Interesting Facts About Florin JACL

1.The Florin Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) was formally organized by the Nisei (second generation Japanese Americans) in 1935. It is one chapter of a nationwide volunteer, non-profit and educational organization striving to uphold the human and civil rights of Japanese Americans and all Americans. There are 115 chapters with 15,000 members including a chapter each in Japan and Hawaii, and Gay-Lesbian and Singles chapters in Los Angeles.

2.Yoshio Kiino (deceased), the first Nisei born in Florin, was the
first president of the chapter.

3.The Florin JACL was instrumental in DESEGREGATING Florin Grammar School in 1939 and bringing the community in line with democratic and constitutional principles.

4.In 1942, the chapter published nine Bulletins of information prior to the forced internment of "People of Japanese descent, Aliens and Non-aliens" following Executive Order 9066. Although the parents and relatives were confined in ten isolated relocation centers during WWII , fifty young NISEI FLORIN SOLDIERS fought a two-front war against the enemy and prejudice, and paid the supreme sacrifice.

5.Florin JACL, played a major role in the RESETTLEMENT of returning internees after the ten concentration camps were closed in 1945.

6.Alfred Tsukamoto (deceased) was Florin JACL's third president in 1937 and the first postwar president in 1947. William Kashiwagi was president for 9 terms and Carol Hisatomi was the first woman president in 1991.

7.Upon passage of the landmard 1952 Wlater-McCarran Immigration and Naturalization Act, this chapter promoted and assisted Issei to become NATURALIZED CITIZENS heretofore denied to them and others of Asian ancestry.

8.In 1962, annual Florin JACL SCHOLARSHIPS were initiated to encourage worthy students to continue their higher education. Current chairperson is Kimi Kaneko.

9.Florin JACL launched the Japanese American ORAL HISTORY PROJECT in collaboration with Dr. Carlson of American River Community College in 1987. Then in 1988, an association with California State University, Sacramento was established. Under the leadership of Marion Kanemoto, eighty completed histories are in the CSUS Library Archived in 1999. A complete set also rests in the UC Davis Library.

10.The chapter cooperated fully with national JACL over many years to seek REDRESS and reparations for losses incurred, and the removal and detention of 120,000 persons of Japanese ancestry most of whom were U.S. citizens. We enlisted help form Valley JACL chapters and raised $22,000 for the National JACL Legislative Education Committee. After the passage of HR 442 by Congress, President Reagan signed the Civil Rights Act of 1988 granting the nation's apology and $20,000 to each elligible person.

11.Mary Tsukamoto (deceased) Florin chapter charter member, teacher, speaker, and human rights activist, published the book We the People with Elizabeth Pinkerton in 1987.

12.In 1983, Florin chapter began its annual TIME OF REMEMBRANCE program. In observance of the February 19, 1942 Executive Order 9066, this event features notable speakers, and two weeks of children's sessions with speakers and an historical exibit which is open to the public. The Timie of Remembrance committee is chaired by Christine Umeda.

13.The annual WOMEN'S DAY FORUM was initiated in 1991 featuring contemporary health and family issues. Chairpersons are Eileen Namba Otsuji and Carol Hisatomi, both former chapter presidents.

14.Led by Andy Noguchi, president 1987 & 1992, Florin JACL, worked with other community groups apprehending and convicting fire-bomber Richar Campis, April 20, 1995, thus sending out the clear message that HATE CRIME AND RACISM will not be tolerated.

15.Under the leadershio of Florin JACL and with initial donation of Mary Tsukamoto documents, poster, artifacts and photos, and the historic Butsudan by the Florin Buddhist Church , the California State University, Sacramento Library Archives JAPANESE AMERICAN COLLECTION was started in 1994. And ENDOWMENT FUND was established to preserve and maintain for research and display current and future Japanese American materials.

16.The 60th ANNIVERSARY of Florin JACL was celebrated November 5, 1995 with $75,000 raised for the Endowment Fund of what is now known as the Japanese American Archival Collection (JAAC). Honorary Co-chairs of the Fund, Actor George Takei and Congressman Robert Matsui, led the tribute to our Issei pioneers, to those who endured the forced internment during WWII, and to the Nikkei sons who died in battle up in the camps. The endowment reached the $100,000 mark and a celebration was held on November 13, 1998 at CSUS where the collection is housed..