The conflict of self interest versus national interest has been with us from the foundation of this great nation.  While the values embodied in the market system of life that have governed our economy have been the catalyst for economic and material progress, we as a nation have had the wisdom to harness self interest when its goals have lead us to devalue our natural monuments and national parks.  We face the endangerment of the Minidoka National Historic Site of the National Park System because the forces of economic development feel a need to construct

The California State University (CSU) Board of Trustees voted unanimously to grant honorary bachelor's degrees to Japanese Americans who were enrolled at CSU campuses and forced to internment camps during World War II.  CSU is asking for public assistance in identifying individuals who would qualify for the honorary deree or groups or individuals who can assist in identifying qualified individuals.  Former CSU students (or families of students) whose studies were interrupted due to the internment are urged to call (562) 951-4723 or send an email to nisei@calstate.edu.

TAKE ACTION TO OPPOSE UNFAIR AMENDMENT

This message is from our friends from the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum.

The House Energy & Commerce Committee will be completing its mark-up of H.R. 3200, the America's Affordable Health Choices Act, today (Wednesday).  Congressman Deal (R-GA) has filed an amendment which would: require legal immigrants to wait five years from their date of entry to the United States before they could receive subsidies in the health insurance exchange; and further require that all applicants for subsidies in the Exchange document their citizenship using Medicaid citizenship documentation.

UPDATE FROM SHIRLEY TANG, DANIEL K. INOUYE FELLOW:

     JACL National is supportive of the health care reform efforts being put fourth. The President and his administration have urged Congress for a robust public plan option. We strongly support a public plan option and are working with other groups to ensure that this option will be included in the final version of the health bill that will reach the President's desk. Other issues the President has raised and that we are supportive of include:

     At the national level, JACL has recently partnered with the US Census Bureau in order to promote full participation in the upcoming 2010 Census.  As a Census partner, the JACL will publicize the 2010 Census to its members in an effort to ensure all Americans are counted.

The third annual Gala Awards Dinner of the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) was held at the J.W.Marriott Hotel in Washington, D.C.  The JACL paid special tribute to Japanese American veterans who served in the armed forces during World War II and the Korean War. 

WASHINGTON (Sept. 17, 2009) - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is warning Veterans not to give credit card numbers over the phone to callers claiming to update VA prescription information.  "America's Veterans have become targets in an inexcusable scam that dishonors their service and misrepresents the Department built for them," said Dr. Gerald Cross, VA's Under Secretary for Health. "VA simply does not call Veterans and ask them to disclose personal financial information over the phone."

For a copy of the Press Release click here

     After viewing a trailer for the movie “The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard” produced by Paramount Vantage and starring Jeremy Piven, the Japanese American Citizens League is outraged by a scene where the Piven character uses a racial slur to launch a physical attack on an Asian character and, as if to justify this obscenity, the character admits that they’ve just participated in a hate crime.

     Nominations are now being taken for the Kay Okamoto Volunteer Award and the Takeo Okamoto Community Leadership Award.   Kay and Takeo Okamoto are the parents of the San Mateo's JACL President, Steve Okamoto.  Both awards are presented in memory of Kay and Takeo Okamoto, who devoted themselves to making our community stronger.