Press Releases

Smith Applauds Grants to Densho & Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience

Washington, D.C. – The National Park Service has announced $1.2 million in grants to preserve and interpret World War II Japanese American Confinement Sites. This second round of grants is in addition to $1.6 million awarded earlier this year for a total of $2.8 million.

August 23, 2017

“Congratulations to Densho and the Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience for being awarded these competitive grants to help preserve crucial lessons from our past to help inform our present. Their projects work to maintain the memory of, and educate the public about Japanese American Confinement Sites where more than 120,000 Japanese Americans were imprisoned,” said Congressman Adam Smith. “Although Japanese American incarceration is one of the darkest chapters of American history, it is imperative for current and future generations to understand what occurred. These newly-awarded projects ensure this injustice will not be forgotten.”

Japanese American Confinement Sites grants are awarded to outstanding organizations and entities working to preserve the history of U.S. Confinement Sites where Japanese Americans were incarcerated following the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor by Japan. The grants will fund a variety of protects aimed to tell this important story through creative means.

The National Park Service has granted $452,582 to Densho for two of the organization’s projects, “Making Connections with the Japanese American Incarceration II: The Online Teacher Course” and “Sites of Shame – A Comprehensive Online Resource of the Confinement Sites.” The Wing Luke Memorial Foundation and Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience will receive $148,764 for the foundation’s project, “Inspiring Future Generations: Friends and Supporters Who Helped Those Incarcerated.”

For more details about these grants and the program, visit https://www.nps.gov/JACS/projects.html

“This week, the President has doubled down on his divisive and bigoted language. The renewed prejudice on display during his deranged press conference is further proof that Trump is morally unqualified for any elected leadership position, much less the position of President.

“There is no debate, white supremacy and racism are abhorrent ideologies. In failing to clearly disavow hate groups that seek to divide our country, the President is emboldening white supremacists and neo-Nazis. The President’s persistent efforts to excuse racist, xenophobic, and violent groups must be condemned loudly and unequivocally.” 

"The events that have unfolded today in Charlottesville, VA are incredibly tragic. The vile views espoused by White Supremacist movements must be swiftly and loudly condemned. I firmly believe that individuals have the right to express their thoughts and beliefs, but racism is unacceptable and we must be clear that it will not be tolerated. This is not who we are as a country.

"In this time of incredible frustration and division, we must stand united as a country against bigotry, racism, and intolerance. We can, and will, rise above this. The behavior on display today is reprehensible. Those responsible for the loss of lives must be brought to justice. My thoughts are with those who have been affected and their families."

Congressman Smith Presents Congressional Award Medals to Local Students at Town Hall Event

Renton, WA - Congressman Adam Smith presented Congressional Award Medals to local students at his town hall event in Tukwila on Saturday, August 12, 2017. Rep. Smith released the following statement in advance of the awards ceremony:

August 11, 2017

“It is a privilege to see young students, like our local Congressional Award Medal recipients, demonstrate personal initiative and a sincere commitment to bettering Puget Sound communities. I look forward to hearing about the accomplishments of these young leaders in the future. Their teachers, mentors, parents, and communities should all be incredibly proud of their accomplishments. It is my hope that by presenting these awards at my town hall, I can celebrate the spirit of community and service, and help to encourage more students across the District to participate in Congressional Awards Program.”

Established in 1979, the Congressional Award is the highest honor Congress bestows upon a youth civilian. In order to receive the award, these young Americans must demonstrate a commitment to voluntary public service, personal development, physical fitness, and exploration. 

9th Congressional District 2017 Congressional Award Medal Recipients

 

Bronze

Gabriel Helms

Owen Benda

Silver

Jamin Zheng

Andrew Wittenmyer

Jiayi Wang

Malav Dipankar

Angela Lin*

Gold

Nicholas Grosinger*

Jessica Waller

William Waller

*Denotes students in attendance at the town hall. Students unable to attend will receive their Congressional Award Medals at an alternate date and time.

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Medalist William "Max" Waller

Congressman Smith Commemorates the 52nd Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act

Washington, D.C. - August 6, 2017 marks the 52nd anniversary of the enactment of the Voting Rights Act (VRA) of 1965. In honor of this anniversary, Congressman Adam Smith released the following statement:

August 4, 2017

“On the 52nd anniversary of the Voting Rights Act (VRA), we celebrate one of our country’s most important civil rights laws. As we remember this landmark legislation, we must also denounce the Supreme Court’s 2013 Shelby County v. Holder ruling. This decision gutted portions of the VRA, allowing states with a history of voter discrimination the autonomy to re-implement discriminatory voting restrictions. In response to the Shelby v. Holder case, I have cosponsored the Voting Rights Advancement Act. This legislation will institute protections to combat voter discrimination across the country, responds to the rise in modern-day voter disenfranchisement, and helps restore the critical protections of the VRA.

“Suppressing voting rights is an outrageous attack on the foundation of democracy. As a member of the Congressional Voting Rights Caucus, I am committed to safeguarding the fundamental right to vote. Congress has a responsibility to protect this constitutional right, and we must do more to ensure all Americans have their voices heard at the ballot box.”