# Fred Korematsu Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2023

This bill awards the Congressional Gold Medal to Fred Korematsu, a Japanese American civil rights hero who fought against the U.S. government's forced internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. The Congressional Gold Medal is one of the highest civilian honors Congress can give, recognizing extraordinary achievements and contributions to American society.

Fred Korematsu refused to comply with Executive Order 9066, which forced over 120,000 Japanese Americans into internment camps after Pearl Harbor. Instead of reporting to a camp, he challenged the government in court, arguing the internment was unconstitutional. He lost his case at the time, but decades later his conviction was overturned when it became clear the government had hidden evidence and made false claims to justify the internment. Korematsu spent his later life fighting for civil rights and speaking out against injustice, becoming a symbol of resistance to discrimination.

This bill doesn't create any new laws or change how government operates. It's purely ceremonial—it honors Korematsu's legacy and acknowledges a dark chapter in American history when the government wrongly imprisoned citizens based solely on their ethnicity. By awarding him this medal, Congress is essentially saying that his courage in standing up for constitutional rights and his lifelong work for justice deserve national recognition. The medal serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting civil liberties and standing against discrimination, even when it's unpopular or costly to do so.

Fred Korematsu Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2023

Hirono, Mazie K.

Fred Korematsu Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2023 This bill provides for the award of a Congressional Gold Medal posthumously to Fred Korematsu in recognition of his contributions to civil rights, his loyalty and patriotism to the nation, and his dedication to justice and equality.