Handwritten note: "6/4/84. Sid, This letter was made available for voluntary signing at a housewarming party for Mary and Pat Kikuchi yesterday. I am somewhat surprised at the number who signed because among the Japanese community, the feelings about evacuation redress differ, and are as varied as their individual evacuation experiences. Those from 'Dallesport' (Mary Kikuchi's relatives) are some who were evacuated from Klickitat County. With exception of 1 or 2, all live, or are from this areas, or closely tied to it. Personal regards, Kara Kondo"

3601 Hillcroft Way
Yakima, Washington, 98901

June 3, 1984

Representative Sid Morrison
U.S. 4th Congressional District
Washington State
208 Cannon House Office Bldg.
Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Representative Morrison:

We, the undersigned seek your help in the passage of H.R. 4110, the Civil Liberties Act of 1983, commonly referred to as the "Redress legislation." We understand that the House Bill now has in excess of 74 co-sponsors, including Representatives Tom Foley and Mike Lowry. Both Senators Slade Gorton and Dan Evans are co-sponsors of the companion Senate Bill 2116. We urge your co-sponsorship of H.B. 4110.

You undoubtedly know of the work of the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians which held nine public hearings across the United States, including Alaska during 1981/1982. Over 750 witnesses testified before the Commission. The Commission issued its fact finding report in February 1983, followed by its recommendations to the Administration and United States Congress on June 16, 1983.

We support the Commission's recommendations, including .."[Individual compensation of $20,000 dollars to those surviving persons who were excluded from their homes pursuant to Executive Order 9066" as symbolic recognition and redress for the tragic, humiliating experience and physical losses incurred during the unjust internment in 1942.

The specific Civilian Exclusion Order No. 98, dated May 27, 1942, affected all persons of Japanese ancestry residing in Klickitat, Yakima, Kittitas and Benton Counties as well as portions of Okanogan and Chelan Counties lying west of the Columbia River. The area makes up much of Washington's Fourth Congressional District.

The Order affected approximately 1500 persons. They were mainly Nisei, the second generation Japanese, U.S. citizens, and the Issei, the first generation alien Japanese who until 1952 were denied the right of U.S. citizenship. The early Japanese came to the Yakima Valley around the turn of the century to early 1920s. Among them were the agricultural pioneers who cleared the land and introduced many new crops to a virgin, undeveloped, but rich and fertile land.

Even when knowing they were to be evacuated, the Japanese farmers cultivated and tended their farms up to the time they were transported in early June, to the Portland Livestock Exposition Center, the interim evacuation location.

Unfortunately, the extremely hostile post-war climate discouraged the return of many former Japanese residents. Some relocated in the Columbia Basin, contributing to its development.

Most of the signers are those who returned to this area. All are long-time residents of the Yakima Valley -- the "quiet Americans", independent, law-abiding contributing citizens not prone to seek assistance or favors from public sources or government on any level.

However, the mass evacuation and incarceration into internment camps has affected us personally and deeply in different ways, and to most, still unresolved.

We feel it is not an isolated Japanese-American issue, but one which must concern all Americans who must come to terms with the actions which prompted the failure of the government to safeguard the principles of democracy and justice to which this nation ascribes.

Redress is a moral and human rights issue based on the Constitutional guarantees of all Americans. Redress cannot recover for us which can never be recovered. But, by acknowledging a grievous mistake of the past by providing meaningful restitution, it is a positive step to help insure that such action will never be repeated.

We are counting on your support.

Sincerely yours,
[Signatures]

[Signatures]