HOUSE RESOLUTION COMMEMORATING JANUARY 30, 2026, AS "FRED KOREMATSU DAY OF CIVIL LIBERTIES AND THE CONSTITUTION"

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N
COMMEMORATING JANUARY 30, 2026, AS "FRED KOREMATSU DAY OF CIVIL
LIBERTIES AND THE CONSTITUTION"

Introduced By:
Representatives Speakman, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Chippendale,
Ajello, Shallcross Smith, Alzate, Boylan, McGaw, and Potter

Date Introduced:
January 29, 2026

Referred To:
House read and passed
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WHEREAS, Fred Toyosaburo Korematsu was born on January 30, 1919, in Oakland,
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California, the son of Japanese immigrant parents, and was raised with a strong sense of civic
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responsibility and belief in the promise of American democracy; and
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WHEREAS, Following the United States’ entry into World War II, President Franklin
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Delano Roosevelt issued Executive Order 9066, authorizing the forced removal and detention of
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people of Japanese descent from their homes, without individualized evidence or due process; and
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WHEREAS, At the age of twenty-three, Fred Korematsu refused to comply with this
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order, asserting his constitutional rights as an American citizen, and was arrested and convicted,
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ultimately challenging the legality of Executive Order 9066 before the United States Supreme
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Court; and
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WHEREAS, Although the Supreme Court upheld his conviction in Korematsu v. United
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States, later judicial and historical findings revealed that the government had suppressed evidence
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demonstrating the absence of any legitimate security threat, and in 1983 a federal court vacated
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Fred Korematsu’s conviction; and
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WHEREAS, Fred Korematsu devoted his life to public education and advocacy for civil
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liberties, speaking out against racial discrimination and unjust government action, and was
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awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1998; and
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WHEREAS, The State of Rhode Island was founded on the radical principle that liberty
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of conscience must be protected, a belief championed by Roger Williams, who stood against

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orthodoxy and coercion in matters of belief, knowledge, and inquiry, and insisted that freedom
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requires the courage to dissent from prevailing power; and
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WHEREAS, Just as Roger Williams defended freedom of conscience and the right to
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question authority in the pursuit of truth, Fred Korematsu stood for constitutional liberty, due
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process, and equality under the law at a moment when fear and government power threatened
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those principles; and
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WHEREAS, Rhode Island’s enduring motto, “Hope,” reflects a commitment to learning
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from history, protecting individual rights, and remaining vigilant in defense of civil liberties,
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especially during times of crisis; and
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WHEREAS, Designating Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution
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provides an opportunity for civic education, reflection, and renewed dedication to the
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constitutional values that sustain a free and democratic society; and
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WHEREAS, On January 30, 2026, a public educational program will be held in
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observance of Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution, hosted by Roger
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Williams University’s Public Humanities & Arts Collaborative (The Co-Lab) in collaboration
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with the Roger Williams University School of Law, Roger Williams University's Asian American
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Alliance, Roger Williams University School of Law’s Asian Pacific American Law Student
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Association, the AAPI History Museum, Japan–America Society and Black Ships Festival of
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Rhode Island, Inc., and Communities of Hope Civic Media, bringing together students, educators,
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legal professionals, and community members to reflect on the legacy of Fred Korematsu, the
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protection of civil liberties, and the enduring responsibility to uphold constitutional principles
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through education, dialogue, and civic engagement; now, therefore be it
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RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby
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recognizes January 30, 2026, as “Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution”;
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and be it further
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RESOLVED, That this House encourages all Rhode Islanders to reflect upon the lessons
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of history and the enduring importance of standing up for constitutional rights, even when doing
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so requires courage in the face of fear or opposition; and be it further
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RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to
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transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Daniel J. McKee, Governor of the State of
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Rhode Island and to Ioannis N. Miaoulis, President of Roger Williams University.
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