The above bill was introduced into the Senate today by Senator Feingold under number S-1356. Attached, for your information and distribution, is a copy of the Senator's official news release....

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - CONTACT: Ari Geller (202) 224-8657

FEINGOLD INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO STUDY TREATMENT OF EUROPEAN AMERICANS AND REFUGEES DURING WORLD WAR II

WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) today introduced the Wartime Treatment of European Americans and Refugees Study Act, a bill to establish a commission to review the facts and circumstances surrounding injustices suffered by European Americans, European Latin Americans and European refugees during World War II. Senators Charles Grassley (R-IA) and Edward Kennedy (D-MA) joined Feingold as cosponsors of the bill.

We should honor and remember the millions of Americans who bravely served their country in World War II and the thousands who sacrificed their lives for the cause of freedom,�?� Feingold said. �?oBut we should also take this moment, at a time of peace, to review the U.S. government�?Ts violation of civil liberties and its failure to protect refugees facing persecution during World War II.

Thousands of German Americans, Italian Americans and other European Americans were unfairly arrested, detained, interned or relocated by the U.S. government, some remaining in custody long after World War II had ended. Many European Americans were stripped of their personal property and travel rights. This bill intends to recognize those who were harmed and discourage future occurrences of similar offenses. Additionally, Europeans, including Jewish refugees, seeking protection from persecution were denied entry into the United States. This legislation includes a review of federal refugee policy, as well as a review of the eventual fate of refugees who were denied admission into the United States, so that we can prevent such injustices from taking place in the future.

While most Americans are aware of the internment, relocation and other injustices suffered by Japanese Americans during World War II, many are unaware that the two largest foreign-born groups in the United States at that time, German Americans and Italian Americans, were also targeted by the United States government," Feingold said. "This legislation will help all Americans understand the injustices committed against European Americans, European Latin Americans and European refugees, and complete a full accounting and review of this dark chapter in our nation's history.