FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CR

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1998

(202) 616-2765

WWW.USDOJ.GOV

TDD (202) 514-1888

ATTORNEY GENERAL RENO CELEBRATES SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION

OF REDRESS PROGRAM FOR JAPANESE AMERICANS

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Attorney General Janet Reno today celebrated the successful completion of a program that has paid out more than $1.6 billion in compensation to nearly 82,000 Japanese-Americans who were interned during World War II.

The program, which was established by the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, acknowledged, apologized and made restitution for the fundamental injustice of the evacuation, relocation and internments of Japanese-Americans during World War II. The Justice Department's Office of Redress Administration (ORA), which was created shortly after the Act was signed into law, administered the program.

"This was a tragic time in our nation's history -- a time when we forced people from their homes based solely on their race. There were no trials, no due process, and no justice," said Reno. "For the past ten years, we have sought to right this wrong."

Over the past 10 years, ORA provided an official apology and $20,000 in redress to 81,974 individuals, totaling more than $1.6 billion. The payment and apology went to individuals of Japanese ancestry, or the spouse or parent of an individual of Japanese ancestry, who was evacuated, relocated, interned, or otherwise deprived of liberty or property as a result of the government action during WWII.

"Through our ceaseless efforts, we have accounted for more than 98% of all the Japanese Americans who were interned during the war," said Acting Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Bill Lann Lee. "That's a true accomplishment."

In order to be eligible for restitution, an applicant had to be alive on August 10, 1988; a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident alien during the internment period (12/7/41 - 6/30/46); a person of Japanese ancestry or the spouse or parent of a person of Japanese ancestry; and, evacuated, relocated, interned, or otherwise deprived of liberty or property as a result of federal government action during the internment period and based solely on their Japanese ancestry.

Since it's creation, ORA has organized more than 100 community workshops; spoken to hundreds of church, legal and community groups; conducted nationwide historical research; and, sent out thousands of letters and applications.

"Our hard work has paid off," said DeDe Greene, ORA Administrator. "Thousands of Japanese Americans have received not only compensation, but an apology as well."

The program, which stopped receiving claims on August 10, 1998, is still processing several claims that were filed by the deadline.

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