UPDATED:  November 29, 2008 11:26 PM
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Community Mourns Marumoto’s Passing

WASHINGTON–William “Mo” Marumoto, President and CEO of the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS), passed away on Nov. 25 following a massive heart attack.

“Today our community and our country have truly lost a great American, father, husband, and dear friend,” said APAICS Chair David L. Kim. “Mo’s contributions to the Asian American communities across the country span several decades… He enriched the lives of so many people he touched. I am certainly one of them.”

Former Transportation Secretary and APAICS Vice Chair Norman Y. Mineta recalled: “I’ve known Mo for over 35 years and he and Jean have been great friends over those years. Whether it was at HEW, Presidential Personnel Office in the White House or in the private sector, Mo always remembered from whence he came and set high standards for himself and everybody around him.”

He added: “Since he flunked ‘retirement,’ Mo dedicated himself to doing what he knew best – developing young Asian American Pacific Islander talent into being leaders for tomorrow. His unselfish, visionary, and creative approach to fundraising and management enhanced APAICS’ capability for program content and expansion of the program to develop leaders. We are all going to sorely miss his humor, his style, and love of life.”

Floyd Mori, National Director of the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) and Chair of the National Coalition of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA), stated: “Mo was a very generous person who gave much to the Asian American community as well as to the country. He was a remarkable leader in many capacities and for many years. It had been a great privilege to become friends with him. We appreciate the sacrifices which he and his family have made to benefit the lives of others.”

“Our deepest sympathies go out to his wife and family at this time of great loss,” he added. “We will miss him greatly.”

 

Lifetime of service

Marumoto accepted the position of APAICS president and CEO in September 2006, upon his retirement as Founder, Chairman and CEO of The Interface Group, Ltd.

His career spanned over five decades of giving back to his country, his community and his friends. He joined the White House staff as Special Assistant to President Richard M. Nixon and served more than three years recruiting individuals for Cabinet and sub-Cabinet positions. Before that, he was Assistant to the Secretary at the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare (HEW).

Marumoto received over 25 national awards for his work in higher education, fundraising, direct mail, events management, and publications. In June, President George W. Bush awarded him the Lifetime President’s Volunteer Service Award. Marumoto is listed in Who’s Who in America and Who’s Who in Finance. Asian Magazine named him as one of the nation’s 500 most influential Asian Americans in 1996.

A native of Southern California, Marumoto was the son of Japanese immigrants. He and his family spent three years in a relocation camp in Gila Rivers, Arizona during World War II.  

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