HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.R. NO.

71

TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2002

  

STATE OF HAWAII

  
   

HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

HONORING THE 100TH INFANTRY BATTALION VETERANS ON THEIR 60TH ANNIVERSARY YEAR.

 

 

WHEREAS, this year 2002 the 100th Infantry BATTALION veterans, formerly known as Club 100, honors their 60th Anniversary as a World War II fighting unit; and

WHEREAS, in 1942 the 100th Infantry BATTALION -- the "One-Puka-Puka" -- was the first Japanese American military unity to serve overseas and through their self-sacrifice and uncommon valor, fought tenaciously and died bravely to earn for their children, wives, and parents, and for themselves, the right to be called Americans--even in death; and

WHEREAS, the 100th Infantry BATTALION fought a battle on two fronts, overseas against the Nazi invasion of Europe and the homefront where the enemy of racial prejudice had insidiously found its way into a public hysteria against a people whose only "crime" was their racial ancestry; and

WHEREAS, the 100th Infantry BATTALION through their selfless devotion and gallantry have found a place in our hearts, our nation's history and have placed to rest once and for all the suspicion and prejudice that threatened the United States; and

WHEREAS, seven valiant members of the 100th Infantry BATTALION recently were recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor, the highest most distinguished award given by the United States Army; and

WHEREAS, the motto for the 100TH INFANTRY BATTALION VETERANS is "FOR CONTINUING SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC," an example of which is their continuing dedication for over a decade to volunteer every Saturday at the National Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl to help families and friends locate names in the memorial cemetery; now, therefore,

 

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-first Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2002, that this body honors the 100th Infantry BATTALION veterans for their devotion to the cause of freedom; and for proving, through self-sacrifice and an uncommon devotion to duty, that Americanism is not and never was, a matter of race and ancestry.
 

OFFERED BY:

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