Schiff's Bill to Pay Tribute to "Go for Broke" Regiments Collects More Than 100 Cosponsors
| Thursday, February 05, 2009 | Contact: Sean Oblack (202) 225-4176 |
Schiff’s Bill to Pay Tribute to “Go for Broke” Regiments Collects More Than 100 Cosponsors
Bill honors Japanese-American World War II veterans WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Rep. Adam Schiff announced his “Go For Broke” legislation has collected more than 100 bipartisan cosponsors in less than a month. The bill seeks to pay tribute to the Japanese-American 100th Infantry Battalion and 442nd Regimental Combat Team, commonly known as the “Go For Broke” regiments, for their dedicated service to our nation during World War II by awarding them the Congressional Gold Medal. The Congressional Gold Medal is Congress’s highest civilian honor and requires two-thirds of the House to cosponsor the legislation before it can more forward. Currently, the bill has 101 cosponsors. “These men served with pride, courage and conviction, waging a war on two fronts – abroad against a forceful and oppressive fascism, and at home against the intolerance of racial injustice,” said Schiff. “At a time when they could have easily turned their backs on a country which had seemingly turned its back on them, these men chose the nobler, bolder, and more difficult route. It is long past due that Congress recognize their heroic efforts with Congress’s most prestigious award.” The Go For Broke regiments earned several awards for their distinctive service in combat, including: 7 Presidential Unit Citations, 21 Medals of Honor, 29 Distinguished Service Crosses, 560 Silver Stars, 22 Legion of Merit Medals, 15 Soldier’s Medals, 4,000 Bronze Starts and over 4,000 Purple Hearts, among numerous additional distinctions. For their size and length of service, the 100th Infantry Battalion and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team were the most decorated U.S. military units of the war. However, these regiments have yet to be honored with a Congressional Gold Medal. Last year as part of the Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act (H.R. 2638) Rep. Schiff secured $4 million for the construction of the Go For Broke National Education Center in Los Angles. The Go For Broke National Education Center will serve the roughly 16,000 Go For Broke veterans and their families by documenting their oral histories, providing volunteer veterans at the Go For Broke Monument in Los Angeles, and by conducting teacher training so this history can properly make its way into classrooms and teachers’ lesson plans.