RESOLUTION
   
   

THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
COUNTY OF SAN MATEO, STATE OF CALIFORNIA

RESOLUTION HONORING

 

Japanese-American Scouts

During World War II

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WHEREAS, on February 19, 1942, Presidential Executive Order No. 9066 initiated the forced relocation of some 120,000 Japanese-Americans to 10 internment camps in California, Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Wyoming, Utah and Arkansas; and

 

WHEREAS, tens of thousands of American citizens were unlawfully stripped of properties and civil rights, solely based on their cultural ancestry; and

 

WHEREAS, thousands of children and teens, many with male relatives in prison, found themselves in the camps directionless, bored, frustrated, angry and with little adult supervision; and

 

WHEREAS, the arrival of the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts into the camps filled the void and instilled patriotism in the youth even as their country turned against them; and

 

WHEREAS, scouting created a framework upon which the young men and women built lifelong relationships that eventually benefited themselves, their communities and the country in the public as well as private sectors; and

   

WHEREAS, the 2005 first-ever reunion of interned Japanese-American scouts during World War II highlights a bright spot in what otherwise is among the darkest chapters of American history.

   

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors of San Mateo County recognizes the tremendous contribution made by the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts and commends the interned Japanese-American scouts for their perseverance, courage and successful resolve against overwhelming discrimination.

 
 

Dated: JUNE 9, 2005

 
 

SUPERVISORS:

 
     
   

RICHARD S. GORDON, PRESIDENT

     
   

MARK CHURCH

     
   


JERRY HILL

     
   


ROSE JACOBS GIBSON

     
   


ADRIENNE J. TISSIER

   
     

Attest:

_________________________________

 

Deputy Clerk of the Board of Supervisors