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Wendy Roll, 2003 president of JACL-St. Louis Chapter
and John Tateishi, JACL National Executive Director
By Olivia O. Ly-Pieknik
"Coalition building" was the theme of the 57th Annual Inaugural Dinner of the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) St. Louis Chapter. Approximately 60 guests attended the event held at the Frontenac Hilton on February 22nd.
Serving as Master of Ceremonies, Mr. Tim Stamper, began the program with an explanation how he, as a Caucasian, became an active member of JACL. "It was good food and good friends", he said. Stamper works with Mr. Steve Mitori, a JACL Board member. Dr. Kendall Itoku, JACL past-president, led the invocation. Dr. Itoku spoke of Dr. John Hara and Mrs. Nikki Hara, a long time JACL members and founders of the Coalition of Asian-Pacific Americans (CAPA). "John has always been the person who led the invocations and I hope I am doing as good a job as John did", said Itoku. The Haras recently moved to Arizona to be near their children and grandchildren.
From Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA)-Matthew & Cheng Yu, Olivia Pieknik and Thomas Wong
The event was well-attended not only by JACL members but also from other Asian American organizations such as Coalition of Asian Pacific Americans (CAPA), Korean American Society, and Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA). Also in attendance were Mrs. Yumiko Fujiwara, Senior Consul of Japan, Mr. John Tateishi, JACL National Executive Director and Mr. Dick Henmi, coordinator of NIMA Exhibit, a travel project about the experience of Japanese Americans in internment camps during World War II.
Wendy Roll and Kathleen Nigro, Kirkwood Public Library
and Coordinator of ReadMOre program
The keynote speaker was Ms. Kathleen Nigro, Scholar-in-Residence of Kirkwood Public Library and coordinator of ReadMOre Book Program. Ms. Nigro shared with the audience about the process of selecting "Farewell to Manzanar" as the first book in the ReadMOre program. The book was written by Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston and her husband, James D. Houston, published in 1973, about Wakatsuki's personal experience in the internment camps in Manzanaar. Wakatsuki visited St. Louis, Lebanon, Jefferson City and other venues as part of the program. In St. Louis, Wakatsuki spoke during a reception at the Old Courthouse in downtown St. Louis with Mayor Francis Slay, City of St. Louis, in attendance.
Laura Paige Received an award for her efforts
in JACL education program
Ms. Roll continued the program by presenting a recognition plaque to Ms.
Laura Paige for her service to JACL educational program. Ms. Paige was recognized for her work with teachers in public schools and providing resources and teaching guide about Japanese American experience.
Ms. Wendy Roll, began her 4th term as president of JACL. A software engineer with Boeing, Roll has been JACL member for over 15 years and serving on the board over 6 years. In her acceptance speech, Roll shared with the members and guests the goals of the organizations. The first goal is to promote the Japanese Culture which JACL members do annually by supporting the Japanese Festival at the Missouri Botanical Gardens. The event is well-known around the country and draw a large attendance every year during the Labor Day weekend. The second goal is to promote awareness and education on civil rights issues. JACL has a speakers bureau and members are available to speak about their personal experience in internment camps during World War II and on Japanese American experience. Building relationships with other Asian American organizations is vital to the future of JACL. "We hope to actively participate with other organizations because our concerns are shared by other minorities organizations in the community", said Roll.
The 2003 Board of Directors were presented and sworn in by Mr. Tateishi. Serving on the 2003 Board of Directors are Wendy Roll as president; Edie Quick as vice-president programs; Robert Mitori as vice-president finance; Steve Mitori as vice-president membership and MDC 2nd vice-governor; Mike Kimzey as secretary; Tim Stamper as Scholarship Committee; Laura Paige as Education Committee; and Kendall Itoku as Board Member.
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