RESOLUTION

MASAKAZU JACK FUJIMOTO

WHEREAS, Dr. Masakazu Jack Fujimoto is a recipient of the Japanese government's 2011 Fall decorations; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Fujimoto received the prestigious Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon, for his contributions to the advancement of Japanese language studies and the promotion of studies and Japanese culture; and

''~ 'WJ;:[EREAS, Dr. Fujimoto was born in 1928 in National City, San Diego County to parents, Morizo and Emi FuJimoto; and

WHEREAS, coming from a farming background, Dr. Fujimoto was expected to follow the tradition of the oldest son following the patriarch; however, he was Jeleased from that traditiori.iihd was the first in his · :fainilyto pursue acollege ectucat!on. br. Fi:¥moto iecdved his A.A. degree-af:Pasacteiiacit)r coife-ge.and his B.S., M.B.A. and Ph.D. at University of California, Los Angeles; and · f,Ji.•·, ··. ,:, WliEREAS, Dr. Fujimoto taught Japanese language for 12 years at Venice Gakuen~ il.pri'(ate community ~;i~"'';.:.>.,,school at the Venice Japanese Community Center, and worked closely with both the Los Angeles and Culver ~lll1'"""'·-,~(Gity Unified School Districts to secure credit for Venice Gakuen Japanese language students to meet the ~·anguage requirements for the University of California institutions; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Fujimoto was selected as a dean at Los Angeles Pierce College in Woodland Hills, California in 1969 where he established the Japanese language as an elective for college credit. He also introduced a course in "Man and Humanities in East Asia"; and

WHEREAS, in 1979 Dr. Fujimoto became president of where he introduced and taught Japanese language as a recognized college elective course and was successful in doing the same when he became president at Los Angeles Mission College in in 1989. Dr. Fujimoto served as president of Los Angeles Mission College unti11996, and from 2002 to 2003 served as superintendent­ president of in Imperial County, California; and

WHEREAS, while designing the Japanese language and humanities curriculum, Dr. Fujimoto visited various universities as well as the Ministry of Education in Japan, and for 30 years served as advisor to Kobe Women's College in Kobe, Japan and also taught at the Language Institute of Japan in Odawara, Kanagawa, Japan; and

WHEREAS, from 1983 to 1995, Dr. Fujimoto chaired the Board ofTrustees ofthe Institute of Buddhist Studies, a graduate seminary affiliated with the Berkeley, California-based Graduate Theological Union; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Fujimoto has been active with the Japanese Institute of Sawtelle since 1986 and orchestrated the merger of the Institute and its language school, Sawtelle Gakuen. In 2000 Dr. Fujimoto became its •founding chairman and president, a position he held until 2005 when he chaired the 80th anniversary of the Institute and Gakuen. Today, he serves as senior advisor to the Institute and Gakuen; and

WHEREAS, through Dr. Fujimoto's commitment to education and his continuing efforts to improve the welfare of others, he has been an inspirational example,of service for others to emulate; and

,~; t ~ e:. ,, ·).l" . ,.M·' _,,<. v u .c.u ;/. WHEREAS, Dr. Fujimoto authored the book, "Savvtelle: West Los Angeles Japan Town", a pictorial history of the Sawtelle community:

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that by the adoption ofthis resolution, the Los Angeles City Council and the Mayor commend Dr. Masakazu Jack Fujimoto on his numerous professional accomplishments and community contributions and congratulate him on receiving the prestigious Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon Award from the Japanese government.

Presented by: ~~;lg; BILLROSENDAHL ' Councilmember, 11th District ADOPT·ED· MAR 0 6::ZQ\l LOS ANGELES 0\lY COUNCil

Please date this January 31, 2012