National Japanese American Memorial Foundation Celebrates President Biden’s Signing of the Amache National Historic Site Act into Law

On Friday, March 18, 2022, President Biden signed the Amache National Historic Site Act into law. The new law moves ownership and management of Amache – the site of a former Japanese American incarceration facility used during World War II – under the protection of the National Park Service (NPS). Nearly 10,000 Japanese Americans passed through Amache, located outside Granada in southeast Colorado, and over 7,000 lived there between 1942 and 1945. 

The National Japanese American Memorial Foundation (NJAMF) celebrates the act's signing into law. Transitioning ownership and management of the site to the National Park Service ensures that future generations will have the opportunity to learn about the history of the incarceration. It also ensures that family members and survivors will be able to access the site and reflect on their experience, share their stories, and heal the pain they endured.

NJAMF extends heartfelt thanks and gratitude to Colorado Congressman Joe Neguse and Colorado Senator Michael Bennet for introducing and guiding this legislation.  NJAMF also thanks Colorado Congressman Ken Buck and Colorado Senator John Hickenlooper for lending their leadership and support.

“Congratulations to the community of Amache survivors and descendants, and to all of the dedicated individuals and organizations who have been stewards of the site over the years. This momentous milestone would not be possible without their years of hard work to preserve and share the story of Amache,“ said Mia Russell, NJAMF Director. “It is imperative that the treasured sites protected by our government to illustrate the scope of American history authentically reflect our multicultural makeup, and include the more difficult truths. Amache reflects both of these things, and will be a critical place for important educational lessons and honest conversations that all Americans will be strengthened by.”

Amache National Historic Site joins the Japanese American Memorial to Patriotism During WWII, Manzanar National Historic Site, Minidoka National Historic Site, Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial, Tule Lake National Monument, and Honouliuli National Monument, as units of the National Park Service that preserve the Japanese American incarceration experience as a significant part of our nation’s historical landscape for future generations.

“As a Minidoka descendant, we are extremely proud and grateful that another culturally significant and historic site will formally become a unit of the National Park Service,” said John Tobe, NJAMF Chair.  “Becoming an official and recognized part of NPS will allow Amache to further their outreach and efforts in educating the public.  We all benefit from adding a site where people can experience the ‘power of place’ and become more familiar with this underreported part of American history.  The public will learn not about the historic wrongs perpetuated on people of Japanese ancestry but the site will also illustrate the grit and determination of the incarcerees.”

On February 19, 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, which gave the U.S. Army the authority to remove civilians from the military zones established in Washington, Oregon, and California during WWII. This led to the forced removal and incarceration of some 120,000 Americans of Japanese ancestry living on the West Coast, who had to abandon their jobs, their homes, and their lives to be imprisoned in one of ten concentration camps scattered in desolate, remote regions of the country.

Despite having their families forcibly evacuated and imprisoned, a large number of Japanese American men and women courageously volunteered or were drafted to serve in combat — serving in the 100th Infantry Battalion, Military Intelligence Service, Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps, Army Nurse Corps, and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team with unwavering patriotism. The all-Japanese American 100th Infantry Battalion and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team became two of the most decorated and distinguished military units in our Nation’s history. Countless Japanese Americans carry forward this legacy of extraordinary service today, and their work to preserve the history of this period strengthens our Nation and our democracy.