National JACL Celebrates 40th Convention
August 19, 2008
SALT LAKE CITY - The Japanese American Citizens League held its 40th Biennial National Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah, on July 16 through 20.
Delegates from most of the organization’s 113 chapters were in attendance.
Silvana Watanabe and Reid Tateoka co-chaired the convention, and volunteers from the three Utah JACL Chapters, as well as the national JACL staff, were involved in the planning.
Former Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta and his wife Deni attended the convention. Mineta proved instrumental in bringing about the passage of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, which the JACL celebrates this year on the 20th anniversary of Redress.
Astronaut Dan Tani was the keynote speaker at the Sayonara Banquet. He told of his parents’ experience as internees at a camp in Topaz, Utah. He also shared pictures and stories of his experiences during his four months in space. Elections were held for National JACL Board offices: Larry Oda was reelected as national president, and Sheldon Arakaki, David Kawamoto, Ron Katsuyama, Kimberly Shintaku, and Brandon Mita were all elected to leadership positions in the group. Josh Spry was appointed as the new secretary/treasurer, and Judge Howard Maetani installed the new board.The next biennial convention will take place in Chicago in 2010. By a narrow vote, the Council also decided to start annual National JACL Conventions in 2011.
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