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 (1782)
Receiving redress checks and apology (141)

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141 items

img 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.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-26-39/

img 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.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-26-17/

img 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.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-26-37/

img 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.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-26-42/

img 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.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-26-16/

img 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.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-26-40/

img 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.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-26-41/

img 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.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-26-35/

doc White House war reparation letter (ddr-densho-308-8)

When Mae Hara received her reparation letter and check, she said she was stunned. She used the money received from the government to buy a new echo organ for her church in Madison, Wisconsin. Hara dedicated the donation to the memory of her parents, Kinmatsu and Chiyoko Kanazawa.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-308-8/

doc Redress letter (ddr-densho-391-66)

Letter from Robert K. Bratt, Administrator for Redress, Redress Administration providing confirmation that the recipient's identity has been confirmed and a redress check will be issued. Attached is a blank change of address form.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-391-66/

doc Redress letter (ddr-densho-391-67)

Letter from Robert K. Bratt, Administrator for Redress, Redress Administration notifying that a redress check will be issued in October 1990 and what to do if it does not arrive by October 22, 1990.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-391-67/

img Presidential letter of apology (ddr-densho-371-3)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-371-3/

doc Letter from Robert K. Bratt about information requests to the National Archives (ddr-densho-381-51)

Robert K. Bratt, Reparations Administrator, writes to a correspondent who has requested information from the National Archives about evacuation and incarceration during World War II. He advises the correspondent that they do not need to request information directly from the National Archives because the Department of Justice is creating the Office of Reparations Administration to locate …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-381-51/

doc Office of Redress Administration letter about document review (ddr-densho-381-49)

A letter from Robert K. Bratt, Administrator for Redress, about identity confirmation and redress payments with an enclosed form.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-381-49/

doc Office of Redress Administration letter about redress payment (ddr-densho-381-50)

A letter confirming that the recipient will be receiving a redress payment with additional information about taxation and benefits.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-381-50/

doc Congress apologizes on behalf of the nation (ddr-densho-381-48)

Information on the Civil Liberties Act and eligibility for redress payments.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-381-48/

doc Redress apology letter and check (ddr-densho-415-8)

Photocopy of apology letter and redress check.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-415-8/

img Alice and Frank Endo pose with their reparation checks (ddr-densho-379-446)

Alice and Frank Endo pose with their reparation checks, as compensation for their incarceration in Rohwer Relocation Center.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-379-446/

doc Letter from Robert K. Bratt, Administrator for Redress, U.S. Department of Justice to Dear Recipient, June 29, 1990 (ddr-csujad-55-2045)

Correspondence from Robert K. Bratt to Dear Recipient regarding confirmation of eligibility for redress payments and payment schedule. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2148

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2045/

doc Letter from Paul W. Suddes, Administrator for Redress to redress recipient, October 20, 1993 (ddr-csujad-55-2114)

Correspondence from Paul Suddes to Redress Recipient which accompanied the new redress apology letter signed by President Bill Clinton. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2217

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2114/

doc Redress update (ddr-csujad-55-96)

Information about receiving redress payments per the Civil Liberties Act of 1988 for California residents who were also receiving public assistance or Medi-Cal. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_00100

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-96/

doc Letter from Robert K. Bratt, Administrator for Redress, U.S. Department of Justice to Dear Recipient or Guardian, March 30, 1990 (ddr-csujad-55-2042)

Correspondence from Robert K. Bratt to Dear Recipient or Guardian regarding a checklist of required documents for recipients of restitution payments. Includes supporting documentation submitted by George Nakamura. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2145

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2042/

doc Check for $20,000 from the United States Treasury to Toyoko Masaki (ddr-csujad-55-129)

Restitution check for $20,000 from the United States Treasury to Toyoko Masaki. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0131

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-129/

doc Letter from George Bush, President of the United States, October 1990 (ddr-csujad-55-128)

Form letter from George Bush sent to incarcerees that received a restitution payment. Includes a copy of restitution check sent to Joanne Iritani. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0130

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-128/

doc Letter and restitution check from George Bush to George Nakamura, October 1990 (ddr-csujad-55-2046)

Letter of apology from George Bush expressing recognition of the injustices committed against Japanese Americans during World War II. Includes check for $20,000 to George Hideo Nakamura. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2149

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2046/