Washington Senate adopts resolution remembering forced removal and incarceration of Japanese Americans

The Washington State Senate on Feb. 18 adopted Senate Resolution 8616, a measure recognizing and remembering Japanese Americans who suffered forced removal and incarceration during World War II.

Senator Bob Hasegawa, who moved adoption of the resolution, framed the measure on the Senate floor as a reminder of constitutional protections and the need to resist contemporary threats to civil liberties. "My family history, my parents, my grandparents, my aunts, uncles, everybody in the community was sent to American concentration camps during World War II," Hasegawa said on the Senate floor, adding that the resolution reiterates the phrase "let it not happen again."

The resolution text, read on the floor, cites Executive Order 9066 (Feb. 19, 1942) and recounts the forced removal of more than 120,000 persons of Japanese ancestry, including an estimated 12,000 Washington residents. It describes the initial civilian exclusion order for Bainbridge Island residents, temporary detention at Camp Harmony in Puyallup, and later mass-incarceration sites in remote inland areas. The resolution also notes findings of the 1982 Congressional Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians that the incarcerations were the result of racial prejudice and a failure of political leadership, and it references the Civil Liberties Act of 1988.

Senator Fortunato added floor remarks honoring Japanese American service members who fought for the United States despite the injustice their families faced. "Those men that did fight, Japanese Americans that did fight for this country lost their lives. They truly are heroes," Fortunato said.

Senator Wellman drew a parallel between the historical incarceration and recent immigration and enforcement actions, saying "the words 'never again' — it's happening now," and urged vigilance on contemporary enforcement practices that can separate families.

The measure was adopted by voice vote; the presiding officer asked "As many are in favor, signify by saying 'aye.'" and the ayes were recorded. The clerk announced that the resolution was adopted.

Copies of the resolution will be transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the Nisei Veterans Committee, Densho, the Japanese American Citizens League, the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Washington State, and the Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience.

Why it matters: The resolution is symbolic but intended to keep the memory and legal lessons of Executive Order 9066 visible to lawmakers and the public. Several senators invoked family histories and constitutional text during debate, linking the remembrance to contemporary concerns about immigration enforcement and civil liberties.

Votes at a glance: Senate Resolution 8616 — Adopted by voice vote; presiding officer announced adoption.

Sources: Floor reading and remarks on Feb. 18, 2025 (Sen. Bob Hasegawa; Sen. Fortunato; Sen. Wellman).