Anti-internment governor honored

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Kyodo

WASHINGTON — The Japanese American Citizens League recently created an award commemorating a Colorado governor for his dedication in protecting the rights of people of Japanese descent in the United States during World War II.

     The league, established in 1929 and said to be the oldest organization for Japanese-Americans in the United States, established the Governor Ralph L. Carr Award for Courage during a gathering July 6 for those who have contributed to Japanese-Americans.

     Carr served as governor for four years from 1939 and was opposed to the internment of Japanese-Americans during the war, saying, "They have been accused of nothing" and actively accepted their migration from other states, according to the league. He died in 1950.

     The league, based in San Francisco and with more than 10,000 members, lauded Carr for adhering to his principle of protecting human rights amid the anti-Japanese sentiment that was rampant at the time.

Source: http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nn20120714b6.html#.UAGzOvXNlvM