Japanese League Makes Final Push For Congressional Gold Medals Bill

"The United States remains forever indebted to the bravery, valor, and dedication to the country these men faced while fighting a two-fronted battle of discrimination at home and fascism abroad. Their commitment and sacrifice demonstrates a highly uncommon and commendable sense of patriotism and honor"

- As reported by the U.S. House of Representatives

The JACL is on the last leg of passing the Congressional Gold Medals bill honoring the Japanese American WWII units and needs you to TAKE ACTION to get the bill passed.

Once passed, the bill will collectively grant the Congressional Gold Medal to the 100th Infantry Battalion, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and Military Intelligence Service in recognition of their dedicated service during World War II. The Congressional Gold Medal is awarded by the United States Congress and is the highest civilian award in the United States. More history of these units can be found below.

The bill has already passed in the House of Representatives and with 58 Senators already on board, there are only 9 more Senators to go. The bill is URGENT as many of the veterans are aging and co-sponsorship from 67 Senators is NEEDED by the 4th of July for the best chances of the bill passing

Who Should I Contact?

Here is a list of target Senators who are likely to Co-Sponsor by July 4, 2010. Please call their offices and ask them to support this bill. The bill number is S. 1055.

Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 for your Senator's contact number.

Alabama- Senator Jeff Sessions
Arizona- Senator John McCain
Arkansas- Senator Blanche Lincoln
Delaware- Senator Thomas Carper
Delaware- Senator Ted Kaufman
Florida- Senator George LeMieux
Florida- Senator Bill Nelson
Iowa- Senator Chuck Grassley
Kansas- Senator Sam Brownback
Kansas- Senator Pat Roberts
Kentucky- Senator Jim Bunning
Kentucky- Senator Mitch McConnel
Massachusetts- Senator Scott Brown
Maine- Senator Susan Collins
Mississippi- Senator Roger Wicker
Missouri-Senator Kit Bond
Missouri-Senator Claire McCaskill
Montana-Senator Max Baucus
Montana- Senator Jon Tester
Nebraska- Senator Ben Nelson
Nebraska-Senator Mike Johanns
Nevada-Senator Harry Reid
New Hampshire- Senator Judd Gregg
New Mexico-Senator Tom Udall
New York- Senator Charles E. Schumer
North Carolina- Senator Richard Burr
North Carolina- Senator Kay Hagan
North Dakota- Senator Kent Conrad
Ohio- Senator George Voinovich
South Carolina- Senator Jim DeMint
South Carolina- Senator Lindsey Graham
South Dakota- Senator John Thune
Tennessee-Senator Alexander Lamar
Tennessee-Senator Bob Corker
Utah- Senator Orrin Hatch
Vermont- Senator Patrick Leahy
Virginia- Senator Jim Webb
Wyoming- Senator Mike Enzi
Wyoming- Senator John Barrasso

The History of the 100th Infantry Battalion, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and the Military Intelligence Service

The 100th Infantry Battalion was predominantly Nisei and its service and dedication convinced Franklin D. Roosevelt to re-open military service for Japanese Americans, and formed the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. Both these units served bravely in the war and became the most decorated units in the United States military for their size and service.

The Military Intelligence Service (MIS) soldiers served as translators and helped infiltrate enemy lines, intercept enemy communication and worked laboriously over enemy documents, producing voluminous intelligence invaluable to Allied strategy and operations. The MIS will be amended onto the current bill.

These three units fought for courageously for America and have been awarded numerous times, including 7 Presidential Unit Citations, 21 Medals of Honor, over 4000 Purple Hearts.

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