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United States · Bill · HR

H.R. 442 (99th)

Civil Liberties Act of 1985

openUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

3 January 1985

Last action

23 July 1986 · Committee

Status

Subcommittee Hearings Held.

Sponsors

Rep. Wright, James C., Jr. [D-TX-12], Rep. Foley, Thomas S. [D-WA-5], Rep. Long, Gillis W. [D-LA-8], Rep. Gephardt, Richard A. [D-MO-3], Rep. Rodino, Peter W., Jr. [D-NJ-10], Rep. Fish, Hamilton, Jr. [R-NY-19], Rep. Mineta, Norman Y. [D-CA-15], Rep. Matsui, Robert T. [D-CA-5], Rep. Ackerman, Gary L. [D-NY-5], Sen. Akaka, Daniel K. [D-HI], Rep. Barnes, Michael D. [D-MD-8], Rep. Bates, Jim [D-CA-44], Rep. Berman, Howard L. [D-CA-28], Rep. Biaggi, Mario [D-NY-19], Rep. Bonior, David E. [D-MI-10], Rep. Borski, Robert A. [D-PA-3], Rep. Bosco, Douglas H. [D-CA-1], Sen. Boxer, Barbara [D-CA], Rep. Carr, Bob [D-MI-8], Rep. Coelho, Anthony Lee [D-CA-15], Rep. Collins, Cardiss [D-IL-7], Rep. Conyers, John, Jr. [D-MI-13], Rep. Crockett, George W., Jr. [D-MI-13], Sen. Daschle, Thomas A. [D-SD], Rep. Dellums, Ronald V. [D-CA-9], Rep. Dixon, Julian C. [D-CA-32], Rep. Downey, Thomas J. [D-NY-2], Rep. Dymally, Mervyn M. [D-CA-31], Rep. Edgar, Robert W. [D-PA-7], Rep. Edwards, Don [D-CA-10], Del. Fauntroy, Walter E. [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Fazio, Vic [D-CA-3], Rep. Feighan, Edward F. [D-OH-19], Rep. Foglietta, Thomas M. [D-PA-1], Rep. Ford, Harold E. [D-TN-9], Rep. Frank, Barney [D-MA-4], Rep. Garcia, Robert [D-NY-18], Rep. Gejdenson, Sam [D-CT-2], Rep. Gilman, Benjamin A. [R-NY-20], Rep. Gray, William H., III [D-PA-2], Rep. Hall, Tony P. [D-OH-3], Rep. Hawkins, Augustus F. [D-CA-29], Rep. Hayes, Charles A. [D-IL-1], Rep. Horton, Frank J. [R-NY-29], Rep. Howard, James J. [D-NJ-3], Rep. Hughes, William J. [D-NJ-2], Sen. Jeffords, James M. [I-VT], Rep. Kastenmeier, Robert W. [D-WI-2]

Subjects

Discovery layer

Source updated

29 August 2025

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Summary

Civil Liberties Act of 1985 - Title I: Recognition of Injustice and an Apology on Behalf of the Nation - States that the Congress recognizes that a grave injustice was done to both citizens and resident aliens of Japanese ancestry by the evacuation, relocation, and internment of civilians during World War II. Title II: United States Citizens of Japanese Ancestry and Resident Japanese Aliens - Requests the President to offer pardons of those convicted of violating laws during the internment period whose violation was based on a refusal to accept racially discriminatory treatment. Provides that Federal departments and agencies that review applications for restitution of positions, status, or entitlement lost during the internment period shall review such applications giving full consideration to the findings of the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians. Establishes within the Treasury a Civil Liberties Public Education Fund. Authorizes appropriations for the Fund. Requires the Attorney General to pay $20,000 from the Fund to each surviving internee. Establishes a Board of Directors which shall be responsible for making disbursement from the Fund. Provides that disbursement from the Fund shall be used to: (1) sponsor research and public educational activities dealing with the internment; (2) fund studies of similar civil liberties abuses; (3) prepare and distribute hearings and findings of the Commission; and (4) promote the general welfare of the ethnic Japanese community in the United States. Title III: Aleutian and Pribilof Islands Restitution - Aleutian and Pribilof Islands Restitution Act - Establishes within the Treasury the Aleutian and Pribilof Islands Restitution Fund. Directs the Administrator of the Fund (the Aleutian/Pribilof Islands Association) to make restitution for certain Aleut losses sustained in World War II. Requires the Administrator to establish a trust of $5,000,000 and to distribute the interest of such trust for: (1) the benefit of the elderly, disabled, or seriously ill; (2) students in need of scholarship assistance; (3) preservation of Aleut cultural heritage and historical records; (4) the improvement of community centers of affected Aleut villages; and (5) other purposes to improve Aleut life. Authorizes the Administrator to rebuild and restore churches and church property damaged or destroyed in Aleut villages during World War II. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to make payments of $12,000 from the fund to each eligible Aleut for any uncompensated personal property loss. Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to implement a program for the removal and disposal of live ammunition, obsolete buildings, abandoned machinery, and other hazardous debris remaining in populated areas of the lower Alaska Peninsula and the Aleutian Islands. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to convey to the Aleut Corporation all right, title, and interest of the United States in Attu Island, Alaska. Authorizes appropriations. Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions - Provides that all documents, personal testimony, and other material collected by the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians shall be deposited in the National Archives of the United States.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

  1. 3 January 1985

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 3 January 1985

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 3 January 1985

    Introduced

    Referred to House Committee on The Judiciary.

    Source: IntroReferral

  4. 6 March 1985

    Referred

    Referred to Subcommittee on Administrative Law and Governmental Relations.

    Source: Committee

  5. 20 March 1985

    Committee

    Executive Comment Requested from DOD, Interior, Justice.

    Source: Committee

  6. 28 April 1986

    Committee

    Subcommittee Hearings Held.

    Source: Committee

  7. 23 July 1986

    Committee

    Subcommittee Hearings Held.

    Source: Committee

Votes

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Versions

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Documents

1 official file

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Sponsors

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Related records

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Sources

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