NEWS
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Sunnyvale Rescinds World War II-Era Resolution Against
Japanese
Sunnyvale, CA (8/31/01) – At the August 28 City
Council meeting, the City of Sunnyvale adopted a resolution rescinding a 1944
resolution that urged the U.S. Congress to remove people of Japanese descent
from the State of California. The
resolution adopted on August 28 affirmatively notes that Japanese Americans did
not and do not jeopardize or violate national security or safety, and that the
City of Sunnyvale has flourished and grown as a result of the contributions of
all people, including those of Japanese descent.
“On behalf of this Sunnyvale City Council, I offer this action to our Japanese-American citizens as a small acknowledgement of the mistake that this City made in the past,” said Mayor Jack Walker. “I offer it as a small prayer that it will not happen again.” The City’s decision to rescind the resolution is consistent with the Civil Rights Act of 1988 in which the federal government issued a formal apology for the unjust treatment and internment of Japanese Americans during World War II.
The discovery that Resolution 606, an anti-Japanese resolution, was still on the books came as a surprise to City staff. The current City Council has placed a high priority on embracing a diverse culture in Sunnyvale. The City sponsors an annual multi-cultural celebration, the International Street Faire, and has published a book, The Price of Prejudice, as a tribute to the experience of Japanese Americans during World War II.
By rescinding Resolution 606,
the City seized upon the opportunity to reaffirm their appreciation of all
people in Sunnyvale, including Japanese-Americans, for their contributions to
the community and to celebrate the richness of multi-culturalism they
bring. Several Japanese-American
representatives, including City staff and other community members, attended the
August 28 Council meeting as a symbolic gesture to accept the new resolution. The new resolution is on display at the
Sunnyvale Library.
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