Two high school seniors–both from L.A., and two undergraduate college students, one from Massachusetts and the other from Hawaii–are recipients of $l,000 memorial scholarships at a May 17 quarterly luncheon in Virginia by the Japanese American Veterans Association. The scholarship in the memory of Major Orville C. Shirey, was awarded to Californian Daniel E. Minamide, who will attend Harvard University in the Fall. Major Shirey was the S-2 (intelligence) officer with the 442nd Regimental Combat Team (RCT) from its formation until the end of World War II. He is well known for his book, Americans: The Story of the 442nd Combat Team,” considered the unit’s main historical reference to this day. Photo shows scholarship benefactors and JAVA officials: Col. Sunao Phil Ishio (seated); 2nd row: Calvin Ninomiya, Chair, Scholarship Committee; Vi Takahashi; Connie Ishio; Maud Shirey, Marie Tashiro; 3rd row: Bob Nakamoto. Photo: Mike Yaguchi

The U.S. Small Business Administration's Washington Metropolitan Area District Office and Business Development Assistance Group, Inc. awarded outstanding entrepreneurs and small business executives at its Annual Awards Breakfast on June 20 at the Ronald Reagan Building. The event’s theme was “Small Business: Gateway to the American Dream.” Toa Do, President of Business Development Assistance Group, Inc. gave the opening remarks. Photo by Jay Chen/Asian Fortune

The International Leadership Foundation (ILF) kicked off the Summer Internship Program on June 8 at the headquarters in Potomac, Maryland. This year, there are 25 students selected across the nation. The program will give the students opportunity to work with federal government agencies in the D.C. area for eight weeks.

The Japanese American Veterans Association gave Japanese Ambassador Ryozo Kato its highest award last May. The envoy received the Courage, Honor, Patriotism Award at the “Old Residence” of the Japanese Embassy in Washington, D.C. JAVA President Robert Nakamoto honored the diplomat and Mrs. Kato’s roles for building a strong Japan-U.S. alliance, and supporting cultural programs for Japanese Americans, among other things. Some 30 JAVA members attended the award ceremony.

The Asian Law Enforcement Society (ALES) of the Metropolitan Washington Region, with the Fairfax County Police Department, held the first career expo and community outreach last month. Some of the participants are shown above. Lucy H. Caldwell of the office of public information said the event was “an important effort and a great start.”

A hearing was held on June 12 at Rayburn House Office Building of Capitol Hill for the bill introduced by Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D,CA) which will allow Masters and Ph.D. level graduates from U.S. universities in science, technology, engineering, and math to obtain green cards without waiting in long lines. Dr. Yongjie Yang (second right) of Johns Hopkins University testified during the hearing.

The Japanese American Veterans Association (JAVA) joined major events in Washington, D.C. during Memorial Day weekend. On May 25, JAVA and the Japanese American Citizen’s League (JACL) held a joint program at the Arlington National Cemetery Pavilion, decorated 60 gravesites, and laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. On May 26, JAVA members marched in the National Memorial Day Parade down Constitution Avenue, drawing cheers and applause. From left: Kiyonaga children: Clayton (8), Paul (5), Catherine (6), and Annie (10). Clayton and Catherine are children of John Kiyonaga, son of Joe Kiyonaga, 442nd RCT. Paul and Annie are children of John's brother, Paul. Photo by Hiroshi Shima, Hilo, Hawaii.

Staff from a local band performed at the reception commemorating the 110th Anniversary of Philipine Independence on June 12 at the residence of Philippine Ambassador Willy C. Gaa. Photo by Jay Chen/Asian Fortune

Award-winning Chinese pianist Xiayin Wang recently performed at the Meyer Auditorium, Freer Gallery of Art at the Sminthsonian. The program featured the Washington, DC-area premier of a work by Marc Chan, which received rave reviews of its world premier at Carnegie Hall in March. Other pieces included works by Ravel, Chopin, Scriabin and Sung J. Hong. Dr. Franklin Odo, Director of the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Program, is shown with Xiayin Wang, Composers Marc Chan and Sung J. Hong, and Victoria Racimo and Tanna Young from the Palomino Entertainment Group, a full service arts and entertainment production company which organized the show. Photo by Jay Chen/Asian Fortune

Members of “Liu San Jie” Opera Troupe from China’s Guangxi Zhuang Nationality Autonomous Region recently graced the DC audience with the time-honored opera, “Liu San Jie.” According to the organizers, part of the proceeds went to supporting the earthquake affected area in China. Photo by Jay Chen/Asian fortune

June Bride Michelle Owens with husband Paul Martin of Indiana and their families are all smiles after the June 14 wedding held in Mt. Vernon, Alexandria.

The Madison Chinese Dance Academy recently presented Splendid China 2008 dance concert at the Performing Arts Center. The performances featured Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Love Song of KangDing, Rainbow, Dream of DunHung, Sunny Day, and Welcoming Spring.

Supporters for Beijing Olympics rally in front of the White House on May 31, displaying a banner of signatures 100 meters long. Participants dressed in five different colors to form the Olympics symbol. Organizers said participants came as far as Australia and Canada. Participants also expressed condolence for the victims of the earthquake in Sichuan Province, China. Photo courtesy of Victor Li.

Filmmaker Ham Tran, UC-Irvine professor Linda Vo, and Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Bich discuss Tran's short film, "The Anniversary" at the S. Dillon Ripley Center on Thursday, June 26. After the film finished, a panel discussion and Q&A addressed issues of Vietnamese American filmmaking, perceptions of the Vietnam war, and outreach in the community. Photo by Amanda Andrei.

Filipino American WWII veterans pose with the delegations of representatives from the Philippines at a reception in the Cannon Building on Wednesday, June 25. As of then, they are waiting on the House to pass a bill that would grant them full equity rights. Photo by Amanda Andrei.