State Legislature Honors Japanese Americans and Nisei Veterans
Last month, on February 17th and 18th, the State Legislature honored Japanese Americans and Nisei Veterans on the 67th anniversary of the signing of Executive Order 9066 and unanimously passed Senate and House Resolution 8631 and 4617 as sponsored by Senators Chris Marr (LD 6-Spokane) and Steve Hobbs (LD 44-Mill Creek), Representatives Hasegawa (LD 11-Renton) and Sharon Santos (LD 37-So. Seattle) and others. Representative Santos' bill (HJM 4005) requesting the U.S. Postal Service to issue a postage stamp in commemoration of the Nisei veterans' service in the United States Armed Forces during the Second World War also passed the House unanimously. The bill is currently scheduled for a public hearing on March 17th in the Senate Committee on Government Operations & Elections at 1:30 PM. (Subject to change). Please plan to attend, send your support and your stories to your legislators or tune into tvw.org to watch the hearing.

View transcripts or video of February's ceremonies and floor speeches

House Video: (2/17/09 House Floor Discussion -- clip opens with ceremony)

Senate Video: (2/18/09 Senate Floor Debate -- cermony begins at 29 minutes 22 seconds)