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“WARTIME VIOLATION OF ITALIAN-AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Justice was published in the Senate section on pages S5022 on June 13, 2000.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
WARTIME VIOLATION OF ITALIAN-AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES
Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, today I wish to speak about a little known, but very dark chapter in American history. While many are familiar with the deplorable treatment of Japanese-Americans and others of Japanese ancestry living in the United States during World War II, there is far less discussion and understanding of what Italian-
Americans were forced to endure during that period.
Italian-Americans refer to what happened at this time as ``Una Storia Segreta,'' or ``A Secret Story.'' Beginning before the war and until after Italy's surrender in 1943, Italian-Americans and those of Italian decent living in the United States were made suspects simply because of their country of origin. Like Japanese-Americans, they were subjected to all manner of civil rights violations including curfews, warrantless searches, summary arrests, exclusions, relocations and even internment.
The United States must accept responsibility for its grievous treatment of Italian-Americans during World War II. To this end, Senator Torricelli has introduced S. 1909, the Wartime Violation of Italian-American Civil Liberties Act, a bill to require the Justice Department to make a full accounting of the injustices suffered by Italian-Americans during World War II. After the Justice Department completes its report, the President would formally acknowledge these injustices.
I am pleased to cosponsor this overdue legislation. Although it may be painful to revisit and admit to the mistakes made during this time, I hope my colleagues would agree that it is the necessary and right thing to do.
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