history.
Endo leaving the Central Utah Relocation Center in Topaz in 1945.
“Our nation’s path toward justice has not always been straight or easy. We have had to navigate vast challenges to make our country more equitable and more free. That’s why Mitsuye’s story should be told and retold. It’s a story of strength and resilience. It’s a story of justice and principle. I thank President Biden for uplifting her voice and giving her the recognition she deserves as an American hero.”
The other recipients of the Presidential Citizens Medal were:
Mary L. Bonauto, an attorney and activist who fought to legalize same-sex marriage in Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Maine before arguing before the Supreme Court in Obergefell v. Hodges, which established marriage equality as the law of the land.
Bill Bradley, a two-time NBA champion and Hall-of-Fame New York Knick who served three terms as a U.S. senator from New Jersey and was a candidate for president, advancing tax reform, water rights, civil rights, and more.
Frank K. Butler, Jr., who introduced Tactical Combat Casualty Care to the medical world, setting new standards for tourniquet use not only for injuries in war, but injuries across daily civilian life.
Elizabeth L. Cheney, a former congresswoman for Wyoming and vice chair of the committee on the Jan. 6 attack, who reached across the aisle to defend the ideals of freedom, dignity and decency.
Christopher J. Dodd, who has served with distinction for more than 50 years as a U.S. congressman, senator, respected lawyer, and diplomat.
Diane Carlson Evans, who founded the Vietnam Women’s Memorial Foundation to ensure female service members received the recognition they deserve.
Joseph L. Galloway(posthumous), a reporter who spent decades sharing first-hand accounts of horror, humanity, and heroism in battle from Vietnam to the Persian Gulf.
Nancy Landon Kassebaum, the first woman to represent Kansas and a force in the U.S. Senate who supported a woman’s right to choose and reforming health care.
Ted Kaufman, a former U.S. senator from Delaware who championed everyday Americans and public servants.
Carolyn McCarthy, who served 18 years in Congress, championing gun safety measures including improved background checks.
Louis Lorenzo Redding(posthumous), a groundbreaking civil rights advocate and the first Black attorney admitted to the bar in Delaware, where he argued against segregation.
Bobby Sager, who travels the world as a photographer and philanthropist, wielding his camera and influence to connect with people in war-torn countries.
Collins J. Seitz(posthumous), who as a state judge in Delaware became the nation’s first judge to integrate a white public school, dismantling the doctrine of “separate but equal.”
Eleanor Smeal, who led massive protests, galvanized women’s votes, steered progress for equal pay and helped the Violence Against Women Act become law.
Bennie G. Thompson, who registered Black voters in the South as a college student and chaired the House Jan. 6 Committee.
Thomas J. Vallely, who over the course of five decades has brought Vietnam and the U.S. together, fostering greater economic and cultural exchange.
Frances M. Visco, who as president of the National Breast Cancer Coalition has fought tirelessly and fearlessly to increase federal funding for breast cancer research, early detection education, and access to women’s healthcare.
Paula S. Wallace, a lifelong educator and trailblazer of the arts who established the esteemed Savannah College of Art and Design and served as its president.
Evan Wolfson, who led the marriage equality movement and helped millions of people in all 50 states win the fundamental right to love, marry, and be themselves.