WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and U.S. Representative Mark Takano (D-CA) introduced a bipartisan, bicameral bill to posthumously award a Congressional Gold Medal 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. In addition to Senator Hirono and Representative Takano, the legislation was also co-led by Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Representatives Jill Tokuda (D-HI), Doris Matsui (D-CA), Vince Fong (R-CA), Celeste Maloy (R-UT), and Young Kim (R-CA) in the House.
“More than 80 years ago, Fred Korematsu stood up for the rights of more than 125,000 Japanese Americans illegally incarcerated during World War II, devoting his life to fighting for justice and equality,” said Senator Hirono. “I am proud to lead this effort to recognize Mr. Korematsu for his courageous contributions and award him with the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian honor and one he rightfully deserves. May Mr. Korematsu’s legacy remind us that eternal vigilance is required of all of us and we must continue to defend the civil liberties of all people and speak out against injustice.”
“Fred Korematsu stood up for the over 125,000 Japanese Americans, including my parents, who were incarcerated under an unlawful executive order,” said Congressman Takano. “I am proud to partner with my colleagues both across the aisle and in the Senate to ensure that Fred Korematsu’s legacy is remembered for generations to come. It is only right I introduce this package on what would be Mr. Korematsu’s 106th birthday.”
“Fred Korematsu stood up for hundreds of thousands of Japanese Americans, like my great-grandfather, during a time of great peril when they were being unjustly relocated and interned during World War II,” said Congresswoman Jill Tokuda. “Korematsu’s courageous fight has become a lasting symbol of resistance to racial prejudice across the country, including Hawaii, and I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing these bills to commemorate his bravery and legacy.”
In addition to the Fred Korematsu Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2025, Senator Hirono and Representative Takano also introduced a resolution designating January 30th as “Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution” and recognizing Mr. Korematsu’s bravery and resilience in the face of adversity and encourages all people to reflect on the importance of political leadership and vigilance and on the values of justice and civil rights during times of uncertainty and emergency.
In 1942, at the age of 23, Fred Korematsu was arrested and convicted for refusing to enter the incarceration camps for Japanese Americans. After his arrest, he appealed his case all the way to the Supreme Court, which upheld his conviction based on “military necessity.” After 40 years, on November 10, 1983, Korematsu’s criminal conviction was vacated in a federal court in San Francisco. Korematsu remained a civil rights advocate throughout his life and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, from President Bill Clinton in 1998. He passed away on March 30, 2005 at the age of 86. A biography of Fred Korematsu can be found here.
In addition to Senators Hirono and Duckworth, the Fred Korematsu Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2025 was also cosponsored by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Angus King (I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Patty Murray (D-WA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Tina Smith (D-MN), Mark Warner (D-VA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR). The full text of the legislation is available here.
In addition to Senators Hirono and Duckworth, the Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties Resolution was also cosponsored by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Patty Murray (D-WA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR). The full text of the legislation is available here.
Senator Hirono first introduced legislation to award Fred Korematsu with the Congressional Gold Medal in 2019. Since 2017, she has led the effort to recognize January 30 as “Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution.”
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