Petition sponsor
PLEASE CONTINUE TO HELP AFTER YOU SIGN. THE STAMP'S SUCCESS MAY DEPEND ON IT... We would especially benefit from letters of support from individuals and organizations. Learn more by reading here for ongoing campaign initiatives (updated regularly), and go to
www.niseistamp.org for more information, including where to send letters of support (and a downloadable sample form letter, as well as a blank handwritten petition).
PLEASE ASK YOUR REPS AND SENATORS TO SIGN THE 2009 CONGRESSIONAL LETTER OF SUPPORT--DEADLINE EXTENDED TO THURS, MAY 28TH!
The office of Congressman Mike Honda (CA-15) has sent a second Congressional letter of support for the stamp. Congressman Honda chairs the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC). We urge you to contact your representatives and senators to sign in support (senators can also sign, though the letter will originate in the House of Representatives).
Ask your representative and senators to sign Congressman Mike Honda's "Dear Colleague" letter in support of the Japanese American (Nisei) World War II Veterans Commemorative Stamp. A follow-up call or fax often helps in this process a day or two later if you have time. The TOLL-FREE Congress phone number can be used at (800) 828-0498. You will be asked what Congress Member you wish to contact. If you don't know the name of your representative and senators, ask the Congress Switchboard Operator for help at the 800 number above. Your home's zip code can be used to locate the people who represent you in House and Senate.
The first Congressional letter, which received 40 signers, was sent in January 2008 (see the list below). The CAPAC Board unanimously endorsed the first letter. It is hoped that a second letter will receive more than the original 40 signers.
You can also contact Congressman Honda's DC office with questions, at (202) 225-2631. Thank you.
POSTAL SERVICE MAINTAINS ANNUAL STANCE; CAMPAIGN TO CONTINUE
The Postal Service notified the Japanese American Veterans Association (JAVA) that as of their latest Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee (CSAC) meeting on April 23-24, they continue to maintain their internal guideline restricting commemorative stamps that honor "units, sub-branches, and divisions of the military." Though the stamp proposal was not officially considered at the meeting, the Postal Service did acknowledge that their Stamp Committee reviewed recent letters of support at the meeting. Stamp proposals which are not accepted can, by Postal Service policy, be reconsidered annually. Each year, the Committee has been looking at our proposal, but so far has decided not to change its stance.
The stamp campaign co-chairs, Aiko King, Fusa Takahashi, Chiz Ohira, and Wayne Osako, hold firm to the belief that the Japanese American (Nisei) WWII veterans story is worthy of a future commemorative U.S. postage stamp, and will continue to campaign. The six state resolutions for the proposal, two of which recently passed this year (in Washington and Oregon), attest to the level of support the stamp continues to receive.
An alternative proposal for a stamp to honor the Japanese American Memorial to Patriotism was announced by the Postal Service in December 2008. The proposal was generated within the Postal Service in response to the grassroots campaign for the Japanese American (Nisei) WWII veterans stamp proposal. While the campaign co-chairs are not against a Memorial to Patriotism stamp on its own merits, they hold firm to the original mandate from supporters that a commemorative stamp prominently features the veterans story. The Memorial to Patriotism is not a war memorial, and as the Memorial proposal currently stands, does not guarantee that the veterans would be highlighted at all.
The next Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee meeting will be held in July. Congressman Honda's second Congressional letter of support is currently being circulated until Friday, May 22nd (see below). Congress Members from both the House and Senate can sign on in support this week. We urge you to contact your friends and family and seek support for this letter by asking your Congress Members to sign. See the bulletin section below for more details.
SEATTLE NISEI VETERANS COMMITTEE MEMORIAL WALL FUNDRAISER
The following message is a special request by the Seattle Nisei Veterans Committee (NVC) Foundation. The NVC spearheaded efforts for the recent Washington state resolution supporting the stamp:
The NVC Foundation in Seattle has embarked on a fundraising effort to honor our Japanese American heritage with the new NVC Japanese American Memorial Wall.
This memorial is your opportunity to honor your grandparents, parents, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, and cousins – both living and deceased – who were interned during World War II as a result of Executive Order 9066 as well Japanese Americans who have fought and died for America in the military.
One section of the memorial dedicated to Japanese Americans who were interned and detained during World War II with each brick having the name of an internee and the camp or camps to which they were forcibly imprisoned by the U.S. Government. The other section honor Japanese Americans who served in the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and the Military Intelligence Service during WW II as well as other Japanese American veterans.
Having these names on bricks on this memorial wall will ensure their names will never be forgotten and their legacy will live forever. We must never forget their sacrifices and their bravery.
In order to give everyone the opportunity to participate the minimum donation is $250 per brick to ensure every family will be able to honor all of their loved ones. There is no limit to the number of bricks you can donate and for internees who served in military; you can honor them with a brick in both the internee and military sections.
Please make you tax deductible checks payable to the “NVC Foundation”. Send to
The NVC Foundation
P.O. Box 3042
Seattle, WA 98114
Go to their website for more information:
www.seattlenvc.org
Thank you!
STATE OF OREGON PASSES RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT
The state legislature of Oregon unanimously passed a resolution (HJM 8) supporting the creation of a U.S. commemorative postage stamp to honor the Japanese American (Nisei) WWII veterans on April 3rd. The effort was led by State Rep. Brian Clem and the support of the Portland JACL. We wish to thank all who submitted testimony in support of the legislation. Special thanks goes out to all who attended the committee hearing, including Mr. Kennie Namba, Mr. Art Iwasaki, and Mr. George Azumano. We appreciate all in Oregon who worked on this effort, especially Mr. Jeff Selby and those in the Portland JACL.
To read the Oregonian newspaper article on the effort, click on the following link:
http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2009/03/bill_would_urge_us_to_honor_ni.html
OREGON STATE RESOLUTION THIS WEEK - CALL FOR TESTIMONY IN SUPPORT
3/23/2009: The state legislature of Oregon will begin considering legislation in support of the campaign for the Japanese American WWII veterans commemorative stamp this week at a committee hearing. Led by State Rep. Brian Clem, the legislation, titled House Joint Memorial 8, will be heard on Thursday, March 26th. Rep. Clem has made a call for testimony in support.
House Joint Memorial 8 will be heard by the House Veterans and Emergency Services Committee on Thursday, March 26 at 1:00 PM. The committee meeting is in Hearing Room D of the Oregon State Capitol - 900 Court St. NE, Salem, Oregon. They are seeking a diverse group of individuals to speak about the extraordinary heroism of the 100th/442nd and the MIS. The Nisei veterans themselves or surviving family members may wish to share their stories with the committee. If anyone would like to submit testimony, but cannot attend the hearing on March 26, they may do so by emailing David Molina at david.molina(at)state.or.us by Wednesday, March 25, 2009. Contact Rep. Clem's legislative assistant, Dan Balm, with questions at 503-986-1421 or email: rep.brianclem(at)state.or.us . Thank you.
STATES OF WASHINGTON TAKES ACTION
3/23/2009: The nationwide movement for the stamp continues its momentum. Led by State Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos in the House, and State Sen. Steve Hobbs in the Senate, the Washington State Legislature is voting on memorial legislation in support of the stamp. They call upon the President and Congress to join Washington in urging the Postal Service to issue the stamp. HJM 4005 unanimously passed the House on Feb. 18th, and is now awaiting floor action in the Senate.
USPS RELUCTANT TO CHANGE ITS STANCE ON INTERNAL GUIDELINE BLOCKING THE STAMP
3/23/2009: The United States Postal Service continues to look at the proposal for the Japanese American World War II veterans. It's next meeting is in July. David Failor, Executive Director of Stamp Services for the Postal Service, has acknowledged that the main sticking point has been an internal guideline which is not publicly posted in its criteria. The Postal Service's stamp selection body is the 15-member Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee (CSAC), which reviews an estimated 50,000 proposals each year and recommends a select few to the Postmaster General, who has the final say. Mr. Failor explained that the CSAC has the ability to amend its guideline, established in the mid-1990s, that states "Stamps will not be issued to honor individual sub-branches, units, or divisions of the military." The CSAC claims that the Japanese American WWII veterans stamp proposal falls under this guideline, but others disagree. Representing the Japanese American Veterans Association (JAVA), Gerald Yamada countered this month in a letter to the CSAC that the guideline does not apply to this stamp proposal. Mr. Yamada argues that the proposal seeks to honor all of the Japanese Americans who served in the military during WWII, and not one particular sub-branch, unit, or division in the military.
USPS TO CONSIDER ALTERNATIVE TO THE VETERANS STAMP
3/23/2009: As a possible alternative to a stamp that directly honors the Japanese American World War II veterans, the USPS announced recently that it is considering a stamp to honor the National Japanese American Memorial to Patriotism in Washington D.C. The position of the campaign co-chairpersons Aiko King, Fusa Takahashi, Chizuko Ohira, and Wayne Osako is that while not being against such a stamp for the Memorial to Patrtiotism, it would not be acceptable as a replacement for a Japanese American World War II veterans stamp. The campaign chairpersons have requested that the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee (CSAC) change its stance on the internal guideline blocking the proposal as it applies to the possible Japanese American WWII veterans stamp
STATE RESOLUTION CAMPAIGNS UNDERWAY IN WASHINGTON AND OREGON
9/10/2008: August and September have been busy months for the campaign. While the U.S. Postal Service remains undecided on the Japanese American (Nisei) WWII veterans stamp proposal, campaigners have been busily working in the states of Washington and Oregon to show that there is ample support where they live. If you reside in these states, or have friends or family there, please pass the word.
Last week, we learned that Washington State Representative Sharon Tomiko Santos (D-Seattle) will introduce a resolution to support the stamp this coming January. This week, we learned that Oregon State Representative Brian Clem (D-Salem) has already introduced a draft for a proposed state resolution for 2009. We applaud both legislators for their bold actions to help the campaign.
POSTAL SERVICE SPECIAL SUBCOMMITTEE TO REVIEW POLICY - DECISION STILL PENDING
UPDATED 9/10/2008: The Postal Service's decision on the Japanese American WWII veterans commemorative stamp is still pending. Congressman Mike Honda's office has been checking in with the USPS Congressional Liaison regularly. The special USPS internal subcommittee has not yet been set up to decide on the USPS policy which Postal officials claim is barring the stamp. Rep. Honda, Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, led the campaign for a Congressional letter of support for the stamp last fall, which received 40 signers.
Mr. Terrence McCaffrey, Manager of the Postal Service's Stamp Development Department, announced the following in a March 24th letter to the City of Alhambra, which had sent the Postal Service a city resolution in support of the stamp this spring:
"At their January meeting, the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee discussed a proposal to honor Japanese-American World War II Veterans on a commemorative postage stamp. The idea had been rejected in the past because of the Postal Service's long-standing policy of not recognizing individual units or groups in the military.
As a result of increased interest in this and other similar subjects, a subcommittee has been formed to review the policy. There is no established timetable for the review and subjects that pertain to this category have not been placed in the under consideration category. Once the review is complete, these subjects will be presented to the Committee for discussion."
This stamp campaign has argued from the beginning that the Postal Service has a clear precedent of honoring groups in the military. Most recently, the Buffalo Soldiers were honored in 1994, and Latinos in uniform were honored with "Hispanic Americans: A Proud Heritage," in 1984. It should also be pointed out that the Tuskegee Airmen of World War II have a stamp proposal that was elevated to "under consideration" status by the Postal Service last year, which is the final step just prior to a stamp being issued. We are seeking an explanation of the Postal Service's general policy of disallowing groups in the military to be honored while some do get approved.
Our stamp campaign will continue to demonstrate support for the stamp until it receives official word that the stamp will be issued. Ongoing efforts will center around raising public awareness and support through petitions, letters of support, and resolutions. We are urging the Postal Service to issue the stamp at the earliest possible date. We encourage supporters to continue their efforts.
ILLINOIS STATE RESOLUTION PASSES
The Illinois state resolution in support of the Nisei WWII veterans commemorative stamp, HR 850, unanimously passed in the state's House of Representatives on April 9th. State Representative Constance Howard, who initiated the effort in the legislature, presented the resolution. "Their service must not be forgotten by subsequent generations," said Rep. Howard at the podium. Illinois now joins the state legislatures of Hawaii and California, which passed similar resolutions unanimously this past winter.
HR 850 was considered at a committee hearing on Wednesday, February 27th, 2008. The committee unanimously voted in favor of supporting the resolution in a 13-0, bipartisan vote, to forward the resolution to the House floor of the state legislature. JACL Midwest Regional Director, Bill Yoshino, presented testimony at the hearing, and was joined at the podium by Sam Ozaki, 442nd member and retired Chicago high school principal.
We sincerely thank Rep. Howard, Mr. Yoshino, Mr. Ozaki, and all of the supporting individuals and organizations in Illinois who helped in this state's grassroots effort. We would especially like to acknowledge the dedicated efforts of Carole Herhold of Chicago who first approached Rep. Howard about the stamp campaign this past winter. Over 200 letters of support for the resolution were gathered in support of the resolution once it was introduced by Rep. Howard and set for the hearing. Contact Rep. Howard's aide, Mr. Jude McKenna, with questions at 217-782-1014.
ALHAMBRA CITY RESOLUTION PASSES IN CALIFORNIA
The City of Alhambra, California, passed a resolution of support for the stamp on February 25, 2008. Alhambra joins over 60 cities and counties nationwide which have voiced their support. Councilman Gary Yamauchi, who is a longtime advocate for the veterans, and strong supporter of the campaign, spearheaded this effort. We are deeply grateful to Councilman Yamauchi, Mayor Luis Ayala, City Council members, and all of those who supported this effort.
COUNTY OF HAWAII PASSES RESOLUTION
The campaign was just informed this week that the County of Hawaii passed a resolution (#503-08) to support the creation of the Nisei WWII veterans stamp on February 21, 2008. They join two other counties nationwide, including the County of Maui, and County of Los Angeles, in official county expressions of support directed at the Postal Service. We wish to thank all of the those who contributed to the resolution effort on the Big Island.
BOTH HOUSES OF CALIFORNIA STATE LEGISLATURE UNANIMOUSLY PASS RESOLUTION
The California State Senate unanimously passed a resolution supporting the creation of the Nisei WWII veterans stamp on Thursday, February 7th. The State Assembly also unanimously passed a resolution two weeks earlier on Tuesday, January 22nd. Assemblyman Mike Eng spearheaded the effort on behalf of the stamp campaign coalition. We are deeply grateful to all in California who supported this statewide effort. Thank you for helping to make history!
STATE LEGISLATURE OF WASHINGTON INTRODUCES RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF STAMP
The drive for the state of Washington's memorial resolution to support the creation of a stamp to honor the Japanese American WWII veterans has apparently been postponed until 2009. Introduced on January 24th by State Senator Brian Weinstein, the legislature directs its request to President George W. Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, that "...the United States Postal Service issue a postage stamp in commemoration of the Nisei veterans' service in the United States Armed Forces during the Second World War."
STATE LEGISLATURE OF HAWAII PASSES RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF STAMP
Both houses of the Hawaii state legislature passed a resolution supporting the creation of a Nisei WWII veterans stamp on Friday, January 18th. Hawaii has become the first state to pass a resolution of support. Led mainly by Hawaii State Rep. John Mizuno, State Sen. Les Ihara, Jr., and Hawaii Lt. Gov. Duke Aiona, the state legislature speedily passed the resolution so it could be sent to the Postal Service in time for the stamp selection meeting on January 24-25th. The State of Illinois will soon be considering a resolution as well. We sincerely thank all those working at the state level to help in the campaign!
40 MEMBERS OF CONGRESS SIGN LETTER OF SUPPORT
We in the campaign wish to thank all who have contacted their representatives in Congress to support the stamp. The Congressional letter of support for the stamp, which closed on January 11th, has received 40 signers, listed below. We thank all in Congress who have signed and now support our efforts. The Congressional letter has been transmitted to the Postal Service for their Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee meeting, where members met to decide the fate of the stamp proposal on January 24-25th, along with the hundreds of other requests for stamps. They can place the proposal "under consideration," and mull over its decision, or reject it. Rejected proposals can be reviewed annually. We will notify the public as soon as we hear from the Postal Service about their decision. It may be months before we hear any word from them, so we appreciate your patience.
The following lists those in Congress who have signed in support of the stamp. Did your representative sign?
Arizona: Raul Grijalva;
California: Joe Baca, Xavier Becerra, Howard Berman, Ken Calvert, Lois Capps, Susan Davis, Sam Farr, Mike Honda, Zoe Lofgren, Doris Matsui, George Miller, Grace Napolitano, Lynn Woolsey, Lucille Roybal-Allard, Ed Royce, Linda Sanchez, Loretta Sanchez, Adam Schiff, Hilda Solis, Pete Stark;
Colorado: Mark Udall;
Connecticut: John Larson;
Florida: Alcee Hastings;
Hawaii: Neil Abercrombie, Mazie Hirono;
Illinois: Bobby Rush;
Minnesota: Betty McCollum;
New York: Joseph Crowley, Maurice Hinchey, Carolyn Maloney;
Ohio: Sen. Sherrod Brown
Oregon: David Wu;
Pennsylvania: Joe Sestak;
Texas: Al Green;
Virginia: Robert "Bobby" Scott;
Washington: Jim McDermott, Adam Smith;
American Samoa: Eni Faleomavaega;
Guam: Madeleine Bordallo.
Though it may be too late to sign the letter from Congress, lawmakers can be asked to write their own letters of support. Call the Congress Switchboard toll free at 1-800-828-0498. If you don't know the name of your representative, ask the Congress Switchboard operator for help. Your home's zip code can be used to locate the people who represent you in House and Senate.
Of course letters can also be written to your representative requesting support. Reach them on the internet as well:
Tell your U.S. Representative:
http://www.house.gov/writerep/...
Tell your U.S. Senators:
www.senate.gov/
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The Nisei WWII Veterans Stamp Campaign is a nationwide, grassroots coalition created by wives, family members and friends of the veterans. It is all-volunteer run, and funded by individual members who contribute their time and energy. Our goal is to convince the U.S. Postal Service to issue a commemorative postage stamp soon to honor the Japanese Americans who served during WWII.
The Postal Service notified us last fall that they would formally review our proposal. Their advisory meeting was on January 24-25, 2008. We will let the public know when we receive news from the Postal Service on the status of the proposal. The stamp selection process takes about three years, and our proposal will be up for a possible 2010 stamp at the soonest, so please be patient. They have no obligation to tell the campaign based on any quick timetable, so we may not hear any word for months.
The Postal Service has a history of honoring U.S. minority veterans, including Latinos in uniform in "Hispanic Americans: A Proud Heritage" (1984), and the special African American unit "Buffalo Soldiers" (1994). Anyone, from any nation, is welcome to help in this effort. Thank you!
PLEASE CONTINUE CAMPAIGNING AFTER YOU SIGN THIS INTERNET PETITION. This internet petition supplements the handwritten one. Sign both petition forms if possible. They will be sent separately. Join in our resolutions and letter-writing campaigns. It just takes a few minutes of your time. A brief letter of support can go miles for the campaign. Form letters are also available.
For more ways and resources to help assure that this stamp is issued, visit us online at
www.niseistamp.org
THANK YOU for your help! Please tell your family and friends! Start your own campaign where you are, with the people around you, working toward the same goal. Be creative, and let us know how you're doing!
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DISCLAIMER: ANY SOLICITATIONS AND ADS THAT YOU MAY ENCOUNTER ON THIS INTERNET PETITION WEBSITE ARE NOT PART OF THE STAMP CAMPAIGN. We only seek your support of the stamp campaign. This ipetitions website allowed us to post the petition for free during a short period in October 2007 in exchange for their freedom to use ads. We in the campaign apologize for any unwanted solicitations that you may have experienced at that time. We have upgraded our petition, and now you should not receive any ads or solicitations from this website.
Please email us at info@niseistamp.org if you experience this problem, or if you have any other concerns. Thank you.
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