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WASHINGTON–Star power, political power and military power all combined to make a mega-wattage night at the annual National Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) gala dinner, held on September 12 in this nation’s capital.

            JACL honored two senators, one ambassador, one top Asian American advocate, and a major corporation at the event billed as “A Salute to Champions.”

Community advocate and actor George Takei provided Hollywood glamour and wit as award narrator and emcee. Takei is the famous Mr. Sulu in the highly-acclaimed “Star Trek” TV and film series. Top Japanese American Navy and Army officials, active and retired, were also among the VIPs present.

            National Executive Director Floyd Mori echoed National President Larry Oda’s message, stressing that the event honored “those who have gone beyond the call of duty in serving the Japanese American and Asian American communities.”

           Among the honorees was U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii), the third most senior member of the U.S. Senate, and recipient of the nation’s highest award for military valor, the Medal of Honor for his World War II service. One of the gala’s goals was to raise funds to establish a Public Policy Fellowship in his name. 

Senator Inouye

Inouye accepted the award on behalf of his father, who advised him to bring honor to this country and to the family as he set off to serve in WWII. Inouye also recalled his father’s great affection for America. His father became a U.S. citizen, he recalled, “just in time to vote for me” when he first ran for office.

            Aside from his roles in law-making and influencing policy, Inouye has given turning-point opportunities to individuals. Rear Admiral Jim Beebe, deputy commander Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet and deputy commander of the Navy Region Hawaii, told Asian Fortune: “I’m delighted to be here to honor a great man. He nominated me to the Naval Academy 36 years ago. I owe him a lot–my career, and my education at the Academy.”

            Other honorees were Karen Narasaki, president and executive director of the Asian American Justice Center (AAJC) and former JACL-DC officer, and State Farm Insurance Company, which has donated extensively to JACL programs and was honored as a corporate partner. U.S. Senator Larry Craig (R-Idaho), who has championed JACL causes, and Ambassador to the U.S. Ryozo Kato were also honored, but they were not present at the gala.

            Narasaki accepted the honor “on behalf of my board and my hardworking staff.” She paid tribute to her father’s service. She said he told her “to push hard” to live up to democratic ideals. She concluded by urging the audience, “You can be the change you want to be in this world.”

            In his videotaped acceptance remarks, Ambassador Kato, who was in Japan at the time of the ceremony, praised JACL “for being at the forefront” of promoting civil rights and human rights, as well as cultural values. He was recognized for enhancing Japan-U.S. relations, and bringing together Japanese business and political leaders and Japanese Americans.

About 500 JACL officers and guests, some of whom flew in from Hawaii and San Francisco, packed the ballroom at Marriott Hotel on Pennsylvania Avenue. JACL is the nation’s oldest and largest Asian American civil rights organization. It has an office here for over 50 years, but the gala was its first event of this magnitude held in the capital.

Program

The program started with Mark and Michael Mizusawa reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, wearing their Boy Scout and Cub Scouts uniforms, as their proud dad, Brig. Gen. Bert Mizusawa watched from the sidelines. Rebecca Zimmerman sang the national anthem.

            Musical entertainment was provided by virtuoso violinist Tamaki Kawakubo, first prize winner of the International Violin Competition Pablo Sarasate in 2001. Ms. Kawakubo delighted the audience with her rendition of George Gershwin and Tchaikovski classics.

            Earlier at the reception, Craig D. Uchida was busy networking as the new chairman of the board of the National Japanese American Memorial Foundation. He said the evening was a big prelude “to next year’s 20th anniversary of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988.” The law resulted in a U.S. apology to WWII Japanese internees, as well as granting financial redress.

            Mori was the evening’s chairman, with Debee Yamamoto as co-chairwoman. The event’s honorary chairman was Norman Y. Mineta, former U.S. secretary of transportation under President George W. Bush, and former U.S. secretary of commerce under President Bill Clinton, as well as former U.S. congressman.

Other members of the honorary committee are the following members of the House of Representatives:  Chris Cannon, Jim Costa, Eni Faleomavaega, Mazie Hirono, Mike Honda, Jerry Lewis, Jim Matheson, Doris Matsui, and Fortney Pete Stark.

Also on the honorary committee are Wade Henderson, president and CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights (LCCR); Daphne Kwok, executive director of the Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation (AIISF), and Hilary Shelton, Washington Bureau director of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).