S-PACIFIC Several group.s, including JACL, file a =..01 lawsuit to stop a CITIZEN controversial feedlot.

3 of 5 counts dropped in Watada case. •The Na!!onal Pubiication of \ile Japan.)se American Cltiz.ms League

TRIBUTE VETERANS DAY FEATURE In an Economic Downturn, APA . Remember the Yonsei Grandchildren 01 Nisei Vets Nonprofits are Struck Hardest Weeds ... and Ed Help Keep 'Go lor Br~ke' Story Alive Seattle APAs Robyn Tofukji (left) line up at ACRS wants to ensure that for Asian-friendly the JA veterans' produce. legacy continues to Staffers had to be passed on, cut the amount including the story of of food given out her grandfather because of rising prices. Tetsuo Asato (righ~, a member of the PHOTO: CARINA A. DEL ROSARIO By Bll.L YOSIDNO 442nd. With less funding coming in, the most vulnerable victims are the communities these vital organizations serve. When Ed Endow selVed as the Whether it's making.a film it both figuratively and literally. JACL vice president for member• or volunteering at various Robyn's grandfather Tetsuo is a By LYNDA LIN ship, he once wrote a letter to the veterans' events, these World War IT hero, part of the famed Assistant Editor lapsed members titled "Remember 442nd Regimental Combat Team grandchildren hope their Forget the cliches about Wall Street and Main Street. What about Girard the Weeds." Ed's imagery suggested who along with the lOOth Battalion grandfathers'stories of Street in Washington, D.C.? that just as a well-tended front lawn and the Military Intelligence SelVice bravery continue to be told. ''It's a make or break year," said Rick R. Chen of Asian American LEAD needs constant maintenance, so too have been showered with accolades (AALEAD), a nonprofit organization headquartered at 1323 Girard Street must the JACL deal with the weeds for their bravery. By CAROLINE AOYAGI-STOM where the nation's economic downturn has struck hard. of injustice, prejudice and ignorance Executive Editor And like Robyn, many of the For the past 10 years, AALEAD has helped low-income Asian Pacific in pursuit of a better world. And grandchildren of these Nisei vets are American youth move out of poverty to become successful, self-sufficient that's what I liked about Ed - his Like many grandchildren, 22- realizing they are the bridge to help adults. Currently, over 300 APA families in the D.C. and Montgomery plain-spoken, descriptive, always year-old Robyn Tofukuji's own per• keep their heroic stories alive. honest demeanor and approach. sonal hero is her grandfather Tetsuo County take advantage of AALEAD's after school and youth development I first came to know Ed when we Asato, 83. But in her case she means See 'GO FOR BROKE'lPage 11 See APA NONPROFITSlPage 12 ran into each other in the baggage claim area at the Philadelphia airport where we arrived to attend the 1998 Portland, Maine Marks Little• Breaking Down the Silence Barrier JACL Convention. Ed offered me a known Chinese American History ride to the hotel with his wife, Debbi and son, Robert. These were the pre• A local attorney's interest spurs efforts to place 20 his• GPS days, when our conversation torical markers at sites where the Chinese community overtook my map reading causing us once thrived. to miss the hotei exit resulting in a scenic tour of Philadelphia's Society By CAROLINE AOYAGI-STOM Hill area. With Ed, it was easy to get Executive Editor engrossed in conversation, some• times to the exclusion of other The vacant lot at 615 Forest Avenue in Portland, Maine may not look like much today, but this spot has deep historical roots in the once promi• See EDWIN ENDOW/ Page 11 nent Chinese American community. kept saying. All the medical tests In the early 1920s, the Goons - the pioneering family of Dogan and Autism doesn't discriminate came back normal, but the doctors Toy Len Goon and their eight children - embarked on a new life run• against race, gender or ~ said her toddler son had borderline ning a successful family laundry where the vacant lot now stands. socioeconomic status. autism. Sophia, a biochemist living It's a history that few locals in Portland, an area that has a relatively in the San Francisco Bay Area with small Chinese American community today, are aware of. But now, a local By LYNDA LIN her husband, had never heard of attorney is spearheading a project to help mark this community's history Assistant Editor autism before. in the city. One moment turned into days, Did "borderline" mean young ''Nobody, the local Chinese or the local non-Chinese historians knew then years of silence. Kevin Shi could be pushed into nor• anything about the historic Chinese community when we began," said Ever since she got the news, sit• malcy? Sophia pictured her first• Gary Libby, 61. "A few of the local Chinese who were descended from ting speechlessly in the doctor's born son straddling a fence with his the pioneers knew their own family history but not much about the office, Sophia Shi has been a mother arms stretched out to his sides, eyes under siege. See HISTORICAL MARKERSlPage 10 ''I need a second opinion," she See AUTlSMlPage 13

Young Spielberg Historic Election National ...... 3-5 As election day finally Community...... 6-7 Kevin Walker is making comes, APAs head to the Voices ...... 8 a complete documentary polls in record numbers. Calendar ...... 14 on the internment. Obits ...... 15 ENTERTAINMENT PAGE 9 COM.t'l'IUNITY PAGE 5 2 NOV. 7-20, 2008 COMMENTARY/LETTERS PACIAC !iii CITIZEN AI' PACIFIC NATIONAL DIRECTOR'S REPORT ~1IIi CITIZEN A Successful Gala but Membership Numbers are Still Down

250 E. First Street, Ste. 301 , By FLOYD MORI tables, dinner tickets, andlor ads were:· CCOC, membership lapse as soon as they have Los Angeles, CA. 90012 EDC, MDC. PNW, Philadelphia chapter, received a JACL scholarship. Somehow we Tel : 213/620-1767, 800/966-6157 There is a lot going on in the world these Washington, D.C. chapter, Twin Cities JACL, need to instill in them a feeling of purpose in Fax: 213/620-1768 days. As prepaiations for the various elections, Chicago chapter, Cincinnati JACL, belonging to the JACL so that they will WANT E-mail: [email protected] including the important Watsonville-Santa Cruz JACL, Boise Valley to continue as members. www.pacific:citizen.org Presidential election chapter, New York JACUXV Copani. It is s.o inexpensive for students to be mem• take place, there are Individual sUpJ)!:)lt was received from: Judy bers of the JACL, but it seems that most only Executive Editor: many problems with the Niizawa, Kaz Oye, Miyako Kadogawa, Aiko, join for the scholarships. This group should be Caroline Y. Aoyagi-Stom Assistant Editor: economy. The JACL is Lou and Paul Igasaki, Norman Mineta, myself, our future leaders, but they have generally not Lynda Lin not exempt from worries Ross Macdonald (BB&T Bank), Kristine had much of a sense of loyalty or commitment Office Manager: and concerns about the Minami, Michelle Yoshida, Josh to the JACL. We hope they will Brian Tanaka future. Spry, Maya Yamazaki, and the ThejACL is feel a responsibility to give Circulation: Eva Lau-Ting The second National national JACL board. Supporting back to the community which JACL Gala Awards organizations were AJC, APAICS nptexempt helped to provide an education Publisher: Japanese American Citizens Dinner in Washington, D.C., however, was it (Asian American Institute for for them. League (founded 1929) 1765 Sutter Street, from worries San Francisco, CA 94115, tel: 4151921- bright spot and enjoyed by those who attend• Congressional Studies), APALA andconcems There will always be dis• 5225 fax: 4151931-4671, www.jacl,org ed. "A Salute to Champions of Redress" com• (Asian Pacific American Labor crimination and prejudice in JACL President: Lany Oda memorated the 20th anniversary of the pas• Alliance), JAVA (Japanese American about the the world. The Topaz Museum Nat'l Director: FIayd Mori sage of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, an act Veterans Association), NJAMF future. ' recently received an extremely Pacific Citizen Board of Directors: Margie that provided redress and an apology to (National Japanese American hateful letter from a group that Yamamoto, chairperson; Vacant, EDC; Usa Hanasono, MDC; Kathy Ishimoto, CCDC; Japanese Americans who ·were interned in Memorial Foundation): and OCA is still espousing the idea that Judith Aono, NCWNPDC; Justine Kondo, concentration camps during World War II. (O~ganization of Chinese Americans). the internment of Japanese Americans was jus• PNWDC; Jeff Itami, IDC; Ted Namba, The honorees were: The Hon. Norman Y (Apologies if Some were not listed.) tified. They still call us by the hurtful and hate• PSWDC; Naomi Oren, Youth. Mineta, John Tateishi, Grayce Uyehara, the Membership numbers are down within the fulJ-word. r------, American Jewish ' Committee (AJC), and JACL, and outside funding is not plentiful. The The JACL is needed to combat this type of NEWS/AD DEADLINE: FRIDAY lIT&T as well as two rising champions, David JACL has long been a membership driven racism and to protect civil rights. Higher mem• BEFORE DATE OF ISSUE. Inoue and Nathan Shinagawa. Bill Yoshino, organization. We NEED our members. Thanks bership numbers will help us in the fight for Editorials, news and the opinions JACL Midwest regional difector, was honored to everyone who is a member of the JACL. justice. If we could just get back half of our expressed by columnists other than the national JACL president or national for 30 years of service on the JACL staff. Those who are lapsed members are not likely lapsed members, we could increase our num• director do not necessarily reflect JACL Congressman Mike Honda was the emcee, to hear this message except from you who are bers substantially. Some of them just need a policy. Events and products advertised and Sen. Daniel Inouye was honorary chair• their friends and family members. Please help personal contact from a chapter or family in the Pacific Citizen do not carry the implicit endorsement of the JACL or man. us try to get our lapsed members to rejoin the member. The JACL needs YOUR help to this publication. We reserve the right to Thank you to everyone who supported the JACL. increase our membership. edit articles. Gala in any way. The sponsors were: lIT&T, As we review chapter membership rosters, As a closing note, we would like to say ------~ Eli Lilly, State Farm, Aratani Foundation, many chapters have almost as many listed as thank you to Debee Yamamoto, former direc• PACIFIC CITIZEN (ISSN: 0030-8579) is Freddie Mac, NEA, Anheuser Busch, Annie lapsed members as those who are current tor of public policy in the D.C. JACL office. published semi-monthly except once in E. Casey Foundation, CBS, Patrick Atagi, members. There are even some chapter board DetJee worked very hard on the Gala, and we December and January by the Japanese American Citizens League, 250 E. Rrst Beth Fujishige, Donna Cole, John Tagami, members and membership chairpersons are on appreciate her efforts. After giving birth to her Street, Ste. 301, Los Angeles, CA. 90012 Ray and Mary Murakami, and national JACL the lapsed list. This hurts the workings of the daughter Emi earlier this year, Debee has OFFICE HOURS - Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-5 board members Larry Oda, Sheldon Arakaki, JACL. decided to leave her employment at the JACL p.m. Pacific Time. ©2008. and David and Carol Kawamoto. Scholarship applicants often join the JACL to spend time with her baby. We wish her and Annual subSCription rates: NON- JACL districts and .chapters that purchased simply to apply for Scholarships and let their her family well.• MEMBERS: 1 year-$40, payable in advance. Additional foreign postage per year (1 st class) - Canada and Mexico $55, Japan and overseas $60 (Subject to change without notice.) Postage paid at Los Angeles, Calif. Permission: No part of this publication Letters to the Editor may be reproduced without express per- mission of the publisher. Copying for other than personal or internal reference Reader Commends Black Reparations Coverage use without the express permission of P.e. is prohibited. I commend the JACL and the Pacific Citizen staff on their POSTMASTER: Send address changes cover story of the lA-Black reparations (Pacific Citizen, Aug. 16- to: Pacific Citizen, c/o JACL National Sept. 4). Not only did it accurately capture the JAtUs mission Headquarters, 1765 Sutter St., San toward inclusiveness, but also demonstrated our extended mis• Francisco, CA 94115. sion of "securing and maintaining" civil rights to "all others wh.o are victimized by injustice and bigotry." JACL MEMBERS By comparison, Black Americans share a very different and Change of Address unique history than Japanese Americans, which any form of repa• Two Brave Men: George Takei and Brad Altman rations t.o the former should indeed reflect these differences. I am If you have moved, please glad your article brought this point to light (I believe one com• The article "At Long Last, George Takei and Brad Altman Become send information to: menter expressed her concern for allotting Black Americans an Spouses for Life" (Pacific Citizen, Sept. 19 ~Oct. 2) touched my heart. National JACL identical monetary redress). I'm so appreciative that these two brave men have stepped out with 1765 Sutter St. What should be emphasized here is the historical consequences full celebration of their love. - faced by Black Americans as a result of slavery, financial loss As they have done this, I feel that they are also expressing their San Francisco, CA and beyond (i.e educational and job opportunities). To this, there love to all of us. Stay awake they say with their actions. May we all 94115 may not be an adequate solution, or a consensus - but the strides be free to be fully who we are. . . Allow 6 weeks tor address changes. the JA community has made in inspiring those towards its Your article encourages us to remember to support everyone to be progress should be lauded. free, all of us holding full civil rights equaUy. To avoid interruptions in receiving your P.c., please notify your pa;tmas- KELU M. RUCKER LEE upp ter to include pertodicaIs in your Membership Chair Diversity Coordinator chcmge of address (USPS Form 3575) Chicago JACL San Francisco Zen Center PACIFIC !ill CmZEN NATIONAL NOV. 7-20, 2008 3 LalNsuit Filed to Stop Idaho Feedlot Near Minidoka The broad coalition, including "I think it's unfortunate that we had to file JACL, believes the Jerome County this petition," said the chairwoman of the .Commissioners made a mistake in Friends of Minidoka, Emily Momohara, not• their recent decision to approve the ing two of her grandparents and two great• grandparents were held at the internment controversial feedlot. . camp. "But we are dedicated to preserving Minidoka. The. civil rights and constitutional By P.e. Staff and Associated Press issues of Minidoka are national history lessons which are not specific to anyone ethnicity." BOISE, Idaho---A lawsuit has been filed in The groups also contend that commissioners an effort to prevent a massive animal feedlot didn't fully consider the negative effect on the from being built near the Minidoka National monument that could be produced ~y the feed• Historic Site in south-central Idaho where lot, called a confined-animal feeding opera• about 9,000 Japanese Americans were con• tion, or CAPO. fined during World War II. . "It will severely detract from the monument The National Trust for Historic Preservation and the desire of people to go to a place that is and JACL are part of a coalition of groups and full of foul odors and flies and other potential 'It's a lot like putting a hazardous individuals that filed suit Oct. 21 in 5th District pollution," said Tebbutt. "In Idaho, the laws Court, seeking to stop the planned 13,OOO-ani• are not fully developed or fully enforced when waste facility next to a hospital. ' mal dairy. it comes to the CAPO industry." - Charlie Tebbutt, Western "It doesn't make any sense," said Charlie Jerome County commissioners rejected Big Environmental Law Center attorney Tebbutt, an attorney with the Western Sky Farms Limited Partnership's application Environmental Law Center, which represents for the feedlot a year ago. But after the compa• In August, Jerome County commissioners the groups. "It's a lot like putting a hazardous ny sued, a 5th District judge ruled the commis• (right) approved a feedlot to be located waste facility next to a hospital." sioners hadn't taken into account zoning and less than a mile from Minidoka (top). ''The involvement of the JACL shows a con• feedlot ordinances and ordered the · commis• tinuing interest by one of the major civil rightS sioners to reconsider their decision. troversy is far from over. Relocation Authority . at the Jerome County organizations in the nation. We hope that this That led to another vote in August and 'This should prove very interesting and if farming cornmunity of Hunt. It operated from will lend a degree of credibility to the lawsuit approval of the feedlot. [the lawsuit is] approved by the court in favor 1942 through 1945 and held as many as 9,397 and aid in the reversal of the decision," said Commissioner Charlie Howell, who voted of the petitioners, could mean that historical U.S. citizens of Japanese descent. Floyd Mori, JACL national director. to approve the feedlot both times, said he sites and their significance to the education of In May, President Bush signed a bill to Jerome County commissioners in August expected the lawsuit. our citizenry for decades to come will be pro• expand and refurbish the monument, and to approved the feedlot, to be located a little more "It's quite ironic that the people who had tected or not," she said. ''The story is not yet in add an 8-acre site on Bainbridge Island, Wash., than a mile from the Minidoka Internment their rights taken away and who were put in its final chapter." west of Seattle, as a satellite to the monument. National Monument. that internment camp are now trying to take The Minidoka site, the largest of 10 deten• The Bainbridge site is where 227 men, women But the groups who filed the lawsuit say a away the rights of people who live near the tion camps around the U.S. during World War . and children were rounded up and placed state law that prevented some opponents from site," Howell said. II, was designated a national monument in aboard a ferry in March 1942 to be sent to participating in the process is unconstitutional. He said the commissioners followed all the January 2001. Minidoka. That law, enacted about 1° years ago, allows laws in making their decision. He also said the The camps housed more than 120,000 Also taking part in the lawsuit are only someone living within one mile of a pro• county several years ago ~assed its own ordi• Japanese Americans - mostly U.S. citizens Preservation Idaho, Idaho Concerned Area posed feedlot to offer information or an opin• nance to allow people living more than a mile - under an executive order signed by Residents for the Environment, the Idaho ion about it. The national monument is located away from a proposed feedlot to participate in President Roosevelt in 1942, when America Rural Council and several local families. 1.2 miles from the feedlot. the decision process. was reeling from the Japanese attack on Pearl "Our mission is to preserve the story about The groups also allege the commissioners Commissioner Diana Obenauer is the only Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. the internment and about what happened after• violated their own zoning ordinances by co11lIll.!ssioner to have consistently ·voted The Minidoka site was originally a 33,000- ward," Momohara said. "It's a really great approving the feedlot. against the Big Sky feedlot. She thinks the con- acre prison compound operated by the War American story.". Judge Blocks Retrial of 1 st Lt. Watada on 3 of 5 Counts Ehren Watada could still face a mil• 'He dismissed the able to make a decision on the .way forward itary trial on two counts of conduct heart of their case with this case," the spokesman said. unbecoming an officer. ... We're very The recent ruling leaves Watada in a perpet• pleased. It :Manzanar internee, served as the JACL's first female City College project would detract the northeast corner of Kearny and just be spread out in these old build• national JACL president. from some of the city's historic Washington streets. ings," Alan Sparer, the .college's The concert tells the stories of ordinary people who performed acts of buildings. Construction is slated to begin lawyer, told the San Francisco courage and compassion when confronted by hatred and bigotry.• The company will have another next summer, with a tentative com- Chronicle .• 6 NOV. 7-20,2008 COMMUNTIY PACIFIC it CrnzEN u.s. Army Awards 8450,000 to Go for Broke Youth, Leadership are the Focus of PSW's '09 Programs The funds will support oral ingful," said Christine Sato• In _an effort to promote youth, histories of Nisei linguists in Yamazaki, president and chief execu• community leadership and advoca• Occupied Japan. tive officer of the National Education cy, the JACL Pacific Southwest Center. District has developed a slate of The Go For Broke National The funding period for the Japan youth leadership programs that will Education Center has won a Request Occupation Study began on Sept. 1, be unveiled in 2009. for Proposal from the U.S. Army to 2008, and continues through Aug. "By creating these programs collect oral histories from Japanese 31,2009, followed by two 12-month JACL PSW hopes to show youth American veterans of the Military continuation options through Aug. and the community the necessity of Intelligence Service (MIS) who 31, 2011. The budget is $150,000 investing and developing youth into served as linguists in occupied Japan. each year. responsible, active and thoughtful The National Education Center The National Education Center community advocates," said Craig will use the $450,000 awarded for is hiring a historical analyst to ISM, PSW regional director. PSW 'Project Community,' which encourages high school-age youth to this Japan Occupation Study to inter• work exclusively on the program. The slate of programs for 2009 be active in Little Tokyo, was a success in its inaugural year. view 30 Nisei linguists a year for In addition to background include: The 2009 PSW Programming three years, working closely with the research within its own database, • "Bridging Communities youth survey to ascertain needs and wants in the Little Tokyo Slate is part of a larger effort by the U.S. Army Center of Military the organization is reviewing Program" (co-sponsored with JACL to move in a direction of lead• History. . records and materials related to Nikkei for Civil Rights & Redress) Community. Understanding that ership development while still stay• The program comes at the encour• Nisei linguists in the Occupation will connect high school youth in the youth are the future of t!1e communi• agement of Sen. Daniel K. Akaka, 0- of Japan held by the National Japanese American community with ty, this survey will hel}J to incorpo• ing true to its basic mission of pro• moting civil rights for our communi• Hawaii, and the National Japanese Archives, the Smithsonian the Muslim community. The pro• rate the youth's voice in a changing ty and all others victimized by preju• American Veterans Council, and fol• Institute · and other repositories. gram will gather 40 youth for a pro• Little Tokyo. dice and discrimination. Developing lows the Department of Army's 2006 Using its research as a base, the gram designed to create an under• • "Project Community 2009" will community leaders is JACL's proac• publication of "Nisei Linguist: National Education Center is con• standing of different cultures, reli• create high school community advo• cates to be active in the Little Tokyo tive approach to civil rights advoca• Japanese Americans in the Military ducting and recording oral history gions, and traditions. In addition to Intelligence Service During World interviews and also transcribing workshops, the participants will take community. Through a series of cy. The JACL PSW District program• War ll" by Dr. James McNaughton. and editing them. part in the Day of Remembrance interactive sessions, participants ming is made possible with the sup• ''It is important that we study the The National Education Center program as well as the Manzanar gain an understanding of identity as port of various organizations and successes of the MIS as a model for had already interviewed several Pilgrimage. well as the importance of preserva• funders including: Southern how our nation can move forward in Nisei linguists who served in the • "Mobilize for Policy 2009" will tion of the JA community. The pro• Iraq and Mghanistan," said Akaka. U.S. MIS during WWIl and then sta• educate and train 15-20 collegiate gram will gather 15-30 high school California Edison, Union Bank: of The Center for Military History tioned in Occupied Japan. An esti• youth to effect change in policy students for an eight-week program California, AT&T, the California will use the oral histories collected mated 3,000 Nisei MIS members affecting the Asian Pacific Islander starting in late June to mid August on Civil Liberties Public Education Program (CCLPEP), the JACL through this program for a sequel to served in Japan from 1945-1952, community. Throughout a series of Tuesday evenings in Little Tokyo. McNaughton's work. during the U.S. Military's post• workshops from late January to Each program is designed to not Legacy Grant Program and Japanese "Our mission to keep the story of WWII occupation. • April participants will gain a better just train leadership but to create American Community Services .• the Nisei veterans alive makes this understanding of the issues facing young community advocates in the opportunity to work with the Center For more information: the Asian and Pacific Islander com• community, civil rights and policy For more information, contact JACL of Military History especially mean- www.goforbroke.org munity as well as potential ways for arenas. These programs will cumula• PSW Program Coordinator Kene them to effect change. tively train over 100 youth on advo• Kubo at [email protected] or • "LT and Me Survey Project" is a . cacy issues in the community. 2131626-4471.

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"JACl.ers gave fellow comes to a close, it's hard to believe over the country, to help advocate for the "Many people thought Redress was a great idea what they could to support Redress. It's quite an that it's been almost a year since I came to many different facets of the APA experi• but were doubtful this would ever happen," said accomplishment because it usually takes more Washington, fresh ence. I went to Kansas City to work on a Jerry Enomoto. "I give Edison Uno much credit money than we raised to accomplish what we did." out of college. I had committee that helped reduce minority because he had a vision and was instrumental in Enomoto said it's unfortunate that many people the great pleasure and undercount in the agricultural census. I pursuing Redress." involved on the LEC Committee have passed . privilege of learning went to Cornell University in upstate New Enomoto, a Nisei, grew up away and cannot tell their stories. He said the story from Floyd Mori, York to present workshops on legislative in San Francisco and attend- of LEC should be told to educate the younger gen- JACL national direc• issues and leadership for young APA§... I ed Lowell College erations. tor and Debee was even able t6 return home to northern Preparatory High School During Enomoto's 28 years working at the Yamamoto, former Califomia to observe and participate in when President Franklin D. California Department of Corrections, he served as policy direct9r. By JACL board meetings. Roosevelt signed Executive the first Asian Pacific American prison warden, imparting their wis• JACL is an incredible organization with Order 9066. His family was appointed by Gov. Ronald Reagan. Enomoto later dom from their extensive D.C. and life many levels and ways for anyone to get interned in Tule Lake. served at the Department of Corrections becoming experience, as well as incredible kindness, involved. From the local chapter level to Enomoto received the first Asian American to manage a I felt truly a part of the JACL family. the regional level to the national level, his master's degree in state Department in California. Enomoto One thing I learned from my experiences JACL truly offers something for any inter• social work from UC Berkeley. 1ACLers was the first Japanese American to as a fellow is that advocacy is done in a est, any time commitment. A member of JACL since the 1950s, gave what receive a presidential appointment to be multitude of ways. I had the opportunity to I have learned an incredible amount Enomoto served as a president of the San they could a u.s. Marshall in 1994. His wife Dr. participate in what might be considered tra• over the course of my fellowship, and I Francisco JACL chapter, a district council to SUpport Dorothy Stevens Enomoto has the dis• ditional Washingtonian activities, such as would like to thank all of the staff, board chair and JACL national president from Redress. ' tinction of being the first African meeting with members of Congress and members and other volunteers who have 1966 to 1970. American woman to manage a their staff, attending committee hearings, contributed to my experience. I wish "One of the keys in attaining Redress California Department of Collections. helping with briefings and meeting with Elaine Low, former Ford Fund Fellow in was the wartime achievement of the 442nd - Jerry Enomoto, Enomoto, who is now a member of the many other nonprofits based here in D.C. Chicago, and Naomi Lim, former Daniel Regimental Combat Team," said Enomoto. fanner LEC chair Sacramento JACL chapter and an associ- I had the opportunity to serve as staff for Inouye Fellow in Washington, D.C., the "Key players were Senator Daniel Inouye ~ ate member' of the Florin chapter, always the National Council of Asian Pacific best of luck in their future endeavors. Senator Spark Matsunaga, Congressmen supported JACL's youth movement. He Americans, which is a coalition of many From playing taiko at the Sacramento Robert Matsui and Congressman Norman started the Junior JACL and served as a former national APA advocacy organizations. My chapter picnics growing up, to working Mineta." national youth commissioner. tasks as staff were challenging, such as in the D.C. office, I hope to remain Enomoto was the chair of the Legislative Although he is not as active in JACL as helping coordinate press conferences involved with JACL for many years to Education Committee (LEC) in 1986 after the before, Enomoto feels the younger generations across the country, and managing publica• come.• . passing of Minoru Yasui. The LEC served as the should learn more about Redress, the people tion of the NCAPA platform, a collection lobbying arm for JACL and raised $700,000 to involved and how they achieved their goals. of APA policy priorities for the coming Meilee Wong recently completed the support a Redress bill that would eventually pass "It's important the younger generations presidential administration regarding Norman Minetafellowship in through Congress and be signed by President appreciate history and learn from it," he said. he~thcare, education, immigration and Washington, D. C. Ronald Reagan. . "Members, friends, • corporations and organ- Kathy Aoki is a Contra Costa JACL member. 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[ YUMI SAKUGAWA ] I JOHN TATE ISHI 1

MEMOIRS OF A NON-GEISHA FOR THE RECORD Election Season in Japan Reign of Fear: The Unnecessary Price of Democracy 'Our government has kept us in a perpetual state offear, kept us in a continuous stampede ofpatriotic fervor, with the cry As I write this, it is the eve of Election Day. ofgrave national emergency. Always there has been some terrible evil at home or some monstrous foreign power that was "Not that I am old enough to say this," I said to my boyfriend, . . going to gobble us up if we did not blindly rally behind it. ' - (':wen. Douglas MacArthur . ''but isn't this one of the wackiest election seasons in recent history?" My boyfriend replied that while this may be true, he also read For the past seven years, we've been a nation that has But the great thing about this country is that it has had somewhere that people tended to look back on the election that they been governed by fear, reminded constantly by our leader• the courage and fortitude to try to correct some of its most voted for in their 20s as the most memorable. ship that we live with the threat of terrorism and terrorists egregious wrongs. Over 600,000 men died in a civil war True, I am 23 and this was only my second time participating as a among us, a fact exacerbated by our unprecedented pre• over the issue of slavery and billions were spent in the voting citizen in the presidential race. And yet - along with the very emptive war policy. Great Society programs of the 1960s and 70s aimed at historical significances of this particular race that by now we are all The result is that we've seen the foundations of uplifting black communities victirni~ by past racial poli• familiar with - I had another personal reason for why I should· American democracy chipped away little by little, some• cies; some native tribes won the rights to parts of their remember the 2008 election season so vividly. Much of my memo• times in such small pieces that it's gone almost unnoticed. former tribal lands; and redress was given to JAs. ries of this election were spent abroad in Japan. Civil liberties in America today are not what they were None of these were enough to truly address the magni• Though I lived with my relatives in a rural part of town where the seven years ago, not because of terrorists but because of tude of the wrongs, but at least they were courageous pregnancy of a neighborhood cat was newsworthy for kitchen table our own doing. attempts, however flawed they may have been. These gossip, our house was at least connected to the Internet. This meant But I don't believe we are significantly safer from the were strong testimonies of a nation with a conscience and that before I headed off to work in the early afternoon, many of my evils of terrorism today than we were seven years ago. If a strong moral center. morning hours were spent holed up in my little room behind the fam• a convincing argument to the contrary can be put forth, But where are we now? And what of democracy in ily kitchen scouring online newspapers and political blogs for the lat• one has to ask if the loss .of fundamental civil liberties and America today? Where are we as the moral beacon of the est information. the transformation of the Constitution and the chipping world when we accept extraordinary rendition? When tor• Looking back on it now, living on a rice farm in a remote comer of away at the foundations of democracy in America have ture, however much it is denied, is an acceptable practice? Japan when one of the most dramatic events of American history was been worth it. Or when those same law officers find it a reasonable unfolding back home felt lonely at times. While impassioned citizens In most cases, we're hardly aware of the losses we've proposition that the president stands above the law? were canvassing for voters or crying tears of patriotic joy at rallies, I experienced, partly because the media too often buries When a CIA operative and her field agents are exposed was stuck on the other side of the world in the peace and quiet of rice important stories that expose questionable actions of the for vindictive political reasons and those responsible - fields and old Japanese people. administration in back pages, or because we have too few because they're close to the heartbeat of the White House I imagine this is how foreigners must feel in another country when Congressional members who have the courage to speak - smirk in their defiance of the law and go unpunished? their home country is playing in the World Cup and there is no one out against these changes when they've been brought When the basic protections of democracy are denied else within immediate vicinity to share the before the Congress for consideration, or because some of over and over in the name of that vague bug-a-boo, the excitement with. these changes have come about by executive orders (and war on terror? When the basic rights of the privacy of 'Sometimes Indeed, I had other American friends living in we know only too well how silent and effective executive Americans are taken from us so easily? Not with a bang, it takes being Japan, but as they all lived at least an hour away orders can be in creating policies). but a whimper. And where are we as a democracy when mocracy in America today i shaped by such laws as we allow this of ourselves? abroad to from me, my meetings with them were few and far between. These American friends were just the USA Patriot Act, by a national leadership that has It's not just the current administration that's to blame. realize the like me - English teachers stranded in an demonstrated time and again the arrogance of power, by It's all of us: our leaders in Washington, our representa• things that obscure city of Japan, or Japanese Americans voices of protest that are little more than whispers in the tives in the House and Senate; we as an organization, each pursuing their dream to live and work in the wind, and by a fearful or complacent public reluctant to of us as citizens. It's amazing how easily complacent you take for motherland. . question for fear of being accused of being unpatriotic. we've all become and how we can so willingly accept granted bad < Though I was here in Japan reconnecting with . We have grown to accept deceptive and over-simplified what would have been unthinkable 20 years ago. Or even answers to profound questions and inexcusable actions, or 10 years ago. home.' my Japanese roots and learning how to become more Japanese, it was in no way mutually we simply just don't care. . The madness of the past eight years is almost at an end, exclusive with my very American excitement The consequence is that we are no longer guided by the hopefully. But it can continue unless our leaders in and anxiety over the outcome of the presidential race. However moral compass that has served this nation for over two Washington find new courage to speak out against the superficial my political discourses were with these friends, they centuries. Not always in the right direction: the accepted kind of fear-mongering and deceit that have govemedthis reminded me that I was a part of a bigger movement back home. practice of slavery and the genocidal wars against the nation for too long. They were little things: like the ecstatic text I received from my native peoples of this land are strong testimony of just It's time to say enough.• friend and fellow teacher on my cell phone, claiming that he cried how wrong we can be as a nation. And, of course, the when he watched Hilary's speech at the Democratic convention on internment of Japanese Americans during WWII. John Tat~ishi is the immediate past JACL national director. his laptop. Or how sitting on the second-floor of a restaurant that overlooked Tokyo's Imperial Palace, my JA friend and I worried out loud about the state of our economy, our crumbling health care sys• PC WORD PUZZLE tem and the direction of our country. No, I wasn't organizing voter registration rallies, or holding signs LOOKING FORWARD in the street or knocking door-to-door in swing states to persuade IOO(~1 ST TO ANOTHER undecided voters. I was in Japan and watching all of these things 1 'S GREAT eDITION. happen from another country. Sometimes it takes being abroad to realize the t:hiI?gs that you take for granted back home. This happened to me when I spent the night at my Japanese friend's house. That following morning, I woke up earlier than my 18H1YLAg · friend and like clockWork, already had a laptop open to scroll 0000 0 through the latest news and political updates. The biggest news that day was that 'TIna Fey finally took the hint and dressed up for the first time as Sarah Palin on "Saturday Night Live." I'm sure my Japanese friend didn't know who Tina Fey was, or how this was a momentous event in the American pop cultural 1000 or landscape that would be ironically referenced to in many years to come, and there was no way that I was going to miss this. She did know that whatever was happening on the laptop, I was very I MT E ~ interested and it all had something to do with the presidential race back home. 1000 )1 "You're so lucky," "She told me. "Most young Japanese people couldn't care less about politics;" • ANSWER: IT:S HOllPAY ISSUE. TIME.' Yumi Sakugawa recently returned from teaching English in Japan. PACIFIC !ill CmZEN ENTERTAINMENT NOV. 7-20, 2008 9 Finding a Part i~ Internment History An aspiring Yonsei filmmaker is road tripping across High School, his two passions collided - his parents gave him a video camera. From an early America to film a documentary on the lingering '/ felt if C€J)1nectioi) when I:' . age, Kevin's love'for ftlm was apparent, but he 'prrt/Jbse,Jlgrimages;t ljij; effects of living behind barbed wire. also had very sophisticated taste. Young Kevin loved watching "Dances with By I~YNDA UN Wolves," the 1990 Academy Awarding winning . Assistant Editor Civil War era epic starring Kevin Costner. "He watched it so much that he memorized the dialogue," said Bobbi, a Sansei who lives in n the ruins of old internment camps, Kevin Fernandina Beach, Florida with her husband Walker sees stories that need to be resurrected. David Walker. I At Emerson College in Boston, Kevin made ''9066,,, 'a short documentary on his grandpar• ents' experiences during the War. And later, he "It still defines who we are today," said the 22-year-old aspiring ftlmmaker about went on pilgrimages to Minidoka, Manzanar the World War II internment of Japanese Americans. ''To examine everything hap• and Thle Lake where he heard many emotional pening in our world right now, we must take a step back and reflect on how we stories. arrived at this point." . '. "I felt a connection when I went on those pil• Over 60 y~s after the last JA family was released fr?m therr barbe~ wrre home, grimages," he said. "Physically there isn't that the experience continues to touch some of the most unlikely commumty mem~rs. much there, but the personal stories from these Kevin a Yonsei who is also of English and German descent, had not come mto former camp survivors bring the places to life." existenc~ yet when his grandparents were taken to Tule Lake. In ~act, his mother Some of the stories continue to haunt him. He hadn't even been born. And growing up in Vancouver, Wash., ~e mtemment w~s interviewed one former Minidoka internee who hardly a popular topic of conversation. His grandparents Shigeno a~d ;oshio broke down in tears when she described seeing Ichikawa rarely talked about their years spent in the desert, and most dIdn t push acres of barren desert wasteland. them to open up. ''It's hard. I'm an emotional person," said Now Kevin wants to chronicle other intern• Kevin. "Sometimes you just want to lie down ment stories in a feature-length documentary he on the floor, curl into a ball and think about what is currently shooting while road tripping across you've just heard." the country. With a cinematographer by his side, he is filming at the 10 main campsites and 17 The Snowball Effect assembly centers. To bring a fresh perspective to the historical "It's been crazy 14- to 16-hour workdays," event, Kevin wants to examine the lingering said the recent Emerson College graduate to the effects of the internment on the JA community. Pacific Citizen. On this particular day, Kevin is "You get a feeling of how this experience has heading to Topaz in Delta, Utah )'Vith affected generations of a community. Those Wyoming's Heart Mountain in his rearview 120,000 people had grandchildren who have mirror. stories too. The experience has snowballed." The ftlrn project, which is .being financed by He also wants to interview the Caucasian res• his parents, has a budget that is yet to be deter• idents who lived in the area around the camps mined. They fIlm by day and stay in'small town during WWll Many have already contacted ' motels by night. It's all very Jack Kerouac, him expressing regret, but 'wanting to explain except with the expressed purpose of docu• What the mindset of the time. menting history. In the Hood River region of Oregon, resi• dies war sllve=- "It just started out as a family project and dents built a guard tower and manned it them• "A Passage Through SI:VEN grew," said Kevin. selves, said Kevin. ''That's fear. It's crazy what LIVES is a stunning and perceptive His documentary has also taken him to Tule people are willing to give up in order to feel memOir/history of Japanese culture Lake, where his grandparents met and married. more protected." and imperialism before and after the On their wedding day, the newlyweds climbed In some places, people are still fighting in World War II. and slid down Castle Rock on a toboggan. So WWII, he added. "Kyo Takahashi weaves a majestic over 60 years later, Kevin climbed Castle Rock A few people have contacted him defending tapestry, using the history of Japan too. He didn't slide down though. . their WWII beliefs. Many had family members and bloody battlefields as the warp, " ... Although I almost fell a few times while who died'in battle at the hands of the Japanese. and lives of people who were involved filming." in the war, as the weft. Every fact was 'They categorize one minority as a whole," blended in carefully with artistic il• Ripping off the Bandage . said Kevin. "Bitterness and hate can cloud any• lustrations, creating a shocking al1d one's judgment." For many former internees, memones of the enlightening panorama. He's hoping to finish the documentary in camps are like hidden wounds bandaged with "This book is a valuable addition early 2009. silence. for those not familiar with Quaker ''He has been very focused on a ftlrn career "I think the most important thing is to tell the Friends' supportive actions for Japa• since early in high school and he's never stories built up inside you," said Kevin. nese Americans who were sent to the wavered from his goals," said David-about his His grandmother Shigeno met his grandfather internrnent carnps." -from Reviews son. Toshio in the Tule Lake mess hall. When asked . The project has also provided Kevin with about their camp days, they would only talk A Passage Through some soul-searching opportunities. From Issei about the fun times. Kevin listened, but was too to Sansei, each generation has made their mark SEVEN LIVES young to ask the right questions. Before in the quest for justice. -The Pacific War Legacy• Shigeno passed away in 2001, the family went by KYO TAKAHASHI ''We're trying to find our part of the story," he to Thle Lake. said about tieing Yonsei. ''I think that's through 6"x 9" paperback, 504 pages includes "As soon as we stepped out of the car, she over 250 illustrations, 25 maps, and charts. preserving the stories." • was telling us all these stories," he said. It would $23.99 be the catalyst that spurred Kevin to think criti• 10% goes to the AFSC Peace Fund CAWNG AU. FORMER INTERNEES cally about wartime hysteria and injustice. available at Amazon.com PHOTO COURTESY OF WALKER FAMILY "Kevin had a wonderful relationship with his Kevin Walker is still looking for interviewees, personal and Alibris.com grandmother," said his mother Bobbi Walker, a photographs and movieS for his documentary. If home PAPA AND NANA: Kevin's grandparents Toshio Sansei. "I think he was thinking, 'How could you are interested in participating, contact Kevin direct-. (left) and Shigeno Ichikawa, pictured here with Visit- http://KyoVision7.com*' someone as nice as that be interned?'" Iy at 3601931-0953 or [email protected]. During his sophomore year at. Hudson Bay daughter Gerri, met and married at Tule Lake. 10 NOV. 7-20, 2008 NATIONAL PACIFIC iI crnZEN Historical Markers Will Commemorate Portland, Maine's Chinese American History (Continued from page 1) "It was fantastic as it gave the to Lynn, Massachusetts in 1952 but grandchildren a chance to see where she has only positive memories of Chinese community generally." we grew up," said Wong. Portland. Libby, with the help of the Recently Libby held the ftrst "My fondest memory is the privi• Chinese and American Friendship <2hinese historic marker ceremony at lege of truly living in a melting pot Association of Maine, has located 573 Congress Street, the former scenario where the neighbors and several Chinese sites where they location of the Empire Restaurant schools accepted our entire family plan to place markers explaining which existed from 1916 to 1953. and were helpful and friendly," she each location's story. In all he hopes Locals gathered to mark the COll1lIlU• said, "because they saw us working to mark 20 historic sites that includes nity's history with a lion dance and together and were wonderful stu• laundries, grocery stores, restaurants traditional drum performance. dents, one and all." and a gambling den. Markers (above) will Although they have commitments She's grateful that her family's One of the historic sites, an idea commemorate Portland's from about half of the businesses, history in the area will be remem• modeled after the Portland Freedom Chinese American others are concerned that marking bered. Trail that honors the pioneering local history like this English their businesses with a historical "I applaud Gary's efforts in docu• African American community, will class (left). marker may pose problems if they menting the history of the Chinese be the former Goon Family Laundry. "I always marveled at how my of Maine according to the U.S. want to make any future changes to community in Portland," said Wong. "I would be so proud, as I'm sure grandmother managed the business Census. About 200 live in the city of the property. ''We are all grateful and pleased for my other family members would while raising a large family mostly Portland. ''We have about 20 sites where we Gary's interest in preserving this part be," said Constance Psaros of on her own without most of the A few years ago, Libby had a want to place historical markers, not of Portland's history and including Boston, a granddaughter of Dogan modem conveniences we have chance to meet some of the Goon 20 places where the owner has mother's accomplishments as part of and Toy Len. "We are a quiet bunch now," said Psaros, 54, the eldest family descendants after they con• agreed to let us do that," said Libby. that history." • and have achieved our own success• daughter of Josephine Moy (former• tacted him during a family reunion Eventually he hopes to copy the es without fanfare or boasting, but ly Josephine Goon). in Portland. He took some of the rel• project in the cities of Augusta, For more information, Chinese & something like this would be a won• Wong noted that her mother did atives on a tour of the area their fam• Bangor, Lewiston and Biddeford. American Friendship Association of derful and meaningful tribute to our not read ' or write in Chinese or ily once thrived. Wong and her family later moved Maine: www.cafammaine.org. family." English since girls in China were not educated and she was too busy run• An American Dream ning the family business. Still, "she Doris Wong, the seventh child of imparted to us the values that Dogan and Toy Len, runs her own ensured our success as individuals." court reporting firm in Boston. She ''It was a pretty big deal at the attributes her success to the early time," said Libby of Toy Len's values her parents instilled in her and Mother of the Year status. "She was her siblings. quite the celebrity at the time. That ''We all had 'jobs' in the laundry family really exemplifies the suited to our age and abilities," said American dream." the 75-year-old who now runs her In addition to parades in the New business with the help of two nieces York City, Boston and Philadelphia including Psaros. "I remember turn• Chinatowns in her honor, Toy Len ing out the pockets of shirts and was also invited to a reception host• slacks before they were washed. I ed by First Lady Bess Truman at the did the dishes. My siblings ironed White House. clothes, waited on customers. We Toy Len passed away in 1993 at should be banking on a just all worked together doing what the age of 101. had to be done for the business." much more pe'rsonal level. Today, all eight Goon family chil• A Local History Discovered dren can boast successful careers. you should have your own personal banker who's dedicated to your Libby's interested in digging into Amongst them are doctors, engi• financial success. You should have a skilled professional who will help make the local Chinese American history neers and an attorney. Because the your day-to~day banking effortless. You should have a financial ally who can was spurred by a 2001 article in the word "goon" has some negative con• leverage Union Bank's global resources on your behalf. You deserve the local paper titled "Are There Any notations, some of the kids eventual• . ~c1usive personal financial services of Priority B.ahkln~l Chinese in Maine?". ly changed the spelling of their name It was written by a local professor to Guen or took on their mother's Call a nearby office to schedule an appointment and Gary soon struck up a friend• maiden name Len. wi~h a Priority Banker. ship. They started digging and soon But all are proud of the Goon fam• the two discovered that there was ily legacy in Portland, Maine. quite a rich local Chinese American Dogan first began his laundry history. Even after the professor business in 1915 and in 1918 he moved out of state for a new job, went off to fight for his adopted Libby continued the project. country in World War I, even though "By then, I was hooked and kept he was denied citizenship due to the going," he said. 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act. The Chinese have been in the city He was joined by his wife Toy of Portland since the 18508. One of Len in 1921 and together they ran the earliest Chinese immigrants was the successful Goon Family Ar Tee Lam who arrived in the city Laundry. Soon all of their eight kids ;::. in 1858 and ran a Chinese restaurant. played a role in the laundry. Calif~rnilil P~iorlty ~allfomia The first known hand laundry busi• Southern Sanldng Office$ ...• ,,) Northern P,.i()rity Banking Offices .. . After Dogan's untimely death in Gardena (310) .35+4173T~rnnce {JI 0) 373~MIl Japan Cen.w(-4Hi) 202.Q350 San Francisc;o MaIn (41 S) 765-3'134 ness was established in 1877 by an 1941, Toy Len continued to run the LA Main (113)236~770S WestLA. {JIO)?IS.1J1S Palo Alto (6S0) 941-2042 San Jose Main (408) 279;;J41 f enterprising 14-year-old named Sam .. little Tokyo (;213) 9n-5526 SacranleJlto (916)321-31~1 Sllnn)""l1J~ (4OS) 738-4900 business as a single mother, instilling :t,: ,: Lee. In 1920 the Chinese population in her children a work ethic that of Portland was roughly 70 resi• ' The Priority Bank.ing prognmoffers a,npge of Unron Bank. ~roducts and services spurred success. In 1952 Toy Len combined balances of ~ I 00.000 Of" more in qualifying accounts. Terms and co dents. to change. You may be assigned to another program or product if you no had the honor of being named Maine ~ersona1, In 2000 there were a little over Priority Banking. See our AHAbout or AU About BuSiI'lf$S, Accoullts & Mother of the Year and American 2,000 Chinese Americans 4t the state Mother of the Year. PACIFIC iii CrnZEN NATIONAL NOV. 7-20, 2008 11 'GO FOR BROKE' history. He just hasn't gotten around she said. to it. "My generation should appreciate (Continued from page 1) Still, he realizes the importance of the hard work and sacrifice that telling the story of how a group of raised Japanese Americans to posi• "It is crucial that the Nisei story young JA men fought with honor tions of leadership in government, lives on, and many veterans have not even while their own families were education, law, medicine - oppor• yet shared their stories,'" said the confined behind barbed wire. tunities that were not available Yonsei from her home in Torrance, "Most grandchildren do not know before the War." Calif. "It is important for us, as the their grandfather served in wwn," younger generation, to carry on the he said. "It is very important that we Time is Running Out stories and legacy of 'Go For tell the story to the future genemtions When Neil Yamamoto, 26, of Broke.'" as the wwn Nisei will soon be Hawaii wanted to learn more about Robyn recently recorded her gone." the Nisei veterans legacy, the oppor• grandfather's story on film. , "My tunity to ask his grandfathers first• For many of these grandchildren, Grandfather, My Hero: An curiosity about their grandfather's hand had sadly passed. Harumi American Story," was her senior the• NISEI LEGACY: World War II veterans (I-I) George Fujimori, Ken Akune, war experiences had the same ori• Yamamoto and Harry Hiramoto• sis as a film major at Occidental and Tetsuo Asato volunteer as docents at the Go for Broke monument gins: a high school or college assign• Harumi of the 442nd and Harry who College. She hopes to eventually in Los Angeles' Little Tokyo. ment. served as a technical sergeant in enter the film on the festival circuit. Washington during had Erin Tanaka, 25, a second lieu• wwn - "She got things out of me that no '''There are not many of us left Crescenta, Calif. "Having been tenant in the Air Force who is cur• passed away in 1996 and 1995, one else could," said Tetsuo who respectively. . now," he said. "What we did, what through the War with each other has rently doing her medical residency was confined at the Heart Mountain "I wish I had more time with them happened to us, despite all that we brought them to feel like family. in New York, remembers sitting internment camp When he was draft• went to War. It's our American story The event felt almost like a large down with her grandfather Earl and I wish I had leamed more from ed by the U.S. Army at the age of 18. ... and we are passing it on." family reunion." Tanaka's fellow 422nd soldiers for a them," said Neil. "It sadly was only Like many of the Nisei veterans, She ended up learning more about middle school project. after they died that I began to under• Tetsuo did not share his war experi• Talking Story and Reunions the other Nisei vets than her own No matter how hard she tried, she stand the legacy of the Japanese ences with his children or grandchil• American veterans, and my interest Mika Ito, 25, recently went to her grandfather who' still says very little couldn't get them to talk about their dren. It was only after volunteering first Nisei veterans reunion in Las about his combat experience. But the own heroics. Instead they praised has since blossomed into somewhat as a docent at the Go For Broke Vegas. It was the first time she saw .. reunion was the impetus she needed of a career." their war buddies and what they Monument in Little Tokyo that he her grandfather Lawson Sakai, 85, to enlist her family members in help• accomplished as a group. Today, Neil works as an education began to feel more comfortable shar• amongst a roomful of his fellow ing to document her grandfather's Like the other grandchildren, she department assistant at the USS ing his story. 442nd comrades. story. feels an obligation to pass on her Missouri Memorial Association of He believes it's important that the '''The bond that many of the vets '''There is an urgency to learn as grandfather's legacy but she also Pearl Harbor, Hawaii where he helps descendants of the Japanese have with e'ach other is something much as we can before it's too late," wants to build on what they accom• tell the story of the USS Missouri to American wwn veterans help pass that can't compare to any other rela- said Mika. 'This is a major learning the younger genemtions. plished. on their legacy. tionship," said the Yonsei from La process for me, but I'm doing my "For me personally, the Nisei This Veterans Day he· plans to best to do as much as possible as legacy is more than heroism on the honor the Nisei veterans at a special soon as possible before it's too late." battlefield ... I also think about the sunset ceremony at the USS KOKUSAI-PACIFICA Lawson knows his granddaughter sense of volunteerism and sacrifice Missouri. wants him to start writing down his 2009/2010 TOURS associated with their generation," See 'GO FOR BROKE'lPage 16

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Administen.>d by: 1-800-503-9230 Our hearing.impaired or ''Early Bird savings - call for brochure" MARSH OR VISIT voice-impaired members may Affinity Group S ~rvkes call the Relay line at TOURS INCLUDES - flights, hotels, sightseeing & most meals. a service of Seabury &- Smith www·iaclinsurance.com 1-800-855-2881 "Fuel Surcharges Additional" 312485132756/34019/34020 (20081 All plans may vary and may not be available in all states. * UnderwriHen by: The United States life Insurance Company in the City of New York, a subsidiary of American International Group, Inc. (AIG). ** Underwritten by (depending on your stote of residence) Transomerica life Insurance Company, Cedar Rapids, IA 52499; Monumental life KOKUSAI INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL, INC. AG6545 4911 Warner Ave., Suite 221, Huntington Beach, CA 92649 Insurance Company, Cedar Rapids, IA 52499; For NY residents, Transomerica Financial life Insurance Company, Purchase, NY. *** UnderwriHen by: Hartford life and Accident Insurance Company, Simsbury, CT 06089. 6990125 I· 714/840-0455 - FAX 714/840-0457 [1006444:10] 12 NOV. 7-20, 2008 NATIONAL PACIFIC is CmZEN APA NONPROFITS foundations and corporations failure in American history, federal have Qeen left reeling. regulators seized the troubled WaMu (Continued from page 1) But at risk in the fallout of the and reached a deal to sell most of the programs, said Chen, their manager financial crisis are not just the APA operations to JP Morgan Chase. of 'development and communica• nonprofits, but also the vulnerable Narasaki does not know if their grant tions. APA communities they serve. will be renewed. Like many others, Chen has been In 2007, banks were the second• following the news about the global A Critical Need largest corporate givers to the U.S. credit crunch, rising unemployment In an election. year, where nonprofits. The crisis in the financial and the implosion of some of the America's socioeconomic map only sector adds more hardship to a year nation's leading fmancial institu• includes Wall Street and Main Street in which experts say corporate giv• tions. One headline hit close to home - where political leaders tout the ing already has been down. A recent U.S. citizen celebrates his new status with ACRS. forAALEAD, rights of "Joe the Plumber" - APAs "It's difficult. I don't know how "Freddie Mac was a dedicated want to know where they stand. about $11 million. In the current food crisis, ACRS ACRS will be," she said. ACRS' last funder of our Family Strengthening Paul the Landscaper says his busi• They've already felt the impact of only has the money to feed their fundraiser generated less revenue program," said Chen, adding that the ness is diversified enough to be the economic downturn, said clients for eight months. They've than in the previous year. It's been troubled mortgage behemoth recent• recession-proof so far. However, he Narasaki. Their nutrition program, had to reduce their rice distribution . consistent with most nonprofits - ly changed their funding priorities has lost some business from devel• which includes a community food by half. regular funders just don't have the and phased out youth programs. In opers who have foreclosed on their bank, is the third most used food "It hurts the staff and the volun• financial means to give anymore, September, Freddie Mac was taken properties. bank in Washington's King County teers in the' food banks," said said Narasaki. over by the federal government as it "I think this is a temporary lull," Narasaki about giving smaller - where APAs make up over 13 A Balancing Act faced growing losses. said Paul Saito, the owner of Saito percent of the county's population. amounts of rice. "It's really painful For the next fiscal year, the JACL "We're really scrambling here," Associates, a landscape architecture Unlike other food banks, ACRS to see the great need not being met." is projecting a deficit if the budget is said Chen. and urban planning company in stocks rice and produce familiar to The organization's financial not adjusted, said Larry Oda, nation• Since the economic downturn, Fresno, Calif. the APA palate. But in one year, the crunch is at the center of what seems al JACL president. "Our revenues, AALEAD has seen a decrease in It's a prediction APA nonprofits cost of rice has more than doubled to be a perfect storm. including investment income and grants, so they've had to cut activi• can only hope for. while ACRS has seen an influx of Most of ACRS' funding comes membership revenue, are at risk." ties like field trips and workshops 'The actual impact of the crisis new clients who are suffering from from government sources at the fed• The 79-year-old nonprofit - with hired trainers and speakers. remains to be seen, but the potential the bad economy. eral, state, county and city levels. which champions civil rights, pro• For now, they're fortunate enough impact is devastating," said Diane "People come from far and wide," But Washington is projecting a motes educational values and pre• to keep from cutting existing pro• Narasaki, executive director of the said Narasaki. Most are elderly peo• deficit of $3.2 billion. ~g County serves the heritage and legacy of the grams by using money in their Seattle-based Asian Counseling and ple on fixed incomes trying to make is anticipating a $93 million deficit. Japanese American community - reserves to cover shortfalls, said Referral Services (ACRS). ends meet, but lately she has seen To make matters worse, ACRS has also been affected by the eco• Chen. But this is the last year they Many APA families can't turn to . more younger people and families had previously received annual nomic downturn. will be able to do that. mainstream services because of lan• with children who rely on ACRS as grants from Washington Mutual, the The JACL relies on membership There are more than 900,000 pub• guage and cultural barriers. At its their main food source. savings and loan giant, to support revenue as well as individual and lic charities in the United States. And main office at 3639 Martin Luther In recent days, people have lined their vocational services program. given the qatering economy, many King Jr. ay and its Bellevue office, up outside the food back at 5 am. to On Sept. 25 in the largest bank See APA NONPROFITSlPage 16 nonprofits - which rely on the gen• ACRS serves 23,000 clients in 30 wait until ACRS opens at 11 a.m., erosity of individual contributors, languages with an annual budget of said Narasaki. (lmericon HOlidQ\{1fQvel 2009 Tour Schedule aI~O. EGYPT-NILE RIVER TOUR I (SOLD OUl) JAN 16-26 •.~I~tM~befOf1MD1~B ... lue. ". Shi.,. e.ld.. of c.....; ~biIll!lN~al~ mia "At' Ciliro, Luxor, Nile River Cruise, Kom Ombo, AsNan, Abu SimbeL w . ~ HOKKAIDO SNOW FESTIVAL TOUR FEB 2-11 Sapporo, Abashiri, Lake Akan, Sounkyo, Asahikawa, OIaru, Shiraoi, Noboribetsu. See 5 Snow/lce Festivals. Ride icebreaker ship "Aurora". EGYPTINILE RIVER TOUR II NEW TOUR FEB 21-MAR 3 KOREA DRAMA SPRING HOLIDAY TOUR MAR 27-APR 8 Seoul, Cheju Island, Busan, Daegu, Daejon, ChuncheonlNamiseom Island. JAPAN SPRING COUNTRYSIDE TOUR APR 15-25 Tokyo, Tendo Onsen, Akita, Hirosaki, Lake Towada, Morioka. Matsushima, Higashiyama Onsen. EASTERN CANADA HOLIDAY TOUR MAY 3-11 Montreal, Quebec City, Ottawa, Toronto, Niagara Falls. GRANDPARENTS/GRANDCHILDREN JAPAN TOUR I (SOLD OUl) JUN 28-JUL 7 Tokyo, Hakone, Atami, Hiroshima, Miyajima, Kyoto, Nara. GRANDPARENTS/GRANDCHILDREN JAPAN TOUR II JUL 7-16 Kyoto, Nara. Hiroshima, Miyajima, Atami, Hakone, Tokyo. ALASKA HOLIDAY CRUISE JUL 26-AUG 2 Seattle, Glacier Bay, Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan, Victoria City. HOLLAND AMERICA Westerdam Ship. EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN/GREECE HOLIDAY CRUISE AUG 22-SEPT 3 Venice, Croatia, Athens, Istanbul, Mykonos, Kusadasi, Santorini, Olympia. HOLLAND AMERICA Oosterdam Ship. PANA CONVENTION SOUTH AMERICA TOUR SEPT PANA Convention - Uruguay, Argentina, Brazil. Option to Peru. NEW ENGLAND HOLIDAY TOUR OCT 1-8 Boston, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire. Day trips on historic trains: Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad, Conway Scenic Railroad, Green Mountain Ryer Railroad, Essex Steam Train. OKINAWA-KYUSHU HOLIDAY TOUR OCT 11-23 Naha, Kagoshimallbusuki, Miyazaki, Nobeoka, Takachiho, Mt. Aso, Beppu, Kumamoto, Nagasaki, Fukuoka. CANYONLAND GE:TAWAY HOLIDAY NOV 8-13 Laughlin, Grand Canyon, Valley of Rre Park, Mesqu~e, Bryce Canyon, Zion Canyon, Las Vegas. Health Plans for.California We can also assist you with: Low-cost airfares to Japan, Japan Individual Tour arrangements, . Japan Railpass, Hotels, Cars, Cruises, Hawaii arrangements, Individual Tour Packages, Organizations/Clubs/Family group tours JACl Members and cruises. For information and reservations, please write or call to: Call the JACL Health Benefits Administrators at AMERICAN HOLIDAY TRAVEL 312 E. 1ST ST., #510, Los Angeles, CA 90012 1.800.400.6633 Tel: (213) 625-2232; Fax: (213) 625-4347 or visit www.jaclhealth.org Ernest & Carol Hida ;~I'~;, ~.I.r!l~rl~ ('1 :: ~[·1:·~ l~~",~oe CST #2000326-10 PACIFIC iiiIi CrnZEN NATIONAL NOV. 7-20, 2008 13

AUTISM Silence, many say, is reaching epi• Lawrence Cultural Barriers demic proportions especially in the Getting her second generation (Continued from page 1) Wang, Asian Pacific American community pictured • Chinese American parents to under• where developmental disorders are shut and walking towards an here at 1 stand their grandson's autism diag• unknown future. often misunderstood and treated as nosis was "the most painful thing in years old That was almost seven years ago family seCrets. If left unchecked, the world," said Kristina Chew, 39. looking at when Sophia heard exactly why silence can lead to depression and Charlie Fisher, now 11 and a half, Kevin was not developing speech even death, said Anna Wang, co• his fingers, is Kristina's and husband james skills. Autism is a range of disorders founder of the Fremont-Calif. was in his Fisher's first and only child. They that hind~rs the ability to communi• Dream Center, the nation's only own world. named him after her grandfather and cate and interact. Most doctors APA autistic-focused center. . began planning for his college edu• PHOTO: ANNA WANG believe there is no cure. "It is really a prevalent issue," said cation. Both Kristina and James are At one and a half, other children Anna, whose 18-year-old son . cultural approach to treating autism. eye contact and the tendency to college professors. his age were talking up a storm Lawrence was also diagnosed with In May, FCSN began leasing a avoid crowds. An estimated one in Charlie was diagnosed with while Kevin remained silent. He did• autism at three years old. ''1 am a 2,00Q-square-foot facility in a San . 150 American children is diagnosed autism in 1999 after Kristina noticed n't play with other children. At 17 minority within the minority trying . Jose, Calif. strip mall for expanded with autism. It transcends all race, warning signs - delayed speech months, he finally took his first steps to break out of that." programs. sex and socioeconomic borders. and poor social skills. Sometimes he - on tiptoe. Yet Sophia, who is first A Dream Village Over the years, Anna has seen "People need to pay attention to would spend hours just opening and generation Vietnamese ~erican, FCSN's membership grow from these warning signs especially in the closing the lid of a CD case. People say it takes a village to found it hard to believe her hand• double digits to 600. The communi• Asian community," said Anna. At fIrst, Charlie's grandparents raise a child, so Anna and a few other some son was developmentally dis• ty has come a long away since Kaoru Fujimoto's l1-year-old son tried to rationalize the behavior. like-minded APA parents decided to abled. FCSN's inception, she said. When fIrst started going to the Dream Kristina was a docile baby, so they build one. "He's cute," said Sophia, 41.''1 Lawrence was diagnosed with Center three years ago for cooking thought Charlie was the same. What began in 1996 as a support denied everything and didn't trust autism, Anna and her physician hus• class and after school academic sup• "It was very difficult for them to group has grown into a viable non• anyone." band Albert Wang, fell into many port. The Shin Issei mother from the admit that Charlie had a problem." profit organization - the Friends of Until recently, Sophia kept cultural trappings. Bay Area had been searching for an Before her life was touched with Children with Special Needs Kevin's autism a secret - even When Anna expressed concem APA support group on the internet the disorder, Kristina knew nothing (FCSN) - complete with its own from his grandmother. Instead she about young Lawrence's poor lan• when she came across information about autism or children with special 6,OOO-square-foot Fremont head• focused on learning more about the guage skills, community members on FCSN. needs. Like every other member of quarters and apartment complexes condition and privately working reassured her that boys tend to begin ''For me, I'm comfortable because her family, she excelled in school. for families with children who are with her son on his social skills. She speaking later than girls. they are Asian. I really appreciate it," She never met anyone in special enrolled in their over 30 programs. never brought Kevin to parties or "People said, 'Wow, your kid said Kaoru, 42. education, so she had to come to On certain days at the Dream showed him off to her co-workers. doesn't even make noise. You can She has heard many stories about terms with the idea that things may Center, Master Ricky leads Shaolin "I was afraid to ta1k," said Sophia. take him to a restaurant!'" Japanese parents who have attempt• be different for Charlie. kung fu classes for adults and And after so many years of silence, Many children with autism devel• ed suicide because of the pressure "It was unfathomable at first," school-age children with special she has found her voice. Now, she op normally through their first year. and stress of raising a child with spe• said Kristina, who now blogs about needs. On those days, the hallways can't stop gushing about Kevin, 9. In their second year, definite signs of cial needs. autism. "He's not going to college? echo with students shouting ''Ha! He's a loving brother and a thought• developmental disorders will mani• 'They try to hide it from other He's not going to play the violin?" Ha! Ha!" with each movement. ful helper around the house. fest,including poor social skills, poor people," she said. It's part of the center's holistic and See AUTlSMlPage 16

HONORING THE PAST. CELEBRATING OUR FUTURE.

If you or someone close to your heart needs additional assistance with daily living, there's a place of comfort and joy waiting. That place is Nikkei Senior Gardens - a unique assisted living .community NIKKEI• in the Arleta area where seniors can live as independently as possible, yet be surrounded by the SENIOR GARDENS culture, family and warmth of the Japanese-American community. Here you'll discover the compassion, security and care you expect, in a convenient location that keeps loved ones close to each other. ASSISTED LIVING MEMORY SUPPORT There's no better time than now! Nikkei Senior Gardens is scheduled to open in December. Call (818) 8?9-1000 today to find out more. Nikkei Senior Gardens is a non-profit community open to all.

Nikkei Senior Gardens 9221 Arleta Avenue • Arleta, CA 91331 (818) 899-1000 • wvvw.NikkeiSeniorGardens.com .SENIORITY, IN C. . "'-""'s./... c.-.....,...... s,...... ,,.,~u...., 14 NOV. 7-20, 2008 CALENDAR PACIFIC is CrnZEN

2976 or 440/268-9674. Freeman and Georgette Imura; DAYTON keynote speakers, Carole Calendar - Sun., Dec. 14-JACL Holiday Hayashino, Jerry Enomoto and Kiyo ------Party; 2-6 p.m.; Wright State Sato; -$251Fl0rin JACLers, students East University; potluck. and seniors, $30/general admission. BOSTON MEDICINE LAKE, Minn. Info: 916/525-0716 or Sat., Nov. IS-Paul Niwa, My Life Sat., Nov. IS-Twin Ci~es JACL's [email protected]. as an Alien: Tales of an Asian 62nd Anniversary Chrysanthemum SAN FRANCISCO American Expatriate in Asia; 4:30-6 Banquet; 5 p.m. silent auction, 6 Sat., Nov. 22-Play reading and p.m.; Emerson College Walker p.m. dinner and program; at the book signing; 2 p.m.; NJAHS, \684 Building, Room W233, 120 Chateau, 10715 South Shore Dr.; Post St.; play reading from Hiroshi Boylston St.; Niwa is a joumalism Tom Ikeda, keynote speaker; Kashiwagi's "The Betrayed"; professor at Emerson College; pre- $30/adu1t, $20INisei, $13/child Kashiwagi will be signing his book sented by New England JACL. Info: under 12; RSVP by Nov. 3 to Joanne Shoe Box Plays following the play [email protected] or 781/259- Kumagai, 763/420-6639. Late reser- reading. 9444. vations will not be accepted. Central Calforria Fri., Dec. S-Annual Harry Dow PaciFIC Northwest CLOVIS Dinner; 6:30-9:30 p.m.; China Pearl PORTLAND Feb. 14-16-CC-NCWNP-PSW On Ensemble performs Sat., Nov. 8 at the AratanilJapan America Restaurant, 9 Tyler St.; Tina Sun., Nov. 16-Lecure, t N ancy JACL Tri-District Conference; . Matsuoka is the keynote speaker; M B th f ''B boo· Theater in Los Angeles' Little Tokyo. The program is a musical odyssey oore ess, au or 0 am m events include: golf tournament, $ 125/person. Info: Zenobia Lai, of undulating rhythm and groove. 857/919-0565 or Japan"; 2-3 p.m.; Portland Japanese local tours, Saturday mixer, youth Garden, 611 SW Kingston Dr.; Bess dance, plenary sessions and dedica• [email protected]. Thu., Nov. 13-Screening, "Only Hawaii who is now the 3rd most NEW YORK will lecture on bamboo in Japan; tion of the Pinedale Memorial. the Brave"; 7:30 p.m.; U.C. $15/garden members, $20/non• senior senator in the U.S.; present• Sat., Nov. 15-Screening, ''The members (reservations required). Southern Calforria Riverside, University Lecture Hall ed by the San Diego JACL. Footprints of Japanese-American RSVP . d rnJ 1000, 900 :University Ave.; free. : www.Japanesegar en.co LOS ANGELES Sun., Dec. 14-Book signing and Soldiers"; 1-5 p.m.; Japanese events or 503/542-0280. Sat., Nov. 8-On Ensemble '08: Info: 951/203-9146 or nichibein- lecture, "Japanese Americans in American Association of New York, . [email protected]. Through Jan. 11, 2009-Exhibit, YOBU; 8 p.m.; Aratani/Japan San Diego"; 2 p.m.; Downtown 15 W. 44th St., 11th Floor; personal "Oregon Nisei Baseball: The Early America Theatre, 244 S. San Pedro SAN DIEGO San Diego Public Library - accounts by Nisei soldiers will fol- Years"; Oregon Nikkei Legacy St.; a musical odyssey of undulating Thu., Nov. 13-Book signing and Central Branch, 820 E. St.; author low the screening; free; hosted by Center, 121 NW 2nd Ave.; hours: rhythm and groove; $30/orchestra, lecture, "Japanese Americans in Susan Hasegawa will be on hand New York JACL. Info: Aileen Tue.-Sat. 11-3 p.m. and Sun. noon-3 $25/JACCC members and seniors; San Diego"; 6-8 p.m.; San Diego to sign copies of the book. Info or Yamaguchi, 212/873-4170, ailee- p.m.; $3/admission; exhibit honors tickets: 213/680-3700. Info: Historical Society, Museum of RSVP: 619/236-5800. San Diego History, 1649 El Prado, [email protected] or Lillian Kimura, th e 10th·anmversary 0f the ONLC . www.jaccc.org. 973/680-1441, [email protected]. Suite #3; author Susan Hasegawa Hawaii Info: 503/224-1458 or www.ore- Sat., Dec. 6-Spirit of the Season 7 WASHINGTON, D.C. __ :1, 1, • HONOLULU gouw...... el.org. by Hiroshima; 7:30 p.m.; will be on hand to sign copies of Toe., Nov. 18--Conference on Aratani/Japan America Theatre; spe• the book. Info or RSVP: 619/232- Wed., Nov. 12-William S. Asian Pacific American nterl11Oll"ltain cial holiday concert by Hiroshima 6203, ext. 129. Richardson School of Law recog• Leadership's 19th Annual Benefit DENVER with Terry Steele lPld Tetsuya Sat., Nov. IS-Screening, nizes Professor Eric Yamamoto; Gala; 6-9 p.m.; Four Seasons Hotel, Sat.-Sun., Nov. IS-I6-Exhibit, Nakamura; $36.50/orchestra, "Daniel K. Inouye: An American 5:30 p.m.; Oahu Country Club; 2800 Pennsylvania Ave.; keynote Reflections on the JA Experience in $31lbalcony, $28/JACCC members Story"; 1-2 p.m.; Serra Mesa• featuring Julie Su and Dean Avi speakers include Norman Mineta, Colorado; 11-2 p.m.; Japanese and groups of 10. Tickets: 213/680- Kearny Mesa Public Library, 9005 Soifer; RSVP by Nov. 5 to law• the Honorable James Ho and American Resource Center of 3700. Info: ~.jaccc.org. Aero Dr.; this biographical film [email protected] or 808/956- Congressman Mike Honda (invited); Colorado; exhibit on the history of RIVERSIDE tells the story of the senator from 8478 .• . Info and tickets: www.capal.org. Sakura Square and farming commu------, ftIIdwest nities in Colorado. CLEVELAND Northern Calforria /lAND NOW I Sat., Nov. 8-39th Annual Japanese SACRAMENTO ALSO SEE WHAT American Holiday Fair; 1-5 p.m.; St. Sat., Jan. 31, 2009-Florin JACL Ignatius High School, 1911 West Officer Installation and Fundraiser PART OF ME 30th St.; free; food, craft and pro• Reception, "Strength Through IS CHINESE. duce booths plus entertainment, door Unity"; 2-4 p.m.; Sacramento State prizes and more; sponsored by Library Art Gallery, 6000 J St.; spe• IT IS SO OBVIOUS. Cleveland JACL. Info: 216/921- cial awards to Amos and Mary IT IS MY FAMILY. Season's Greetings IT IS IN OUR From BLOOD." Centenary UMC ~ THE JOY LUCK CLUB

Once again the Holioay's are fast approaching. Our second edition of "CENTE• BEYOND PRESENCE: NARY FAVORITES" is available HER STORIES OUR STORIES and would make a great gift. A series of Saturday forums discussing There are 200 new reCipes in a Asian American women 3-ring binder and is typed in large print for easy reading. A 584 page More info at www.eastwestplayers.org book of Western-style and Asian-style cooking. A special section on Japanese New Year dishes and sushi preparation with step-by-step instructions and diagrams. WWW.EastWestPlayers.org Our book can be ordered by mail for $30 plus $6 for postage/han• dling (shipped within the USA). Checks made payable to Centenary (213) 625-7000 UMC-Cookbook Project and send to Centenary United Methodist David Henry Hwang Theater Church, 300 S. Central Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90013. Books are at the Union Center for the Arts also available for pick-up at church or regional locations. Call for 120 Judge John Aiso Street in the more information, (213) 617-9097. Little Tokyo district, downtown l.A. To ensure delivery before Christmas, all orders should be submit• ted by December 1. PACIFIC e CmZEN OBITUARIES NOV. 7-20, 200815 DEATH NOTICE Yukiko Sugihara, Wife of Former Japanese Consul, Passes ELEANORE KAZUKO NAKASIllMA TOI By Pacific Citizen Staff government, Chiune issued visas for Eleanore Kazuko Nakashima Toi was born in Fresno to Hiteyo and Hiroshi the Jews so they could get safe pas• Nakashima on Dec. 27, 1926 and suddenly passed away at her home in Fremont on Oct. 10, 2008. Yukiko (nee Kikuchi) Sugihara, sage away from the German troops. She is survived by her son, Dr. Randall H. Toi of Alamo; two loving grand• the wife of the late Japanese Consul Yukiko was born in 1913 in daughters, Erin Hiteyo Toi and Blair Misao Toi; her sister, Betty Jane Oki of Chiune Sugihara, passed away Oct. Nurnazu and grew up on the island Reedley; brother, S. Stephen Nakashima of San Jose; and faithful dog, Doxie. 707 East Temple Street 8 at the age of 94. . of Shikoku. She met and married She was predeceased by her loving husband of 42 years, Joseph H. Toi, who Gerald Fukui Los Angeles, CA 90012 President Chiune was stationed at the Chiune in 1935. They had four sons: was taken from her in 1990; older sister, Bernice; and younger brother, Yukio. Consulate in Hiroki, Haruki, Nobuki and Chiaki. Eleanore was an avid bridge player, belonging to the Fremont Senior Ph. 2131626-0441 Center Bridge Group and several local groups for many years. She also loved Kaunas, Lith• Haruki passed away in 1946 and spending many hours working in her immaculate garden at her Fremont home Fax 2131617-2781 uania prior to Hiroki - who founded a non-prof• for over 37 years. She was a faithful 4ger fan, an ardent Cal Bears, Oakland the onset of it in San Francisco in honor of his ~s, and Giants fan and a devout Steve Young admirer who rarely missed a wwn. Along father - passed away in 200 1. 4ger's home game over the past 25 years! with Yukiko's Yukiko's ashes will be interred at Her effervescent personality and joyous laugh will truly be missed but she OTA support, the cou• Karnakura where she will be joined will finally be reunited with her one and only true love, Joseph. KKEI by her husband Chiune and their two Private services were held at Alta Mesa Memorial Park Cemetery, 695 MORTUARY ple helped save Arastradero Rd., Palo Alto, on Oct. 17, 2008. thousands of sons. Formal services will take place In lieu of flowers, donations can be made. to Aldersgate United Methodist Jews from the horrors of Hitler's · Nov. 9 in Tokyo in the Aoyarna Church, 4243 Manuela Ave., Palo Alto, CA 94306

91 1 VENICE BOULEVARD DEATH NOTICE Los ANGELES, CAUFORNIA 900 1 5 he gave, and if you are defined by TEL(213)7~1449 EDWIN ENDOW those you have lost, you are wonder• FAX(213)7~265 (Continued from page 1) MINORUENDO a*D~flIt01 ~ f>I!!~~ttn't:K\"n';T . fully equipped to share that same Minoru Endo passed away peacefully on October 27, 2008, at the age of 91. His wife of 64 years, Aya, passed away previously on August 31, 2006. www.kubotanikkeimortuary.com imperatives. goodness. • He leaves his sons, Keith and Larry; his daughters-in-law, Debbie and Caron; I carne to know Ed well following Keith and Debbie's children, Sarah, Corey, and Seth; and Larry and Caron's DEATH NOTICE his election to the JACL national Bill Yoshino is the JACL Midwest children, Sasha and Josh. In addition, he leaves his great-grandchildren, PAUL TSUKASA board in 2004. I saw in him a leader• regional director. Anna, Naomi, and Sophie. ship style that placed a prernium on Min Endo was born in 1917 to Shinnosuke Endo and Tei Kasuya Endo in MATSUMURA San Francisco, Calif. His pre-war years were spent in California. He gradu• Feb. 10, 1919 - Oct. 13, 2008 clarity and frankness. During discus• JACL Expresses Sympathy ated from the University of California at Berkeley: Like other West Coast Passed away peacefully on Oct. sions, Ed often asked for repeated Nikkei, he was interned in the interior during WWIJ, in his case at the Topaz, . 13, 2008. He is survived by his explanations to help unwind compli• For Endow's Passing Utah relocation camp. He married Aya Mineta of San Jose, California, just wife, Sachiko; sons, Brian, Wayne cated issues, less for his benefit than (Terry), Scottt (Linda) and Cary after the war's beginning so as to remain with her during the war. He joined to ensure that his colleagues fully . Edwin Endow of Stockton, Calif., the U.S. Army in 1942 as part of the Military Language School at Camp (Judy); grandchildren, Courtney, a former national JACL board mem• Kelly, Corey, Ryan, Jordan, understood the impact of their deci• Savage, Minnesota, and later at Fort Snelling, Minnesota. He was part of the ber, passed away on Oct. 25 after a Maiyah, Tarniko (Moses), Mariko sions. I also saw him display the U.S. Military Intelligence in post-war occupied Japan until 1949. Mter his battle with cancer. war service, Min moved to New York City and joined American Commercial, (Robert), Yahmai (Vai); brother, courage to stand alone knowing that ''I arn deeply saddened to hear of Inc. and Mikasa, becoming vice-president during his long career there. Arthur of Detroit, Mich.; and sister, he would incur the wrath of others Throughoui his- long life, Min served his community, particularly the Laura (Tod) of Denver, Colo. because he believed strongly in the Edwin's passing. He was a close As were his wishes, there will be churches to which he belonged, the Japanese American Citizen's League, the rightness of a chosen path. friend and an effective member of no services. A private celebration of Kiyosato Experimental Education Project, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Ed never minced words about his the national board," said Larry Oda, the company for which he worked for 40 years, and most of all, his family. his life will be held by his family. national JACL president. "He Memorial donations may be dedication to the JACL. He often For those who wish, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the worked tirelessly for the JACL for made to the Japanese Cultural and c,iescribed the commitment of stead• Japanese American United Church, 255 7th Avenue, New York, NY 10001, many years at the chapter, district or Christ United Presbyterian Church, 1700 Sutter St., San Francisco, CA Community Center of Northern fast members using well-worn and national levels .. He was a good 94115." California, 1840 Sutter St., San ·cliches about how they bled for the Francisco, CA 94115. guy and a good friend. We will rniss organization. He was neither embar• him." rassed nor dissuaded from wrapping Endow served as Stockton JACL himself in loyalty to JACL or in car• ~eserve your spot in the 2008 Holiday Issue ~ ~ chapter president and NCWNP rying out his official membership membership chair. He was elected Call 800/966-6 I 57 today. ;$ ~ duties. I think Ed always worried * * *- national JACL vice president for about doing right by the JACL mem• membership in 2004 and was re• bers he served, which caused him to elected to a second two-year term in explore services to attract members ~PACIFIC 2006. He was also a recipient of the National business and and provide tangible benefits JACL Sapphire Pin for his years of riiiCITIZEN Professional Directory beyond simply appreciating their dedicated service to the JACL. support for the organization. Earlier this year Edwin resigned Your business card in each issue for 22 issues is $15 per line, three-line minimum. Larger type (12 pt.) counts as two lines. Logo same as line rate as required. RC. has It was also during Ed's national made no determination that the businesses listed in this directory are licensed by proper government authority. from the national board after being board stint that he began making diagnosed with cancer. Oaldand, Calif. Greater Los Angeles Seattle, Wash. periodic trips to Chicago to help with As v.p. of membership, Endow KITAZAWA SEED CO. Cambridge Dental Care the care of his elderly uncle, eventu• worked to increase membership and SINCE 1917 Scott Nishizaka D.D.S. ally having to dispose of his uncle's to bring new benefits to members of The Asian Vegetable Seed Source for Family Dentistry & Orthodontics business, sell his home, tend to his the JACL. He was also a strong Gardeners, Retailers, Growers 900 E. KateUa, Suite A health care needs and [mally, arrange Request a Catalog Orange, CA 92867 • (714) 538-2811 financial contributor as a Thousand for his funeral and burial. You learn p.o. Box 13220 Oakland, CA 94661·3220 www.cambridgedentalcare.com Club Life member and a charter ph: 510/595-1188 lx: 5101595-1860 a lot about a person in these situa• member of the Millennium Club. k~aseed@pacbeILnet kilazawaseed.com HOWARD IGASAKI, D.D.S., INC. ALAN IGASAKI, D.D.S. tions, and what I saw in Ed were "Edwin did a great deal for the Greater Los Angeles Dentallmplailts I General qualities of steadiness, empathy and JACL, and he will be sorely rnissed. 22850 Crenshaw Blvd., Ste. 102 Dr. Darlyne Fujimoto, compassion. As for Ed, he learned No one was more enthusiastic than Torrance, CA 90505 the meaning of cold weather and icy Optometrist & Associates (310) 534-8282 Edwin about doing rus part for the A Professional Corporation For the Best of driving conditions, the taste of a JACL in whatever capacity he was Phoenb:, Ariz. il420 E. South St, Cerritos, CA 90703 Everything Asian Chicago hot dog, the easiest routes serving," said Floyd Mori, national (562) 860·1339 YUKITADANO Fresh Produce, Meat, from Midway Airport to the north• JACL director. Paul Jay Fukushima REALTOR®, GRI Seafood and Groceries side and the hapless fortunes of a ''It was always a pleasure to be A vast selection of ATTORNEY AT LAW Chicago Cubs fan. around him. We are grateful to have :fil~.~~~ Gift Ware Ed's son, Robert, touchingly com• Wills & Trusts :,.. ~ ~ I ~{c.l ;ICb known him and extend our heartfelt Probate & Conservatorships Seattle, WA • (206) 624·6248 mented on his Facebook profile, sympathy to his family," :Mori [email protected] RESmENTlAl, BROKERAGE "today the world lost the best man I added. 12749 Norwalk Blvd. Suite 111 Bellevue, WA • (425) 747·9012 (602) 565-1630 ever knew." Yes, Robert, many of us Endow is survived by his wife Norwalk, CA 90650 yuki. [email protected] Beaverton; OR· (503) 643-4512 a~ Debbi and son Robert.• (562) 864-2575 www.azmoves.com your father for the goodness 16 NOV. 7-20, 2008 NATIONAL PACIFIC iii CmZEN 'GO FOR BROKE' Kenkichi sending a greeting to his APA NONPROFITS pletions as a preclude to revising the AUTISM 'family during the War and than 2009-10 budgets, said ada. "I (Continued from page 11) singing a Hawaiian song. (Continued from page 12) expect that there very well may be a (Continued from page 13) A few years ago he moved to scaling back of program expendi• "To honor the Nisei veterans, I corpOrate donations to fund its pro• In·the APA community, autism is Hawaii after living in California. It's tures, but I am committed to main• will make an offering at the family grams. Because of the downturn, the sometimes synonymous with mental been a great opportunity to learn tain staff levels." altar and will remember their sacri• Legacy Fund is below the threshold retardation, she added. The stigma more about the l00th in the local The JACL has weathered. fman• fices." for distribution, said ada. drives some parents to try to hide the libraries. Still, he hopes to be able to cial challenges before and the "staff Although some descendants of the "We based our next budget on an condition rather than ask for help. sit down with some vets. is experienced in accomplishing Nisei veterans were lucky enough to increase in membership, but our his• "Once a month I receive a call "I have never met anyone that was program goals with changing have welcomed their war heroes tory has shown a steady decline. Our from a parent who is home school• in the l00thJ442nd ... I would love resource pools," added ada. ''This ing [their special needs child]," said home, others were not. Matt budget is also dependent on invest• to talk story with the l00thJ442nd experience will be valuable in the Anna. Stevenson's great uncle Kenkichi ment income, which currently does veterans, especially those of course coming downturn." Once, the father of an APA family Kenneth Teruya, a second lieutenant not appear to be an option," he said. who were in my uncle's company," Nationally other nonprofits have who refused FCSN support killed of the lOOth, was killed June 5, Hard economic times may make he said. been responding to the challenge by his own son and committed suicide. 1944, near Lanuvio just before the membership dues unaffordable and "I feel an immense amount of launching fundraising appeals earli• "It's so heartbreaking," said Anna. liberation of Rome. additional contributions elusive. responsibility to pass on their story er. "Kids and families suffer if they It was when he was about 11 years The-key to weathering the finan• since my uncle never married and Many nonprofits depend on year• don't ask for help." old that Matt first heard about his ciai storm is a balancing act. had no children." Still, the community's perception The Finance Committee will meet end donations. AALEAD has shift• great-uncle's wartime service. He of autism and other developmental to review the current program com- ed its focus to fundraising. Board made the fateful mistake of asking disorders is much better now. Every Walking in Their Footsteps members have been given lists of his mother whether his grand-uncle year, FCSN and their students march A few years back, Robyn had a the D.C. area's top businesses to had served on the American or in the local Chinese New Year chance to visit Italy with her grand• where the ''three amigos" -' her . solicit. The families they serve Japanese side. parade. 'We show the Chinese com• father and fellow members of the . grandfather and his two best friends deserve a fighting chance, said "I will lIever forget the terrible munity we are out there." 442nd. In addition to hearing the Ken Akune and George Fujirnori - Chen. stink-eye I got from my mom when, I Many APA parents with special heartfelt stories of comrades in arms, greet passerbys as docents and share If services from APA nonprofits in my utter pre-teen ignorance, I needs children like Sophia have she walked along the very same . their wartime stories. are threatened, it's difficult for the asked ifhe fought for the Japanese or received the message. paths as the JA soldiers. "My grandfather has told me that, individuals they serve to turn some• Americans," said the 29-year-old "He's made a lot of progress," said "Actually hearing their stories, although he has shared his story where else. Yonsei. "I think a lot of my interest Sophia about Kevin. But once in - seeing what they experienced ... it numerous times, it never gets easi• ''The problem is the stereotype of in the l00thJ442nd has been to recti• awhile she daydreams about the truly opened my eyes," she said. er," she said. "It warms my heart the model minority," said Narasaki. fy my asking of such a horribly stu• opportunity to do it all over again. If In her free time, Robyn tries to when I see them together at the mon• Many think APAs don't need help. pid question. I definitely took an she could go back, she would seek dedicate as much time to the Go For ument and all the volunteers and ''The need exists." • immediate interest in the unit from help earlier. Broke Educational Center, a non• wives at the center. There is such a "I wouldn't wait." • that time." profit whose mission is to tell the strong sense of camaraderie, hard On the Web Today, Matt cherishes the few Nisei veterans story. work, and purpose. www.jacl.org On the Web memories he has of his great-uncle Sometimes she heads to the Go "I as a Yonsei, wish to follow www.acrs.org www.fcsnl996.org in<;luding a recording he has of for Broke Monument in Little Tokyo their example." www.aalead.org www.autismvox.com