On February 15, 2022 the Senate unanimously passed legislation authorizing the Amache National Historic Site in Colorado to become part of the National Park System "to preserve, protect, and interpret for the benefit of present and future generations resources associated with the incarceration of civilians of Japanese ancestry during World War II at Amache, also known as the Granada Relocation Center, and the military service of incarcerees from the Amache Center." Read the complete bill here.
Senator Michael Bennet, one of the co-sponsors of the bill in the Senate stated, "The incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II at sites like Amache is a shameful part of our country’s history. Our bill will preserve Amache’s story to ensure future generations can learn from this dark chapter in our history."
The passage of this legislation comes just ahead of the 80th anniversary of the enactment of Executive Order 9066 on February 19,1942 which led to the forced incarceration of 120,000 Japanese Americans. One of ten concentration camps, the Amache Relocation Center housed more than 7,000 men, women and children from 1942-1945. Amache survivor Bob Fuchigami stated, "I have waited many, many years to see the day where we can be certain that Amache, as a place of reflection, remembrance, honor, and healing, is protected for our current and future generations…My parents did not live to see this day. The time is not only right; it is long overdue." Read the full press release from Senator Bennet's office here.
The legislation in the Senate was sponsored by Colorado Senators Michael Bennet (D) and John Hickenlooper (D), and was passed by the House last year under the bi-partisan sponsorship of Colorado Representatives Joe Neguse (D) and Ken Buck (R).