President Gerald R. Ford's Remarks Upon
Signing a Proclamation Concerning Japanese-American Internment During World War
II
February 19 is the anniversary of a very,
very sad day in American history. It was on that date in 1942 that Executive
Order 9066 was issued resulting in the uprooting of many, many loyal Americans.
Over 100,000 persons of Japanese ancestry were removed from their homes,
detained in special camps, and eventually relocated.
We now know what we should have known then --
not only was that evacuation wrong but Japanese-Americans were and are loyal
Americans. On the battlefield and at home the names of Japanese-Americans have
been and continue to be written in history for the sacrifices and the
contributions they have made to the well-being and to the security of this, our
common Nation.
Executive Order 9066 ceased to be effective
at the end of World War II. Because there was no formal statement of its
termination, there remains some concern among Japanese-Americans that there yet
may be some life in that obsolete document. The proclamation [4417] that I am
signing here today should remove all doubt on that matter.
I call upon the American people to affirm
with me the unhyphenated American promise that we have learned from the tragedy
of that long ago experience -- forever to treasure liberty and justice for each
individual American and resolve that this kind of error shall never be made
again.
Note:
The President spoke at
Source:
"Gerald R. Ford Presidential Speeches and Writings." Gerald R. Ford Library and Museum.