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Japanese American Citizens League Mile High Chapter JUNE 2013

A Message from the President

I hope all of you had a chance to visit our booth at Cherry Blossom Festival. The booth was a smashing success! Lots of people purchased charms from us and tied it to the wishing tree. We had to keep adding branches to the tree in order to make room for more charms! I want to personally thank Ngoc Dinh and Gary Yamashita for spearheading this project. Their vision and leadership was instrumental in our success. I also want to thank all of the volunteers that helped raise money for our youth scholarship. We could not have done this without you!

Mile High JACL is actively involved with the current debate regarding immigration reform bill. We have met with representatives from Senator Bennet and Senator Udall’s office to talk about our concerns regarding the bill. In a few weeks, we will meet with Congressman Mike Coffman directly to talk about the bill as well. We are working together with Asian Pacific Development Center (APDC), OCA Colorado, and National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association (NAAPIMHA). If you would like to join our coalition, then please contact me at [email protected]. We can use your support!

Lastly, don’t forget about our upcoming National JACL convention from July 24th until July 26th. The convention will take place in Washington, D.C., and will celebrate the 25 year anniversary of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988 (The Redress Bill). The theme for this year is “Justice For All.”

We love to hear your suggestions and feedbacks. Please come to our next board meeting on Tuesday, July 11, 2013, at 6:30 pm. We meet at the Japanese American Association of Colorado’s Office, located on the second floor of Sakura Square (19th and Lawrence, Denver, CO). If you have any questions or feedbacks, please do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected]

Mile High JACL Chapter President

JUNE 2013

Sakura MatsuriJune 22nd & 23rd

Denver Cherry Blossom Festival

THIS MONTH’S ISSUE

1 A Message from the President

2 Upcoming Events

2 2013 Colorado Dragon Boat Festival

2 Nihongo-o Naraimashyou

3 2013 Nisei Veterans Heritage Foundation Community Memorial Day Service

4 Congratulations High School Graduates!

5 A Community Picnic

6 Wishing Tree

7 Senate Democrats Meet With AAPI Leaders

7 National AAPI Day of Action

8 Action Alert

8 Thank You’s

9 Membership Application

10 Advertisements & Job Postings


UPCOMING

EVENTSMile High JACLBoard MeetingJuly 11th6:30pmSakura Square, 2nd Fl.

A Community PicnicJune 29th11:00 - 3:00pm(See page 5)

2013 Colorado Dragon Boat FestivalJuly 27th & 28thSloan’s Lake

For more upcoming events please visit our website:milehighjacl.org/events/

Do you have an event or project that you would like to share

with our community? Please help us keep

our community informed by submitting events,

notices, recognitions and articles to include in future

newsletters. Information can be submitted to

[email protected]

2013 Colorado Dragon Boat Festival!By Ngoc Dinh

The Colorado Dragon Boat Festival, CDBF, celebrates and promotes the culture, contributions and accomplishments of Colorado’s Asian Pacific American communities. This years’ festival will be held Saturday, July 27th & Sunday, July 28th at Sloan’s Lake.

Volunteers are the heart of the festival and it’s the dedication from these volunteers that helps the festival succeed and thrive year after year. 400 volunteers are needed for the 2013 festival. If you are interested in voluntering, please visit www.cdbf.org/getinvolved/volunteer.

CDBF is adding a special volunteers dragon boat paddling opportunity this year! If you sign up as a volunteer and are interested in getting some hands-on paddling experience, check the “Yes! I’m interested!” box at the end of the volunteer application. Seating is limited, so sign up today!

For more informaiton, please visit the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival at www.cdbf.org.

N i h ongo-o Na ra ima s hyo u!Let’s Learn Japanese!

Te (Te) Ashi (A-shi) Translation: Hand Translation: Feet

Yubi (Yu-bi) Kubi (Ku-bi) Translation: Finger Translation: Neck

Ude (U-de) Atama (A-ta-ma) Translation: Arm Translation: Head

Photo from www.cdbf.org


2013 Nisei Veterans Heritage FoundationCommunity Memorial Day Service By Gary Yamashita

The 67th annual Nisei Veterans Heritage Foundation (NVHF) Community Memorial Day Service program was held at Fairmount Cemetery in Denver. The program serves to honor the memory of all Japanese American Veterans from the Rocky Mountain Region who honorably served in the United State Armed Forces and are now at rest. The Nisei Veterans Heritage Foundation is also committed to educating the community and to ensure that future generations preserve the cultural legacy of Japanese Americans in Colorado.

In 2011, the Nisei Veterans Heritage Foundation entrusted the Tri-State/Denver Buddhist Temple and Simpson United Methodist Church to organize and assume responsibility for the annual Memorial Day program. With the help of other Japanese American community organizations, this tradition has carried on and grown over the years.

This year’s keynote speaker was Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, Mr. George “Joe” Sakato who spoke of his experiences during the war and paid tribute to the brave soldiers he fought with. A special recognition was made to Mr. Richard Shea who died this past year for his many contributions of time and effort in founding the War Memorial and keeping the program alive. In addition, seven new names of deceased veterans were engraved on the Memorial Wall this year. A floral tribute was made by representatives from many Asian community organizations.

The Japanese American Resource Center of Colorado (JARCC) co-hosted with the NVHF, a community potluck at the Tri-State /Denver Buddhist Temple immediately following the Memorial Day service. There was plenty of great food and lots of good company. A good time was had by all who attended.

Special thanks to Mr. Calvin Hada who served as the Master of Ceremonies, the Tri-State/Denver Buddhist Temple, Simpson United Methodist Church, Boy Scout Troop 630, the Japanese American Association of Colorado, Japanese American Resource Center of Colorado, Fairmount Cemetery and all of the volunteers from the community for making the program a great success.

Photo taken by Mr. Gil Asakawa.Photo of Mile High JACL President, Mr. Harry Budhisidharta making a floral tribute.


Congratulations High School Graduates! By Mike Shibata

The 58th Annual Japanese American Community Graduation Program (JACGP) Banquet to honor the high school graduates of 2013 was held on Saturday, June 8, 2013 at the Arvada Center for the Arts & Humanities with approximately 210 people, including 16 graduates, in attendance.

The guest speaker for the evening was Mr. Kenzo Kawanabe, trial attorney and partner at Davis Graham & Stubbs, LLP. He was a Boettcher Scholar at the University of Colorado at Boulder and attended Georgetown University Law Center and Temple University Japan in Tokyo.

Among the 30 scholarships and awards presented were the Tom Masamori Memorial Scholarship Award and the Minoru and True Yasui Memorial Award, in honor of former members and leaders of Mile High JACL. Other scholarships included the Toshiaki Yoshimura - Mile High Chapter JACL Scholarship, Mile High Chapter JACL Scholarship, and Mile High JACL - Harry Sakata Memorial Plaque.

Mrs. Jayne Yoshimura presented the Toshiaki Yoshimura - Mile High Chapter Japanese American Citizens League Scholarship to Thomas Miyamoto FitzSimons. He graduated from D’Evelyn High School and is the son of Owen and Carol FitzSimons. Thomas lettered in football and track and field. He was a University of Northern Colorado math competition finalist. He has participated in the Simpson United Methodist Church Hinamatsuri, Asian Food Bazaar, Keiro No Hi, and a four day mission trip to Granada and Amache Relocation Center. For the past two years, Thomas has helped at the Japanese American Communtiy Memorial Day Service at Fairmount Cemetery. Thomas also received the Simpson United Methodist Church All-Church Award at the JACGP banquet.

Mr. Harry Budisidharta presented the Mile High Chapter Japanese American Citizens League Scholarship to Megan Iritani. She attended Cherry Creek High School. Her parents are Mark Iritani and Patra Watana. Megan was active in student government and was Student Body President. She competed in speech and debate. She assisted the bingo games at Caley Ridge Assisted Living Center, was a teacher at Hope United Methodist Church Vacation Bible School, volunteer at First American State Bank 5K Fitness Festival, and assisted in the fundraising of Make a Wish Foundation. Megan is a member of the Mile High JACL.

Mr. Brett Shibao, grandson of Harry Sakata, awarded the Mile High Japanese American Citizens League - Harry Sakata Memorial Plaque to Christopher Horiuchi. He is a graduate of Brighton High School and a son of Kirk Horiuchi. He was a National Honor Society member, received an academic letter in golf, and a member of the Jazz Band and Marching Band. Christopher was active in the Denver Young Buddhist Association and Denver Taiko. He also was the recipient of the Tomo Ida/Harry Ida Memorial Award, Denver Nisei Bowling Association Award, and the Tri-State/Denver Buddhist Temple Caroline M. Tagawa Memorial Scholarship Award at the JACGP banquet.

Mile High JACL congratulates all of the Class of 2013 high school graduates and their parents!


JACL’s Wishing Tree Booth at the 2013 Cherry Blossom Festival By Ngoc Dinh

First, I would like to thank everyone who attended the 2013 Cherry Blossom Festival. There would be no festival without festival guests! The Cherry Blossom Festival is such a fun and beautiful event! I have attended it every year I’ve lived in Colorado. I love the culture, the energy and, of course, the food! I love that the festival grows and thrives year after year!

Second, I would like to thank everyone who stopped by the Mile High Japanese American Citizen’s League booth! As you may know, this is the first year Mile High JACL has had a booth at the Cherry Blossom Festival with a Wishing Tree. The response was overwhelming! A numerous amount of guests visited our booth and made a wish, if not multiple wishes, on our Wishing Tree! I was, and still am, incredibly touched at how many people walked away with a serene and auspicious feeling after tying their wish onto the tree. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Third, and most importantly, a ginormous thank you to our amazing volunteers. Our booth would not have succeeded without the huge hearts of our wonderful volunteers: Gary Yamashita, volunteer and co-chair, Suzuho Shimasaki, Mary Ann Amemiya, Richard Hamai, Harry Budisidharta, Lauren & Debbie Yamashita, Lauren, Paige & Connor Mawhinney, Mike Shibata, Gil Asakawa, Erin Yoshimura, Karol Nakamura, Alley & Yoshimi Watada, Matthew & Megan Iritani, Andrew Yeh and Justin Valas. Very special thanks to Jeanne & Jim Matsuda, Gary Matsuda, Emiko Koga and Kimiko Side.

For more pictures from the event, please visit out website at milehighjacl.org/photo-album.

Photo taken by Ngoc Dinh.Photo of the Wishing Tree.

Photo taken by Ngoc Dinh.Photo of the Megan Iritani & Harry Budisidharta promoting.

Photo taken by Ngoc Dinh.Photo of Paige Mawhinney promoting with giant flower.

Photo taken by Ngoc Dinh.Photo of a costumed guest in front of the Wishing Tree.

Photo taken by Ngoc Dinh.Photo of the Justin Valas tying his wish to the Wishing Tree.


Senate Democrats Meet With AAPI Leaders The Senate Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee (DSOC) held a meeting with Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community leaders on Wednesday in the United States Capitol. Senator Mark Begich (AK), Chairman of the DSOC, hosted the event with Senator Brian Schatz (HI). The upcoming immigration legislation was a central focus of the discussion. Attendees also voiced concerns regarding support for minority-owned small businesses and steps to reduce institutional bullying. Senate Democrats renewed their commitment to building upon recent progress on civil liberties. JACL Executive Director Priscilla Ouchida discussed the controversial indefinite detention section in the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act. Section 1021 has been challenged as a violation of constitutional principles and the United States Bill of Rights. JACL has strongly opposed section 1021 of the NDAA bill of 2012, which allowed for the “indefinite detention of American citizens without due process at the discretion of the President.” “The Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) appreciates the chance to raise concerns regarding important issues facing members of the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander American community. The Japanese American community knows all too well the irreparable damages and consequences of indefinite detention,” said Ouchida.

JACL Attends National AAPI Day of Action for Immigration Reform On June 5th, 2013, the JACL attended a rally in support of comprehensive immigration reform organized by the National Korean American Service and Education Consortium (NAKASEC), the Korean American Resource and Cultural Center, the Korean Resource Center, the National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development (CAPACD), the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, and the Southeast Asian Resource Center (SEARAC).

Hundreds of people came together representing various communities that are affected by immigration reform. The rally featured speakers who shared their immigrant stories, deportation scares, and reasons for advocating for immigration reform.


Action Alert: Call Your Senator and Tell Them to Vote Noon Amendment 1225

The Senate Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee (DSOC) held a meeting with Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community leaders on Wednesday in the United States Capitol. Senator Mark Begich (AK), Chairman of the DSOC, hosted the event with Senator Brian Schatz (HI). The upcoming immigration legislation was a central focus of the discussion. Attendees also voiced concerns regarding support for minority-owned small businesses and steps to reduce institutional bullying. Senate Democrats renewed their commitment to building upon recent progress on civil liberties. JACL Executive Director Priscilla Ouchida discussed the controversial indefinite detention section in the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act. Section 1021 has been challenged as a violation of constitutional principles and the United States Bill of Rights. JACL has strongly opposed section 1021 of the NDAA bill of 2012, which allowed for the “indefinite detention of American citizens without due process at the discretion of the President.” “The Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) appreciates the chance to raise concerns regarding important issues facing members of the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander American community. The Japanese American community knows all too well the irreparable damages and consequences of indefinite detention,” said Ouchida.

The Mile High Japanese American Citizens League would like to thank the following individuals and organizations for their tremendous donations and generosity!

Jeanne & Jim Matsuda, Park Creek Wholesale NurseryGary Matsuda, The Denver Bonsai Club

Kimiko Side


JACL Mission Statement“What cannot be achieved in one lifetime will happen when one lifetime is joined to another.”

The Japanese American Citizens League is a national organization whose ongoing mission is to secure and maintain the civil rights of Japanese Americans and all others who are victimized by injustice and bigotry. The leaders and members of the JACL also work to promote cultural, educational and social values and preserve the heritage and legacy of the Japanese American community.

Become a Member of JACL Today! Joining the Mile High Chapter JACL is a great way to get involved with the community and to help support our programs that educate our youth, develop leaders and pass on our legacy from generation to generation.

Membership benefits include (subject to change):

Associate Memberships are available for two years to individuals who are new to the Mile High Chapter JACL and includes: •MileHighChapterJACLNewsletter •Discountstolocalchapterevents(whenapplicable)

All other memberships include the above in addition to: •PacificCitizen,TheJACLNewspaper •ScholarshipProgram •JACLCreditUnionServices •VISAAffinityCard •HertzRentalCarDiscounts •LongDistanceCallingDiscounts •MajorMedicalInsuranceProgram* •LongTermCareInsurance* •CatastrophicMajorMedicalInsurance* •MedicareSupplementInsurance*

*Membershipdoesnotguaranteeacceptance.Theinsurershavetheirownacceptancecriteria.

If you would like to join, please complete the information below:

Membership Application(12 months membership from the date of application)

q Associate ($25) q Individual ($65) q Couple/Family ($110) q Student/Youth ($30) - PC Excluded

q Thousand Club ($100) q Century Club ($175) q Millennium Club ($1000)

q Thousand Club Life ($3,000) q Century Club Life ($5,000)

q Spouse of Thousand or Century Club member ($37) q Spouse of Millennium Club Member ($30)

Name: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Spouse (if applying): _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Address: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ City: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ State: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Zip: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Email: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Telephone: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Please send applications to: Mile High JACL, P.O. Box 13061, Denver, CO 80201


Mile High JACL | P.O. Box 13061 | Denver, CO 80201 | [email protected] | www.MileHighJACL.org

Get Winning!BLACK HAWK

Would you like to place an ad in our newsletter? Individuals and organizations are invited to place advertisement in the Mile High JACL Newsletter to help us sustain this important publication that informs our community about various activities and issues. Advertisements may include marketing for your company, job postings and/or messages to friends and family. However, the Mile High JACL Board of Directors will use its discretion about printing advertisements that my go against the mission of the organization. The sponsorship categories are as follows for each issue of the newsletter (printing on 8.5” x 11”): $100 - Full page advertisement $50 - Half page advertisement $25 - Quarter page advertisement $10 - Business card size advertisement Discounts are available for bulk purchases: 5% off for three issues or 10% off for six issues. Members are also eligible for an additional 10% off. If you are interested in submitting an advertisement, please email your graphic and/or text [email protected] and mail payments to: Mile High JACL, P.O. Box 13061, Denver, CO 80201 Payment and advertisements both need to be received by the 15th of each month in order for your information to be included in that month’s issue. Thank you for your support of the Mile High JACL and its monthly newsletter!

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