THE SENATE

S.R. NO.

1

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

SENATE RESOLUTION

 

 

URGING THE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE TO ISSUE A POSTAL STAMP HONORING THE WORLD WAR II JAPANESE-AMERICAN NISEI SOLDIERS.

 

 

 

     WHEREAS, Over 20,000 Nisei (Second-generation Japanese American) enlisted in the United States Army in World War II, many from internment camps, despite the prejudice generated after the attack of Pearl Harbor by Japan in 1941; and

 

     WHEREAS, on February 1, 1943, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team was activated by President Roosevelt, stating that "Americanism is not and never was, a matter of race and ancestry."; and

 

     WHEREAS, among their many battles, Nisei soldiers in Europe fought at Monte Cassino, and they were critical in breaking the German "Gothic Line," and liberating towns such as Bruyeres, Biffontaine, and Belvedere, as well as freeing and aiding Holocaust victims from the Dachau concentration camps; and

 

     WHEREAS, the most famous Nisei unit, the 100th/442nd Regimental Combat Team also known as the "Go For Broke" regiment, was the most decorated unit for its size and length of service in American history; and

 

     WHEREAS, the 100th/442nd Regimental Combat Team’s rescue of the "Lost Battalion" was acknowledged to be one of the prominent battles in Army history in which they led a heroic drive through German lines in the Vosges Mountains in October 1944 freeing over 200 fellow American soldiers of the 36th Texas Division; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Nisei soldiers of World War II earned 21 Medals of Honor, nine Presidential Unit citations, and more than 9,000 Purple Hearts; and

     WHEREAS, Japanese American soldiers of World War II proved their loyalty through the sacrifices they made in service to the United States and the decorations and awards they earned are a permanent and indisputable record of their bravery and patriotism; and

 

     WHEREAS, in 2006 a nationwide campaign started in California to urge the United States Postal Service to issue a commemorative postage stamp to honor the contributions of the Japanese American soldiers of World War II; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Postal Service has issued stamps honoring other brave and distinguished minority veterans groups, such as Hispanic Americans recognized in 1984 and black Buffalo Soldiers in 1994; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2008, that this body hereby urges the Postmaster General to approve the issuance of a United States commemorative stamp honoring the significant contributions of the Nisei Soldiers in the United States Army during World War II and honoring their shining example of patriotic sacrifice in our nation’s history, for their service with outstanding valor despite the many obstacles against them; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to United States Postmaster General & Chief Executive Officer John Potter, Hawaii's Congressional Delegation and the Chairman of the Go For Broke National Education Center.

 

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

442nd Go For Broke; Commemorative Stamp