Written Comments for Senate Concurrent Resolution 1
Urging the United States Postal Service to issue a postal stamp honoring the World War II Japanese-American Nisei soldiers.
January 18, 2008
I rise in support.
A United States postal stamp honoring the World War II Japanese-American Nisei soldiers would be a great tribute to the sacrifice they went through for the sake of future generations. They faced racism in their own country, but despite this, they valiantly fought to protect it.
My uncle Roy Okubo was a member of the 522nd Artillery, which was attached to the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. He is the younger brother of my grandma Bessie S. Karamatsu. I am very proud of his service that helped to better our country and world.
I am a friend of Senator Nadao Yoshinaga who is a member of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. After his service in World War II, he became a lawyer and elected official, and helped change the discriminatory laws in Hawaii. He routinely visits me and we talk about politics, a passion we both share. It is a dream come true for me to have a mentor who was a politician from the 1954 Hawaii Democratic Revolution and a veteran of World War II. We met in 2002 and have been friends ever since.
Finally, I have friends in the 100th Infantry Battalion such as Robert Arakaki, its current president. I got to know a number of them by volunteering at their events and hanging out with them during lunchtime at Club 100. When I am with them, I am always inspired to shoot for my dreams and do the best I can do.
I am so honored to have these heroes in my life. I am who I am because of them. We must do all we can to continue their legacy so that their sacrifice is remembered eternally. Having a United States postage stamp honoring them would be a wonderful tribute.
Thank you.