CC - 2008-11 - Commemorative Stamp Recognizing The Nisei Soldiers of World War IIRESOLUTION NO. 2008-11
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD,
CALIFORNIA URGING THE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE'S CITIZEN'S
STAMP ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO ISSUE A COMMEMORATIVE STAMP
RECOGNIZING THE NISEI (JAPANESE AMERICAN) SOLDIERS OF WORLD WAR II
FOR THEIR SERVICES AND COMMITMENT TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
WHEREAS, over, 20,000 Nisei (Japanese Americans) enlisted in the United States
Army in World War II, many from "internment camps", despite in prejudice
generated after the attack of Pearl Harbor by Japan in 1941; and
WHEREAS, Nisei (Japanese Americans) served in a number of capacities in the United
States Army during the World War II era both at home and abroad. Many
were born and raised here in California, including the San Gabriel Valley
and across the Southern California region; and '
WHEREAS, among their many battles, Nisei (Japanese American) soldiers in Europe
fought at Monte Cassino, and they were critical in breaking the German
"Gothic Line." They liberated towns such a Bruyeres, Biffontaine, and
Belvedere. They also freed and aided Holocaust victims from Dachau
concentration camps; and
WHEREAS, the famous unit, the 100th/442nd Regiment Combat Team also known as the
"Go For Broke" regiment, was the most decorated unit for its size and
length of service in American history; and
WHEREAS, the 1001h/442"d Regiment Combat Team's "Rescue of the Lost Battalion"
was acknowledged to be one of the prominent battles in Army history. This
battle became one of sixteen depicted in "The Army in Action" series of
paintings for the U.S. Army's Center of Military History. They led a heroic
drive through German lines in the Vosges Mountains in October 1944
freeing over 200 fellow American soldiers of the 36th Texas Division. The
state of Texas named the Nisei soldiers "Honorary Texans" for this act; and
WHEREAS, the Military Intelligence Service's key role in the Pacific,. using Nisei
(Japanese American) soldiers' knowledge of the Japanese language and
culture to help fight the enemy, was estimated by General Douglas
McArthur's intelligence chief, Major General Charles A. Willoughby, to. have
shortened the war by at least two years and saved countless lives in the
process; and
WHEREAS, the Military Intelligence Service was awarded a Presidential Unit Citation for
their contributions to the war effort; and
WHEREAS,. among their many awards, Nisei (Japanese American) soldiers of World
War II earned twenty-one Medals of Honor and a total of nine Presidential
Unit Citations; and
WHEREAS, Congress would later apologize for the en masse World War II incarceration
of American citizens and permanent residents of Japanese ancestry as "a
grave injustice" that grew mainly from "racial prejudice, wartime hysteria,
and a failure of political leadership" (Civil Liberties Act of 1988 signed into
law by President Ronald Regan).
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ROSEMEAD DOES HEREBY RESOLVE, DECLARE, AND DETERMINE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. That the City Council Supports by resolution, the national campaign for a
United States commemorative stamp honoring the significant contributions of the Nisei
(Japanese American) in the United States Army during World War II ("Nisei" means the
American-born children of Japanese immigrants).
SECTION 2. The City Council recognizes that the Nisei (Japanese American) soldiers
are a shining example of patriotic sacrifice in our nation's history, for these men served with
outstanding valor despite war hysteria and racism against them.
SECTION 3. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution and the
Resolution will be immediately sent to the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee. Copies will also
be sent to prominent Japanese American World War II veterans' organizations.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED THIS 22ND DAY OF JANUARY 2008.
Attest:
I 21 I r)~~6" 2i
GI~ o'na Molleda
City Clerk
CITY ATTORNEY
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) SS.
CITY OF ROSEMEAD )
1, Gloria Molleda, City Clerk of the City of Rosemead, do hereby certify that the
foregoing Resolution No. 2008-11 being:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ROSEMEAD, CALIFORNIA URGING THE UNITED STATES POSTAL
SERVICE'S CITIZEN'S STAMP ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO ISSUE A
COMMEMORATIVE STAMP RECOGNIZING THE NISEI (JAPANESE
AMERICAN) SOLDIERS OF WORLD WAR 11 FOR THEIR S
was duly and regularly approved and adopted by the Rosemead City Council on the 22nd
of January 2008, by the following vote to wit:
Yes:Clark, Low, Nunez, Taylor, Tran
No:Nonc
Abstain:None
Absent:None
A DA --~.aatC~~
Gloria Molleda
City Clerk