Resolution Number: 2003-D014
Title: Reaffirm Actions on Japanese-American Internment
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred as Substituted
Final Text:

Resolved, That the 74th General Convention reaffirm previous actions taken by both Executive Council and General Conventions on the internment and redress of Japanese-Americans and Japanese Latin Americans during World War II; and be it further

Resolved, That The Episcopal Church, in reaffirming its baptismal covenant to "uphold the dignity of every human being," support the civil liberties of all, regardless of ethnicity and religious beliefs; and be it further

Resolved, That in this post 9/11 era, the Church call on the United States government to be mindful of the experience and treatment in the internment of Japanese-Americans; and be it further

Resolved, That the United States government be instructed by this deplorable history when it considers any reauthorization, expansion, or implementation of legislation or regulations relating to "The Patriot Act of 2001," H.R. 3162, which can be found at http://Thomas.loc.gov (please note no www) (click on: legislation related to the attacks of September 11, 2001).

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Minneapolis, 2003 (New York: General Convention, 2004), p. 326.

Legislative History

Author: Mr. Warren J. Wong (California)
Originating House: House of Deputies
Originating Committee: Committee on National and International Concerns

House of Deputies

The House of Deputies Committee on National and International Concerns presented its Report #41 on Resolution D014 (Japanese-American Internment in World War II: A Call for Accountability) and moved adoption of a substitute.

Original Text of Resolution:

(D014)

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 74th General Convention affirm that the internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II was a tragedy that undermined civil liberties and God-given human dignity and freedom; and be it further

Resolved, That The Episcopal Church, in reaffirming its baptismal covenant to "uphold the dignity of every human being," seek continued healing for the consequences of Japanese-American internment in World War II; and be it further

Resolved, That The Episcopal Church call upon Representative Howard Coble (6th District, North Carolina) to retract in public his remarks made on February 4th of this year regarding Japanese-American internment and to issue a full, unequivocal apology to the Japanese-American community.

Committee Substitute:

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 74th General Convention reaffirm previous actions taken by both Executive Council and General Conventions on the internment and redress of Japanese-Americans and Japanese Latin Americans during World War II; and be it further

Resolved, That The Episcopal Church, in reaffirming its baptismal covenant to "uphold the dignity of every human being," support the civil liberties of all, regardless of ethnicity and religious beliefs; and be it further

Resolved, That in this post 9/11 era, the Church call on the United States government to be mindful of the experience and treatment in the internment of Japanese-Americans; and be it further

Resolved, That the United States government be instructed by this deplorable history when it considers any reauthorization, expansion, or implementation of legislation or regulations relating to "USA PATRIOT Act," H.R. 3162, which can be found at http://Thomas.loc.gov (please note no www) (click on: legislation related to the attacks of September 11, 2001).

Motion carried

Substitute resolution adopted

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #170)

House of Bishops

The House of Bishops Committee on National and International Concerns presented its Report #13 on HD Message #170 on Resolution D014 (Japanese–American Internment in World War II: A Call for Accountability) and moved concurrence.

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #234)

Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, August 8.

Abstract:   The 74th General Convention reaffirms previous actions the internment and redress of Japanese-Americans and Japanese-Latin Americans during World War II.