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Hickenlooper, Bennet Introduce Bill to Add Amache National Historic Site to the National Park System

Apr 21, 2021

Bill would incorporate Amache, a Former Japanese American Incarceration Facility in Granada, into the National Park System

Washington, D.C. – Today, Colorado U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet introduced legislation to establish the Amache National Historic Site, a former Japanese American incarceration facility outside of Granada, Colorado as part of the National Park System.

“The internment of Japanese Americans is a dark stain on our nation’s past,” said Hickenlooper, a member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee which has jurisdiction over the bill. “The Amache National Historic Site will honor those who suffered and help ensure history doesn’t repeat itself.”

“The incarceration of Japanese Americans is a shameful part of America’s history and Amache is a prominent site in that dark past,” said Bennet. “Adding Amache to the National Park System will preserve its story, so future generations learn from our mistakes. The new designation will serve as an inspiration to continue to pursue justice for all who call our state and country home.”

“The Amache Preservation Society has always wanted to do its best for the Japanese American families who endured wrongful incarceration here. We appreciated when Senator Bennet visited in 2017 to tour the landmark with us and see the museum we run as local volunteers. Amache becoming a National Park System site would help alleviate the significant demands placed on us as we’ve spent countless hours maintaining this important legacy, which includes the Amache Museum and Research Center,” said the Amache Preservation Society.

“Three generations of my family from California were detained at the Granada Relocation Center known as Amache, but this is more than a West Coast Story. This is an opportunity — long overdue and relevant today — to share a time in history that has been largely forgotten and educate a wider audience. The time is right for Amache to become part of the NPS family. I thank the Members of Congress who’ve responded to our Call to Action to pass this legislation,”  said Mitch Homma, Amache Descendant, Amache Historical Society II & American Baptist Historical Society Vice President.

“We are grateful Senators Bennet and Hickenlooper have introduced this companion bill and we strongly support the passage of this legislation in Congress. Amache deserves to be recognized as a National Historic Site. We hope this guarantees that its history, importance, and symbolism will be shared for generations to come.  Though we often conveniently ignore this fact, much work is needed to reach our shared aspiration of justice and equity for all. This is a great opportunity to take a giant leap toward honoring those who suffered, comforting those who still struggle, and educating future generations about the harsh and lasting impacts of wrongful action,”  said Robin Lawrentz, President, Japan America Society of Southern Colorado (JASSC).

Amache was one of ten Japanese American incarceration facilities across the country. During World War II, nearly 10,000 Japanese Americans passed through Amache and over 7,000 lived there between 1942 and 1945. According to the National Park Service, today “the cemetery, a reservoir, a water well and tank, the road network, concrete foundations, watch towers, the military police compound, and trees planted by the internees still remain.” Amache is currently a National Historic Landmark maintained by the Amache Preservation Society, established by John Hopper, a social studies teacher who is currently the principal of Granada High School, and powered by student volunteers from the high school. 

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