to individuals who were removed from their studies during World War II. Over 120,000 Americans of Japanese ancestry were forcibly removed from their homes and communities during World War II and incarcerated. Of that number, 2,567 Japanese American students were enrolled in California’s higher education institutions.
As a member of the Los Angeles Unified School District Board (LAUSD) in 2004, Assemblymember Furutani was instrumental in crafting the Japanese American Internment Diploma Resolution. The Board, under his leadership, approved the first-ever resolution to retroactively grant a high school diploma to any person who was enrolled in an LAUSD high school immediately preceding his or her internment and did not graduate as a result.
“AB 37 marks the ‘unfinished business’ of our time with respect to honoring a class of individuals who endured a grave injustice,” said Furutani.
While a number of institutions in the state and country have sought to extend due recognition to these individuals, the vast majority of institutions in which these former students were enrolled have not done so.
“These institutions have had an opportunity to extend honorary degrees to these college Nisei for more than 60 years,” said Furutani. “The fact that they have not done so is an affirmation of why AB 37 is necessary.”
“The implementation of AB 37 will require a partnership between system offices, community organizations, and Nisei individuals and their families—a process which will become clearer as the bill moves forward,” said Furutani.
AB 37 moves to the Senate for consideration |
