House Proceeding 05-13-09 on May 13th, 2009 :: 1:27:30 to 1:34:45
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1:27:29 to 1:27:52( Edit History Discussion )

Eni F. H. Faleomavaega: collectively to the u.s. army's 111th battalio team. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from minnesota is recognized. mr. paulsen: i have no other speakers, i reserve of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from north carolina. mr. watt: i yield as much time

1:27:30 to 1:34:45( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Eni F. H. Faleomavaega

1:27:53 to 1:28:14( Edit History Discussion )

Eni F. H. Faleomavaega: as he may consume to the gentleman from american samoa, mr. faleomavaega. sprolet the gentleman is recognized for as much time as he may consume. mr. faleomavaega: i ask unanimous consent to revise and extend my remarks. the speaker o tempore: without objection. mr. faleomavaega: i want to

1:28:15 to 1:28:35( Edit History Discussion )

Eni F. H. Faleomavaega: commend my good friend from of this important bill. madam speaker, i rise today in strong support of h.r. 347 to grant the congressional gold medal collectively to the 100 battalion 442nd infantry team of the united states army. in recognition of their dedicated service in world war ii.

1:28:36 to 1:28:56( Edit History Discussion )

Eni F. H. Faleomavaega: i want to also thank my colleagues from the state of haye, i'm sure they'll be here -- of hawaii, i'm sure they'll be here later, my good friends mr. abercrombie and ms. hirono. as a former member of the 442nd infantry group, i would like to share with you the

1:28:57 to 1:29:17( Edit History Discussion )

Eni F. H. Faleomavaega: contributions of tens of thousands of japanese american soldiers who volunteered to fight our nation's enemies in europe in world war ii. after the surprise attack in parole harbor on december 2, 1941, by the imperial armed forces of japan, there was such an outrage and public outcry for all, an a-out war against japan.

1:29:18 to 1:29:38( Edit History Discussion )

Eni F. H. Faleomavaega: days after the attack, presidt roosevelt and th congress immediate formally declared war against japan. out of this retaliation against japan, hundreds of thousands of americans were c cross fire. these americans happened to be of japanese ancestry. our national government immediately implemented a

1:29:39 to 1:29:59( Edit History Discussion )

Eni F. H. Faleomavaega: policy whereby over 100,000 japanese americans were forced to live in what wathen called relocation camps, but were actually more like prison or concentration camps. their lands, their homes, and their properties were confiscated by the military without any due process of law. one of our former colleagues and former secretary of transportation, congressman

1:30:00 to 1:30:21( Edit History Discussion )

Eni F. H. Faleomavaega: normmy the ta and the late congressman bob matsui of sacramento spent thearly years of their lives in these concentration camps. secretarymy net ta shared one feature of these camps where there were many machine gun nests all over the camps. everyone was told they were necessary to protect them

1:30:22 to 1:30:43( Edit History Discussion )

Eni F. H. Faleomavaega: against rioters or others who wanted to harm them. but then the secretary observed if these wereosted to guard us and protect us, why are they all directed, aimed inside the prison camp? and not outside? it was a time in our nation's history when there was so much

1:30:44 to 1:31:04( Edit History Discussion )

Eni F. H. Faleomavaega: hatred and bigotry and racism placed against our community. the white house reluctantly sthepped requests of tens of thousands of japanese americans to volunteer to join the army, thus leaving their wives, parents, brothers, and sisters behind fences in these concentration camps.

1:31:05 to 1:31:25( Edit History Discussion )

Eni F. H. Faleomavaega: as a result of such volunteerism, two combat units were organized, the 100 battalion and the 442nd infantry combat group were created and immediately sent to europe to fight our enemies there. madam speaker in my humble opinion, history speaks for its in -- for itse in documenting

1:31:26 to 1:31:49( Edit History Discussion )

Eni F. H. Faleomavaega: that none have shed their blood more valiantry than these japanese-american ldiers who served in two units while fighting enemy forces in world war ii. the military records of these two groups are without equal. these japanese american soldiers suffered an unprecedented casualty rate of

1:31:50 to 1:32:11( Edit History Discussion )

Eni F. H. Faleomavaega: 314% and received over 18,000 individual decorations, many awarded posthumously, for bravery and courage in the field of battle. these units received 53 distinguished service crosses, the second highest medal given for heroism in combat, 560 silver star the third highest

1:32:12 to 1:32:33( Edit History Discussion )

Eni F. H. Faleomavaega: in combat, 9,486 purple hearts, seven presidential unit citations, the nation's top award for combat units that were awarded these -- to these japanese american units. i find it unusual that only one medal of honor was award. nonetheless, 442nd combat group emerged as the most decorated combat unit of its size in the history of the united states

1:32:34 to 1:32:54( Edit History Discussion )

Eni F. H. Faleomavaega: army. a sad commentary, madam speaker, when these soldiers, full of decorations, coming back wounded, couldn'tet a haircut in san francisco simply because they were japanese americans. president truman was so moved by their bravery in the field of battle, as well as the sacrifices of our african-american soldiers

1:32:55 to 1:33:16( Edit History Discussion )

Eni F. H. Faleomavaega: during world war ii that he issued an executive order to finally, finally desegregate all the branches of the armed services in our nation. i am proud to say that we must recognize senator daniel linoai and spark matzenaga, both from hawaii, who distinguished

1:33:17 to 1:33:37( Edit History Discussion )

Eni F. H. Faleomavaega: themselves in battle as soldiers in these groups. it was while fighting in europe that the senator lost his arm while engaging in personal combat against two machine gun posts. for his heroism, he was atwheard distinguished service cross. as a result of a congressional

1:33:38 to 1:33:59( Edit History Discussion )

Eni F. H. Faleomavaega: mandate passed in 1999 to reviewgain the military records of these two combat units, president clinton then presented 19 additional congressional medals of honor to these japanese american soldiers who were numbered in those two combat units. the senator was also one of those recipients and i was

1:34:00 to 1:34:20( Edit History Discussion )

Eni F. H. Faleomavaega: privileged to witness this historical event at a white house ceremony. it is only proper that we honor these soldiers and their families for their patriotism and courage by awarding them with a congressional gold medal. i find it encouraging that even at times when these japanese americans were segregated and isolated bauds of eir ethnicity or racial background

1:34:21 to 1:34:41( Edit History Discussion )

Eni F. H. Faleomavaega: they managed to find the greatest courage to volunteer and fight for our country and for many other volunteers they gave the ultimate sacrifice to fight for something they strongly and truly believed in. thus truly the go-for-broke spirit. the go-for-broke slogan, madam

1:34:42 to 1:34:46( Edit History Discussion )

Eni F. H. Faleomavaega: speaker, was a pidgin english phrase the voice of haye used, meaning give it all you got,