Receiving redress checks and apology
In 1988, President Ronald Reagan signed into law the Civil Liberties Act, which, among other things, mandated an official apology from the government and monetary payments to Japanese Americans incarcerated during World War II. On October 9, 1990, more than two years after the passage of the bill, the first of the redress payments were made in a formal ceremony to elderly issei survivors in Washington, D.C. Similar ceremonies were held in cities across the country. While few of those who were incarcerated feel that the government's apology erases what was done, many believe that a formal admission of wrongdoing helped resolve feelings of shame and corrected misperceptions held by the larger society.
Redress and reparations
(941)
Receiving redress checks and apology
(136)
136 items
136 items
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Redress check presentation (ddr-densho-10-115)
Caption on reverse: "Asst. Atty. Gen'l. James Turner presents 20,000 redress check & apology to Mr. Frank Yatsu, age 104."
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Redress check presentation (ddr-densho-10-113)
Caption on reverse: "ORA presentation of first redress checks to 5 centenarians - NVC Hall - Oct. 1990."
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Issei waiting to receive their redress checks (ddr-densho-10-11)
Four Issei, all at least 100 years of age, waiting to receive their redress checks at the Nisei Veterans Hall in Seattle, Washington. Left to right: Mr. Katsuo, Ms. Wakamatsu, Mr. Ishimitsu, and Mr. Nakagawa. The fifth Issei recipient, Mr. Frank Yatsu, is not pictured. The man standing behind Ms. Wakamatsu is unidentified. The Civil Liberties …
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Redress check presentation (ddr-densho-10-114)
Caption on reverse: "ORA presentation of first redress checks. Nakagawa, Ishimitsu, Wakamatsu, Katsuo."
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Issei receiving her redress check (ddr-densho-25-131)
Assistant Attorney General John Dunne presenting a redress check to Kisa Iseri of Ontario, Oregon.
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Written apology (ddr-densho-25-125)
This written apology from former U.S. President George Bush accompanied redress checks for former camp inmates.
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Autographed photo of redress check presentation (ddr-densho-25-132)
Kisa Iseri, an Issei woman, receiving her redress check from Assistant Attorney General John Dunne.
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Redress check ceremony (ddr-densho-25-122)
Left to right: George Pfeiffer, unidentified, and Mae Yamada.
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Issei waiting to receive their redress checks (ddr-densho-26-15)
This ceremony at the Nisei Veterans Hall honored five Issei, all at least 100 years old, and presented them with their redress checks. Shown here are Mr. Katsuho (left) and Mrs. Wakamatsu.
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Issei woman waiting for her redress check (ddr-densho-26-39)
This ceremony at the Nisei Veterans Hall honored five Issei, all at least 100 years old, and presented them with their redress checks. Shown here are Norio Wakamatsu and his mother, Mrs. Wakamatsu.
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Issei man receiving his redress check (ddr-densho-26-17)
U.S. Assistant Deputy Attorney General James Turner presenting a redress check to Mr. Frank Yatsu, 105 years old. The check-presentation ceremony, honoring five Issei who were 100 years old or more, took place at the Nisei Veterans Hall in Seattle, Washington.
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Issei waiting to receive their redress checks (ddr-densho-26-16)
This ceremony at the Nisei Veterans Hall honored five Issei, all at least 100 years old, and presented them with their redress checks. Shown here are Mr. Ishimitsu (left) and Mr. Nakagawa.
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Issei man receiving his redress check (ddr-densho-26-40)
U.S. Assistant Deputy Attorney General James Turner presenting a redress check to an Issei man. This ceremony at the Nisei Veterans Hall honored five Issei, all at least 100 years old, and presented them with their redress checks.
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Issei woman with her redress check (ddr-densho-26-41)
This ceremony at the Nisei Veterans Hall honored five Issei, all at least 100 years old, and presented them with their redress checks. Shown here is Mrs. Wakamatsu.
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Issei man waiting to receive his redress check (ddr-densho-26-35)
This ceremony at the Nisei Veterans Hall honored five Issei, all at least 100 years old, and presented them with their redress checks. Shown here is Mr. Nakagawa.
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Governor Mike Lowry at redress ceremony (ddr-densho-26-37)
This ceremony at the Nisei Veterans Hall honored five Issei, all at least 100 years old, and presented them with their redress checks.
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Issei man receiving redress check (ddr-densho-26-42)
U.S. Assistant Deputy Attorney General James Turner presenting a redress check to Mr. Frank Yatsu, 105 years old. This ceremony at the Nisei Veterans Hall honored five Issei, all at least 100 years old, and presented them with their redress checks.
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Redress compensation eligibility form (ddr-densho-153-21)
Form sent by the Justice Department's Office of Redress Administration detailing instructions for requesting redress compensation.
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Redress confirmation letter (ddr-densho-153-22)
Letter from the Justice Department's Office of Redress Administration notifying recipient of impending arrival of redress compensation check.
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Written apology (ddr-densho-153-20)
This written apology from former U.S. President George Bush accompanied redress checks for former camp inmates.
