Articles from Frank Iritani

California Civil Liberties Program Taking Applications

California Civil Liberties Public Education Fund (CCLPEF) was created last year via legislation introduced by Assemblyman Mike Honda (D-San Jose). Its purpose is to create educational material about the evacuation, relocation and internment of Americans of Japanese ancestry during WW II. The program will be administered by the California State Library with Diane Matsuda as project director.

Copies of the grant application are available by contacting her at: CCLPEP, 900 N Street, Room 300, Sacramento, CA 94237-0001, (916) 653-9404, FAX (916) 654-5829, E-mail: dmatsuda@library.ca.gov.

A series of informational meetings are scheduled throughout Northern California:

March 10, 5 - 8 p.m., at Fair Oaks Public Library, 11601 Fair Oaks Blvd, Fair Oaks, CA.
March 20, Noon-5 p.m., at Rancho Cordova Public Library, 9845 Folsom Blvd, Sacramento. Deadline for applications this fiscal year is April 9. Grants are $ 1 million a year for five years.

For Your Information:

The California State Assembly began its session of February 19--the 57th Anniversary of Executive Order 9066 which authorized the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II--with Sacramento Nisei VFW Post 8985 leading the flag salute and Pledge of Allegiance. On the same day the Assembly's two Japanese American members, Democrats George Nakano of Torrance and Mike Honda of San Jose, introduced a resolution declaring February 19 a Day of Remembrance in California. (From Hokabei Mainichi, 2-25-99)

Mike Honda was named "Legislator of the Year" with several other honorees by the Faculty Association of California Community Colleges February 25-27 in San Francisco. He sponsored AB 2804 which funded long overdue teacher's retirement and benefits.

For Your Information:

After paying out more than $1.6 billion to more than 82,000 persons of Japanese ancestry, Office of Redress Administration has ofricially closed. In addition, ORA paid$5,000 each to 145 Japanese Latin Americans. If there are any questions, contact Civil Rights Division, Department of Justice, P.O. Box 66260, Washington, D.C., 20035-6260. (202) 219-6900. (From Hokubei Mainichi, 2-24-99)

Nisei Congressmen Mentioned in Brokaw's Best Seller

Senator Daniel Inouye, Ex-Representatives Norman Mineta and Nao Takasugi are mentioned, including pictures, over several pages in "The Greatest Generation" by Tom Brokaw, NBC Anchor. The new book salutes the heroes of WW II as the "greatest generation that ever lived." Mineta and Takasugi are in the section "Shame" of American history.