January 9, 2001
The President
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear Mr. President:
I am honored to provide the Department of the Interior's report
and recommendations to preserve the World War II Japanese-American
Interment sites, as directed by your November 9, 2000, memorandum.
As you requested, we consulted with States, Tribes, local and
national organizations involved in the preservation of the
Japanese-American internment sites. We have included many valuable
comments submitted as a result of these consultations in the appendix to
this report. We look forward to continuing these relationships and
continuing the work we have begun to protect these important sites.
I welcome the attention that you have shown to this important issue.
As you stated in your memorandum, the Japanese-American Internment sites
represent a tangible reminder of the grave injustice done to
Japanese-Americans. The Department looks forward to implementing these
recommendations to help ensure that this period in American history is
never forgotten.
Respectfully,
/s/ Bruce Babbitt