U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-NY) has revived legislation that calls for an apology for the internment of Italians by the American government during WWII.

Additionally, the legislation requests the establishment of grants to fund the introduction of comprehensive Italian American history curricula in U.S. schools.

Suozzi broke the news on June 12 at the 2nd National Italian American Summit Meeting, which was organized by the Conference of Presidents of Major Italian American Organizations.

Watch his remarks, here:

The tragic story of Italian internments unfolded in 1941. U.S. authorities questioned the loyalties of Italian residents, fearing the formation of “Fifth Column” movements. U.S. leaders acted quickly to enforce restrictions against not only Italians but the Japanese and Germans, native-born and naturalized citizens.

On Dec. 8, 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt proclaimed undocumented Italians residing in America as “Enemy Aliens.”

Italians were relocated, interned, lost businesses and were routinely interrogated. In all, more than 600,000 Italians were discriminated against during this once-secret WWII program.

Meanwhile, more than one million Italian Americans were fighting in the U.S. Army in WWII.

Suozzi hopes that his peers that comprise the Italian American Congressional Caucus will join him in his efforts.

The legislation, which was reintroduced on June 11, is co-sponsored by Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (D-CA).

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