S.Amdt. 3224

SA 3224. Mr. FEINGOLD submitted an amendment intended to be proposed
to amendment SA 3192 submitted by Mr. Specter (for himself, Mr. Leahy,
and Mr. Hagel) to the bill S. 2454, to amend the Immigration and
Nationality Act to provide for comprehensive reform and for other
purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end, add the following:

TITLE VII--WARTIME TREATMENT STUDY ACT

SEC. 701. SHORT TITLE.

This title may be cited as the ``Wartime Treatment Study
Act''.

SEC. 702. FINDINGS.

Congress makes the following findings:
(1) During World War II, the United States successfully
fought the spread of Nazism and fascism by Germany, Italy,
and Japan.
(2) Nazi Germany persecuted and engaged in genocide against
Jews and certain other groups. By the end of the war,
6,000,000 Jews had perished at the hands of Nazi Germany.
United States Government policies, however, restricted entry
to the United States to Jewish and other refugees who sought
safety from Nazi persecution.
(3) While we were at war, the United States treated the
Japanese American, German American, and Italian American
communities as suspect.
(4) The United States Government should conduct an
independent review to assess fully and acknowledge these
actions. Congress has previously reviewed the United States
Government's wartime treatment of Japanese Americans through
the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of
Civilians. An independent review of the treatment of German
Americans and Italian Americans and of Jewish refugees
fleeing persecution and genocide has not yet been undertaken.
(5) During World War II, the United States Government
branded as ``enemy aliens'' more than 600,000 Italian-born
and 300,000 German-born United States resident aliens and
their families and required them to carry Certificates of
Identification, limited their travel, and seized their
personal property. At that time, these groups were the two
largest foreign-born groups in the United States.
(6) During World War II, the United States Government
arrested, interned or otherwise detained thousands of
European Americans, some remaining in custody for years after
cessation of World War II hostilities, and repatriated,
exchanged, or deported European Americans, including
American-born children, to hostile, war-torn European Axis
nations, many to be exchanged for Americans held in those
nations.
(7) Pursuant to a policy coordinated by the United States
with Latin American countries, many European Latin Americans,
including German and Austrian Jews, were captured, shipped to
the United States and interned. Many were later expatriated,
repatriated or deported to hostile, war-torn European Axis
nations during World War II, most to be exchanged for
Americans and Latin Americans held in those nations.
(8) Millions of European Americans served in the armed
forces and thousands sacrificed their lives in defense of the
United States.
(9) The wartime policies of the United States Government
were devastating to the Italian Americans and German American
communities, individuals and their families. The detrimental
effects are still being experienced.
(10) Prior to and during World War II, the United States
restricted the entry of Jewish refugees who were fleeing
persecution and sought safety in the United States. During
the 1930's and 1940's, the quota system, immigration
regulations, visa requirements, and the time required to
process visa applications affected the number of Jewish
refugees, particularly those from Germany and Austria, who
could gain admittance to the United States.
(11) Time is of the essence for the establishment of
commissions, because of the increasing danger of destruction
and loss of relevant documents, the advanced age of potential
witnesses and, most importantly, the advanced age of those
affected by the United States Government's policies. Many who
suffered have already passed away and will never know of this
effort.

SEC. 703. DEFINITIONS.

In this title:
(1) During world war ii.--The term ``during World War II''
refers to the period between September 1, 1939, through
December 31, 1948.
(2) European americans.--
(A) In general.--The term ``European Americans'' refers to
United States citizens and permanent resident aliens of
European

[[Page S2740]]

ancestry, including Italian Americans, German Americans,
Hungarian Americans, Romanian Americans, and Bulgarian
Americans.
(B) Italian americans.--The term ``Italian Americans''
refers to United States citizens and permanent resident
aliens of Italian ancestry.
(C) German americans.--The term ``German Americans'' refers
to United States citizens and permanent resident aliens of
German ancestry.
(3) European latin americans.--The term ``European Latin
Americans'' refers to persons of European ancestry, including
Italian or German ancestry, residing in a Latin American
nation during World War II.

CHAPTER 1--COMMISSION ON WARTIME TREATMENT OF EUROPEAN AMERICANS

SEC. 711. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION ON WARTIME TREATMENT OF
EUROPEAN AMERICANS.

(a) In General.--There is established the Commission on
Wartime Treatment of European Americans (referred to in this
chapter as the ``European American Commission'').
(b) Membership.--The European American Commission shall be
composed of 7 members, who shall be appointed not later than
90 days after the date of enactment of this Act as follows:
(1) Three members shall be appointed by the President.
(2) Two members shall be appointed by the Speaker of the
House of Representatives, in consultation with the minority
leader.
(3) Two members shall be appointed by the majority leader
of the Senate, in consultation with the minority leader.
(c) Terms.--The term of office for members shall be for the
life of the European American Commission. A vacancy in the
European American Commission shall not affect its powers, and
shall be filled in the same manner in which the original
appointment was made.
(d) Representation.--The European American Commission shall
include 2 members representing the interests of Italian
Americans and 2 members representing the interests of German
Americans.
(e) Meetings.--The President shall call the first meeting
of the European American Commission not later than 120 days
after the date of enactment of this Act.
(f) Quorum.--Four members of the European American
Commission shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number may
hold hearings.
(g) Chairman.--The European American Commission shall elect
a Chairman and Vice Chairman from among its members. The term
of office of each shall be for the life of the European
American Commission.
(h) Compensation.--
(1) In general.--Members of the European American
Commission shall serve without pay.
(2) Reimbursement of expenses.--All members of the European
American Commission shall be reimbursed for reasonable travel
and subsistence, and other reasonable and necessary expenses
incurred by them in the performance of their duties.

SEC. 712. DUTIES OF THE EUROPEAN AMERICAN COMMISSION.

(a) In General.--It shall be the duty of the European
American Commission to review the United States Government's
wartime treatment of European Americans and European Latin
Americans as provided in subsection (b).
(b) Scope of Review.--The European American Commission's
review shall include the following:
(1) A comprehensive review of the facts and circumstances
surrounding United States Government actions during World War
II that violated the civil liberties of European Americans
and European Latin Americans pursuant to the Alien Enemies
Acts (50 U.S.C. 21-24), Presidential Proclamations 2526,
2527, 2655, 2662, Executive Orders 9066 and 9095, and any
directive of the United States Government pursuant to such
law, proclamations, or executive orders respecting the
registration, arrest, exclusion, internment, exchange, or
deportment of European Americans and European Latin
Americans. This review shall include an assessment of the
underlying rationale of the United States Government's
decision to develop related programs and policies, the
information the United States Government received or acquired
suggesting the related programs and policies were necessary,
the perceived benefit of enacting such programs and policies,
and the immediate and long-term impact of such programs and
policies on European Americans and European Latin Americans
and their communities.
(2) A review of United States Government action with
respect to European Americans pursuant to the Alien Enemies
Acts (50 U.S.C. 21-24) and Executive Order 9066 during World
War II, including registration requirements, travel and
property restrictions, establishment of restricted areas,
raids, arrests, internment, exclusion, policies relating to
the families and property that excludees and internees were
forced to abandon, internee employment by American companies
(including a list of such companies and the terms and type of
employment), exchange, repatriation, and deportment, and the
immediate and long-term effect of such actions, particularly
internment, on the lives of those affected. This review shall
include a list of all temporary detention and long-term
internment facilities.
(3) A brief review of the participation by European
Americans in the United States Armed Forces including the
participation of European Americans whose families were
excluded, interned, repatriated, or exchanged.
(4) A recommendation of appropriate remedies, including how
civil liberties can be better protected during war, or an
actual, attempted, or threatened invasion or incursion, an
assessment of the continued viability of the Alien Enemies
Acts (50 U.S.C. 21-24), and public education programs related
to the United States Government's wartime treatment of
European Americans and European Latin Americans during World
War II.
(c) Field Hearings.--The European American Commission shall
hold public hearings in such cities of the United States as
it deems appropriate.
(d) Report.--The European American Commission shall submit
a written report of its findings and recommendations to
Congress not later than 18 months after the date of the first
meeting called pursuant to section 711(e).

SEC. 713. POWERS OF THE EUROPEAN AMERICAN COMMISSION.

(a) In General.--The European American Commission or, on
the authorization of the Commission, any subcommittee or
member thereof, may, for the purpose of carrying out the
provisions of this chapter, hold such hearings and sit and
act at such times and places, and request the attendance and
testimony of such witnesses and the production of such books,
records, correspondence, memorandum, papers, and documents as
the Commission or such subcommittee or member may deem
advisable. The European American Commission may request the
Attorney General to invoke the aid of an appropriate United
States district court to require, by subpoena or otherwise,
such attendance, testimony, or production.
(b) Government Information and Cooperation.--The European
American Commission may acquire directly from the head of any
department, agency, independent instrumentality, or other
authority of the executive branch of the Government,
available information that the European American Commission
considers useful in the discharge of its duties. All
departments, agencies, and independent instrumentalities, or
other authorities of the executive branch of the Government
shall cooperate with the European American Commission and
furnish all information requested by the European American
Commission to the extent permitted by law, including
information collected as a result of Public Law 96-317 and
Public Law 106-451. For purposes of the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C.
552a(b)(9)), the European American Commission shall be deemed
to be a committee of jurisdiction.

SEC. 714. ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS.

The European American Commission is authorized to--
(1) appoint and fix the compensation of such personnel as
may be necessary, without regard to the provisions of title
5, United States Code, governing appointments in the
competitive service, and without regard to the provisions of
chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title
relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates,
except that the compensation of any employee of the
Commission may not exceed a rate equivalent to the rate
payable under GS-15 of the General Schedule under section
5332 of such title;
(2) obtain the services of experts and consultants in
accordance with the provisions of section 3109 of such title;
(3) obtain the detail of any Federal Government employee,
and such detail shall be without reimbursement or
interruption or loss of civil service status or privilege;
(4) enter into agreements with the Administrator of General
Services for procurement of necessary financial and
administrative services, for which payment shall be made by
reimbursement from funds of the Commission in such amounts as
may be agreed upon by the Chairman of the Commission and the
Administrator;
(5) procure supplies, services, and property by contract in
accordance with applicable laws and regulations and to the
extent or in such amounts as are provided in appropriation
Acts; and
(6) enter into contracts with Federal or State agencies,
private firms, institutions, and agencies for the conduct of
research or surveys, the preparation of reports, and other
activities necessary to the discharge of the duties of the
Commission, to the extent or in such amounts as are provided
in appropriation Acts.

SEC. 715. FUNDING.

Of the amounts authorized to be appropriated to the
Department of Justice, $500,000 shall be available to carry
out this chapter.

SEC. 716. SUNSET.

The European American Commission shall terminate 60 days
after it submits its report to Congress.

CHAPTER 2--COMMISSION ON WARTIME TREATMENT OF JEWISH REFUGEES

SEC. 721. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION ON WARTIME TREATMENT OF
JEWISH REFUGEES.

(a) In General.--There is established the Commission on
Wartime Treatment of Jewish Refugees (referred to in this
chapter as the ``Jewish Refugee Commission'').
(b) Membership.--The Jewish Refugee Commission shall be
composed of 7 members, who shall be appointed not later than
90 days after the date of enactment of this Act as follows:

[[Page S2741]]

(1) Three members shall be appointed by the President.
(2) Two members shall be appointed by the Speaker of the
House of Representatives, in consultation with the minority
leader.
(3) Two members shall be appointed by the majority leader
of the Senate, in consultation with the minority leader.
(c) Terms.--The term of office for members shall be for the
life of the Jewish Refugee Commission. A vacancy in the
Jewish Refugee Commission shall not affect its powers, and
shall be filled in the same manner in which the original
appointment was made.
(d) Representation.--The Jewish Refugee Commission shall
include 2 members representing the interests of Jewish
refugees.
(e) Meetings.--The President shall call the first meeting
of the Jewish Refugee Commission not later than 120 days
after the date of enactment of this Act.
(f) Quorum.--Four members of the Jewish Refugee Commission
shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number may hold
hearings.
(g) Chairman.--The Jewish Refugee Commission shall elect a
Chairman and Vice Chairman from among its members. The term
of office of each shall be for the life of the Jewish Refugee
Commission.
(h) Compensation.--
(1) In general.--Members of the Jewish Refugee Commission
shall serve without pay.
(2) Reimbursement of expenses.--All members of the Jewish
Refugee Commission shall be reimbursed for reasonable travel
and subsistence, and other reasonable and necessary expenses
incurred by them in the performance of their duties.

SEC. 722. DUTIES OF THE JEWISH REFUGEE COMMISSION.

(a) In General.--It shall be the duty of the Jewish Refugee
Commission to review the United States Government's refusal
to allow Jewish and other refugees fleeing persecution in
Europe entry to the United States as provided in subsection
(b).
(b) Scope of Review.--The Jewish Refugee Commission's
review shall cover the period between January 1, 1933,
through December 31, 1945, and shall include, to the greatest
extent practicable, the following:
(1) A review of the United States Government's refusal to
allow Jewish and other refugees fleeing persecution and
genocide entry to the United States, including a review of
the underlying rationale of the United States Government's
decision to refuse the Jewish and other refugees entry, the
information the United States Government received or acquired
suggesting such refusal was necessary, the perceived benefit
of such refusal, and the impact of such refusal on the
refugees.
(2) A review of Federal refugee policy relating to those
fleeing persecution or genocide, including recommendations
for making it easier for future victims of persecution or
genocide to obtain refuge in the United States.
(c) Field Hearings.--The Jewish Refugee Commission shall
hold public hearings in such cities of the United States as
it deems appropriate.
(d) Report.--The Jewish Refugee Commission shall submit a
written report of its findings and recommendations to
Congress not later than 18 months after the date of the first
meeting called pursuant to section 721(e).

SEC. 723. POWERS OF THE JEWISH REFUGEE COMMISSION.

(a) In General.--The Jewish Refugee Commission or, on the
authorization of the Commission, any subcommittee or member
thereof, may, for the purpose of carrying out the provisions
of this chapter, hold such hearings and sit and act at such
times and places, and request the attendance and testimony of
such witnesses and the production of such books, records,
correspondence, memorandum, papers, and documents as the
Commission or such subcommittee or member may deem advisable.
The Jewish Refugee Commission may request the Attorney
General to invoke the aid of an appropriate United States
district court to require, by subpoena or otherwise, such
attendance, testimony, or production.
(b) Government Information and Cooperation.--The Jewish
Refugee Commission may acquire directly from the head of any
department, agency, independent instrumentality, or other
authority of the executive branch of the Government,
available information that the Jewish Refugee Commission
considers useful in the discharge of its duties. All
departments, agencies, and independent instrumentalities, or
other authorities of the executive branch of the Government
shall cooperate with the Jewish Refugee Commission and
furnish all information requested by the Jewish Refugee
Commission to the extent permitted by law, including
information collected as a result of Public Law 96-317 and
Public Law 106-451. For purposes of the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C.
552a(b)(9)), the Jewish Refugee Commission shall be deemed to
be a committee of jurisdiction.

SEC. 724. ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS.

The Jewish Refugee Commission is authorized to--
(1) appoint and fix the compensation of such personnel as
may be necessary, without regard to the provisions of title
5, United States Code, governing appointments in the
competitive service, and without regard to the provisions of
chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title
relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates,
except that the compensation of any employee of the
Commission may not exceed a rate equivalent to the rate
payable under GS-15 of the General Schedule under section
5332 of such title;
(2) obtain the services of experts and consultants in
accordance with the provisions of section 3109 of such title;
(3) obtain the detail of any Federal Government employee,
and such detail shall be without reimbursement or
interruption or loss of civil service status or privilege;
(4) enter into agreements with the Administrator of General
Services for procurement of necessary financial and
administrative services, for which payment shall be made by
reimbursement from funds of the Commission in such amounts as
may be agreed upon by the Chairman of the Commission and the
Administrator;
(5) procure supplies, services, and property by contract in
accordance with applicable laws and regulations and to the
extent or in such amounts as are provided in appropriation
Acts; and
(6) enter into contracts with Federal or State agencies,
private firms, institutions, and agencies for the conduct of
research or surveys, the preparation of reports, and other
activities necessary to the discharge of the duties of the
Commission, to the extent or in such amounts as are provided
in appropriation Acts.

SEC. 725. FUNDING.

Of the amounts authorized to be appropriated to the
Department of Justice, $500,000 shall be available to carry
out this chapter.

SEC. 726. SUNSET.

The Jewish Refugee Commission shall terminate 60 days after
it submits its report to Congress.
______