Alfred and Susan Schmidt married in Germany in 1932, moved to the U.S. the following year, eventually working their way to Honolulu. In 1935 Alfred began a roofing business of his own, and in 1940, he and his wife became naturalized American citizens, changing their name to Smith. Their experiences with internment at various […]
A reunion and picnic for former internees and their families was held August 28, 2010 in Quakertown, Pennsylvania. Anneliese Krakau, nee Busch, former internee and also the widow of internee, Alfred, graciously hosted the event with her daughter. Eb Fuhr, who co-ordinated the event, reports that it was an outstanding success. Over ninety people attended […]
May 30-June 2, 2010—Public Law 109-441 authorized the National Park Service to create a program to encourage and support the preservation and interpretation of historic confinement sites where Japanese Americans were detained during World War II. Pursuant to this program, a grant was awarded to the United Tribes Technical College (“UTTC”), now owners of the former […]
On December 8, 2009, the 68th anniversary of the internment of the first German Americans under the U. S. Government’s Alien Enemy Control Program, the German World Alliance, in co-operation with the National Park Service and the support of the German American Internee Coalition, Maj. Arthur D. Jacobs of foitimes.com, the Steuben Society and many other German-American organizations, hosted […]
April 2009—The National Park Service (NPS) has announced that Japanese American Confinement Sites grant applications are now available for the preservation and interpretation of U.S. confinement sites where Japanese Americans were detained during World War II. Grants will be awarded to organizations and entities working to preserve historic Japanese American confinement sites and their history, […]
On March 19, 2009, the House of Representatives Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law, chaired by Representative Zoe Lofgren (CA-16) joined by Ranking Member Steven King (IA-5), convened a hearing focused on the U.S. treatment of European Americans and Latin Americans, Japanese Latin Americans, and Jewish refugees during World […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: The Wartime Treatment Study Act (H.R. 1425/S. 564), was introduced on March 10, 2009. The Immigration Subcommittee of the House Judiciary Committee has scheduled a hearing on this bipartisan legislation for Thursday, March 19, 2009 at 12 P.M. in 2237 Rayburn House Office Building. If passed, The Wartime Treatment Study Act would establish two fact-finding […]
November 2008— MiraCosta College Theatre Presents World Premiere Award Winning Play* Heartland By Anita Yellin Simons & Lauren Simon Based on true stories of German-American families during WWII, Heartland explores what can happen when fear and prejudice pit neighbor against neighbor in times of war. After the family patriarch dies, a widow and her children struggle to […]
July 3-6, 2008 What: Whose America? Who’s American? Diversity, Civil Liberties, and Social Justice? A National Conference presented by the Japanese American National Museum will examine the connections between the Japanese American experience and the historical and contemporary issues surrounding democracy and civil rights. When: July 3-6, 2008 Where: Denver, Colorado Why: Gather your friends and family from across the […]
National Park Service Establishing Grant Proposal Criteria for Japanese American Confinement Site Legislation 2007—In 2006, President Bush signed into law a bill which authorizes the National Park Service to spend up to $38 million to preserve historically significant Japanese American World War II confinement sites. Ten War Relocation Authority camps, such as Tule Lake, Heart […]