Res. No. 700
Title
Resolution calling upon the Congress of the United States to censure United States Representative Howard Coble (R-NC), Chair of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security, for stating that the internment of Americans of Japanese descent in concentration camps during the Second World War was an appropriate policy of the United States government.
Body
By Council Members Liu, Barron, Brewer, Clarke, Comrie, DeBlasio, Felder, Gennaro, Gerson, Jackson, Jennings, Koppell, Lopez, Monserrate, Perkins, Rivera, Sanders, Seabrook, Vann, Weprin, Yassky and Quinn
Whereas, The United States Congress, as elected representatives of the people, must hold its members accountable for their actions; and
Whereas, United States Representative Howard Coble (R-NC) holds a leadership position in the United States Congress as Chair of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security; and
Whereas, On a WKZL-FM radio broadcast on Tuesday, February 4, 2003,
Representative Coble justified the mass imprisonment of Japanese Americans by stating that "We were at war...For many of these Japanese Americans, it wasn't safe for them to be on the street...Some probably were intent on doing harm to us, just as some of these Arab-Americans are probably intent on doing harm to us," and
Whereas, Representative Coble's statement is an insult to the many Japanese and
Arab Americans who have contributed to the strength and vitality of the United States, including thousands of veterans who fought and died during our nation's wars; and
Whereas, Furthermore, Representative Coble's statement contradicts an official apology signed by President Reagan in 1988 authorizing reparations of $20,000 for each surviving Japanese American concentration camp survivor; and
Whereas, No United States government official, including those holding leadership positions in Congress, should be allowed to engage in racial scapegoating; now, therefore be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the Congress of the United States to censure United States Representative Howard Coble (R-NC), Chair of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security, for stating that the internment of Americans of Japanese descent in concentration camps during the Second World War was an appropriate policy of the United States government.
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