This resolution commemorates the 83rd anniversary of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's Executive Order 9066, which led to the forced removal and incarceration of over 120,000 individuals of Japanese ancestry during World War II, including 12,000 from Washington State. It highlights the immediate impact of the evacuation orders, particularly on Japanese Americans from Bainbridge Island, who were given little time to leave their homes and were detained in makeshift centers like Camp Harmony. The resolution also acknowledges the loyalty and bravery of Japanese American soldiers, particularly those in the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, who served valiantly despite being incarcerated, and emphasizes the findings of a 1982 congressional commission that identified racial prejudice and political failure as the root causes of this injustice.

Furthermore, the resolution recognizes the long-lasting effects of this historical injustice on the Japanese American community, including economic loss and deprivation of civil liberties. It pays tribute to the efforts of activists and legislators, such as Congressman Mike Lowry, who sought reparations and an apology for the incarcerees, culminating in the Civil Liberties Act of 1988. The resolution calls for reflection on the principles of liberty and justice for all, and it directs the Secretary of the Senate to share copies of the resolution with various organizations dedicated to preserving the history and advocating for the rights of Japanese Americans.