Speech #880052985

The resolution expresses the feelings of all Americans of Japanese ancestry and their alien parents who benefited from the labors of the late Mr. Walter. and here offer it for inclusion in the RECORD: Whereas the officers and members of the Japanese American Citizens League. with 88 chapters and members in 32 States. have learned with real sorrow of the untimely passing of Congressman Francis E. Walter. late of Pennsylvania. and Whereas Congressman Walter. aware of the unfortunate wartime mistreatment and persecution of Americans of Japanese ancestry solely on account of race and cognizant of their legal. social. national. and international implications and proud of the unprecedented record of loyalty and gallantry achieved by Japanese American soldiers in World War H1. as the ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee. assumed much of the leadership in the Congress to secure corrective and remedial legislation for those of Japanese ancestry in the postWorld War II decaode. and Whereas Congressman Walter. as chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee. on Immigration and Naturalization. accepted and insisted upon the inclusion of the socalled equalityinnaturalization provisions in the monumental Immigration and Nationality Act that bears his name. thereby extending for the first time in American history the privilege of naturalization to lawfully resident aliens of Japanese ancestry. most of whom were the parents of American soldiers of Japanese ancestry who had served in our Armed Forces during World War II and had resided in this country and contributed much to its development for more than half a century. and voiding and nullifying through that enactment more than 500 National. State. and local laws sanctioned against those of Japanese ancestry solely on account of their "racial ineligibility to citizenship." while elimainatIng race as qualification for naturalization. and Whereas Congressman Walter. familiar with the Japanese Exclusion Act of 1924 and its significance in destroying the democratic forces in Japan while strengthening the military in the 1930s. also accepted and insisted upon the socalled Asian provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act that repealed the arbitrary and complete exclusionary prohibitions by extending token immigration quotas based on the national origins formula to Japan and other Asiastic countries. and Whereas Congressman Walter. recognizing the necessity for allowing husband and wife to be admitted into the United States without discrimination. included in the Immigration and Nationality Act the section authorizing nonquota immigration privileges to all spouses of American citizens. without regard to sex. thereby permitting U.S. citizen couples to remain united in their entry into this country. and Whereas Congressman Walter. understanding the years of administration of the law and of the many changes in the status of the Japanese and other Asian aliens in this country in the past quartercentury. added special provisions in the Immigration and Nationality Act that corrected inequities and injustices against those of Asian ancestry: Now. therefore. be it Resolved by the Japanese American Citizens League. That expressions of condolence and sympathy be extended to the family of the late Congressman Francis E. Walter. and that the Speaker of the House of Representatives be informed of our high esteem and regard for this outstanding and courageous lawmaker who helped make democracy more meaningful to many thousands of Americans. including particularly those of Japanese ancestry.