HR 4619

In Committee

House

Japanese-Americans/WWII

Honoring Japanese-Americans who suffered relocation and internment during World War II.

Introduced (completed)
2
Committee (current stage)
3
Floor Vote (not started)
4
Opposite Chamber (not started)
5
Governor (not started)
6
Signed (not started)

This status may be delayed. See Action History below for the latest updates.

How does a bill become law?

Introduced: The bill is filed and assigned a number.
Committee: A subject-matter committee holds hearings, takes public testimony, and decides whether to advance the bill.
Floor Vote: The full chamber (House or Senate) debates and votes on the bill.
Opposite Chamber: The bill repeats the committee and floor vote process in the other chamber.
Governor: The Governor reviews the bill and decides whether to sign or veto it.
Signed: The bill has been signed into law.

Introduced: February 18, 2025

Last Action: February 19, 2025

Status: H Adopted

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AI Analysis

This analysis was generated by AI and may contain errors. It is not legal advice. Always refer to the official bill text for authoritative information.

People & CommunitiesPeople-leaningCorporate & Wealthy Interests

This resolution commemorates the 83rd anniversary of Executive Order 9066 and formally recognizes the forced removal and incarceration of Japanese-Americans during World War II, with specific attention to Washington State residents. It honors Japanese-American veterans, incarcerees, and civil rights advocates, acknowledges the harm caused, and affirms the community’s role in promoting equity and justice today.

Formally acknowledges the 83rd anniversary of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Executive Order 9066, which led to the forced removal and incarceration of over 120,000 Japanese-Americans, including 12,000 from Washington State.
Recognizes the experiences of Japanese-American residents from Bainbridge Island, who were among the first forcibly evacuated—given less than a week to abandon homes, farms, and businesses—and held in temporary detention at Camp Harmony on the Washington State Fairgrounds.
Honors the service and sacrifice of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, a segregated unit of Japanese-American soldiers, many of whom enlisted from incarceration camps, and highlights their extraordinary military record, including 21 Medals of Honor and the Congressional Gold Medal (awarded in 2010).
Acknowledges acts of civil resistance, such as those by University of Washington student Gordon Hirabayashi, who challenged unconstitutional curfews and evacuation orders and was imprisoned for his stand.
Cites the 1982 Congressional commission report that concluded the incarceration was caused by racial prejudice, war hysteria, and leadership failure—not military necessity—and caused severe economic, emotional, and constitutional harms.
Directs transmission of the resolution to key Japanese-American organizations in Washington State, including the Nisei Veterans Committee, Densho, the Japanese-American Citizens League, the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Washington State, and the Wing Luke Museum.
Encourages reflection on the national motto '...with liberty and justice for all' in light of this history and ongoing efforts to ensure equity and prevent future injustices.

Who is affected

Japanese-American community in Washington State — Honors and recognizes Japanese-American veterans, incarcerees, and civil rights activists from Washington State, especially those affected by Executive Order 9066 and the WWII incarceration program.
State agencies and institutions involved in education, history, and public memory (e.g., museums, schools) — Directs official acknowledgment and preservation of the history of Japanese-American incarceration, supporting educational and commemorative efforts.
Japanese-American civil rights and heritage organizations (e.g., Nisei Veterans Committee, Densho, JACL) — Supports ongoing advocacy and community work by Japanese-American organizations focused on civil rights, equity, and preventing future injustices.

Effective: February 19, 2025

Model: Intel/Qwen3-Coder-Next-int4-AutoRoundGenerated: Mar 19, 2026, 8:21 PM

Pro/Con Analysis

Stronger case for benefits

Potential Benefits (5)

Formal state acknowledgment of historical civil rights violations—specifically the unconstitutional incarceration of Japanese-Americans—reinforces the state’s commitment to constitutional liberties and due process, helping counteract ongoing racial scapegoating and misinformation.
Rights & LibertiesPeopleRef: Preamble & whereas clauses (especially para. 1, 2, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12)
By highlighting how racial prejudice and wartime hysteria led to mass incarceration, the resolution serves as a public education tool to prevent future civil rights emergencies rooted in xenophobia or fear-based policy-making.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Whereas clauses 2, 4, 6, 11; resolution clause 2
The resolution supports curriculum development and public history initiatives by affirming the importance of teaching this history in schools and museums—especially for students and educators seeking to understand systemic racism and civic responsibility.
EducationPeopleRef: Whereas clauses 4, 6, 12; resolution clause 2
Recognition of the psychological and intergenerational trauma suffered by incarcerees affirms the need for culturally competent mental health services and trauma-informed care for affected communities and descendants.
HealthcarePeopleRef: Whereas clauses 6, 10, 12; resolution clause 2
Honoring Japanese-American veterans and entrepreneurs who rebuilt lives and businesses after losing property during incarceration affirms economic resilience and supports inclusive economic development in Asian American communities.
Business & EmploymentPeopleRef: Resolution clause 2; transmission directive

Potential Concerns (1)

This resolution imposes no new administrative, regulatory, or fiscal obligations on state or local agencies; it only directs transmission of the resolution to specific organizations and encourages symbolic recognition. No operational burden is created.
Local GovernmentRef: N/A (symbolic resolution)

Who Is Most Affected

Japanese-American community in Washington StatePositive Impact
The resolution directly affirms the dignity, historical experience, and ongoing civil rights leadership of Japanese-Americans in Washington—especially survivors, descendants, and veterans’ families—reinforcing belonging and recognition after decades of silence or minimization.
State agencies and institutions involved in education, history, and public memory (e.g., museums, schools)Positive Impact
Museums, schools, and public agencies can use this resolution as an official mandate or endorsement to expand educational programming, oral history projects, and commemorative events—strengthening public memory infrastructure.
Japanese-American civil rights and heritage organizations (e.g., Nisei Veterans Committee, Densho, JACL)Positive Impact
Civil rights and heritage organizations gain symbolic legitimacy and political cover to deepen advocacy, secure funding, and expand programming—especially around preventing mass incarceration and racial profiling today.