CC - Item 4F - NISEI WWII Soldiers Commemorative StampE M f •
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ROSEMEAD CITY COUNCIL
STAFF REPORT
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: OLIVER CHI, CITY MANAGER
DATE: JANUARY 22, 2008
SUBJECT: NISEI WWII SOLDIERS COMMEMORATIVE STAMP
SUMMARY
The U.S. Postal Service announced that the Citizen's Stamp Advisory Committee is in
the process of formally reviewing the Nisei WWII Soldiers Commemorative Stamp
proposal. The process takes approximately three year.
The campaign for a Nisei Commemorative Stamp started over four years ago and has
receive support from more than 50 California cities. City Council asked staff to draft a
resolution supporting the issuance of a commemorative postal stamp honoring Nisei
WWII Soldiers.
Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the attached resolution supporting the
issuance of a Nisei WWII Veterans Stamp.
PUBLIC NOTICE PROCESS
This item has been noticed through the regular agenda notification process.
Prepared by:
Aileen Flores
Public Affairs Manager
Attachment A: Nisei VVWII Soldiers Commemorative Stamp Resolution
APPROVED FOR CITY COUNCIL AGENDA: 6
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RESOLUTION 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 ll, 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 100th/442nd 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
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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.
John Tran
Mayor
Attest:
Gloria Molleda
City Clerk