SR-205, As Adopted by Senate, December 17, 2014

            Senator Hopgood offered the following resolution:

            Senate Resolution No. 205.

            A resolution to endorse the nomination of Minoru Yasui for a 2015 Presidential Medal of Freedom.

            Whereas, The Senate believes that Minoru Yasui, a U.S. citizen and the first Japanese American member of the Oregon State Bar, who intentionally violated the World War II military curfew imposed upon Japanese Americans, serves as a role model for his courageous stance and his patriotism and full faith in the U.S. Constitution; and

            Whereas, Throughout his life, Mr. Yasui was committed to diversity and worked for equality, helping found community organizations and working as the executive director of the Denver Commission on Community Relations; and

            Whereas, Mr. Yasui helped build the redress movement, which lead to passage of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, providing an apology and reparations for Japanese Americans interned during World War II; and

            Whereas, By awarding the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Mr. Yasui, a hole in a difficult chapter of American history will be filled, rightfully honor Mr. Yasui’s bravery and undaunted commitment to justice and equality throughout his life, and, at the same time, honor over 110,000 Japanese Americans who were interned during World War II; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Senate, That we endorse the nomination of Minoru Yasui for a 2015 Presidential Medal of Freedom; and be it further

            Resolved, That the members of this legislative body urge the President of the United States to award a 2015 Presidential Medal of Freedom to Mr. Yasui; and be it further

            Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States.