Rep. Obernolte bill to raise visibility of the history of Japanese American mass incarceration during WWII gains traction in U.S. House of Representatives

U.S. Representative Jay Obernolte introduced a new bill on Thursday to protect and promote the history of Japanese American mass incarceration during World War II through a new network of historic sites administered by the National Park Service. The bill, H.R. 6434, has gained rapid traction in the U.S. House of Representatives, with a hearing already scheduled for February 3 in the House Natural Resources Committee.

“The history of Japanese American internment during World War II runs through the Western United States from the Manzanar Relocation Center in Inyo County to detention centers scattered across our state of California. It is a tragic part of the life stories of the thousands who lost their liberties in the face of fear and uncertainty, and it is a part of this nation’s history that must be told,” said Rep. Obernolte. “The power of history is to gain perspective and learn from our past. By bringing transparency to the story of Japanese American internment, we can ensure such injustice never again occurs within our country.”

The Japanese American World War II History Network will provide a platform to increase access and promote heritage tourism to federal, state, and privately-owned sites linked to Japanese American mass incarceration during World War II. This would significantly improve awareness for potentially hundreds of sites across the United States and help to tell the stories of the more than 120,000 Japanese Americans who faced discrimination, involuntary relocation and confinement during the war.

Using the model of existing networks, including the African American Civil Rights Network, the Underground Railroad Network to Freedom and the Reconstruction Era National Historic Network, the National Park Service would create a map showing locations on the network, a brief history of each site and information on whether sites are open or closed to the public. Users will be empowered to use an interactive map to explore different areas, learn about the journeys of Japanese Americans during World War II and plan visits to historic and cultural sites.

A hearing on Rep. Obernolte’s H.R. 6434 is scheduled to take place in the House Natural Resources Committee’s Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands on Thursday, February 3.