Florin JACL Holds Its 88 th Anniversary Luncheon and Awards Ceremony
By Ras H. Siddiqui

The Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) is a well-known national civil rights organization with chapters in various areas of the United States. The Florin JACL chapter centered just south of Sacramento is one of the most politically active groups in the California capital area. It takes civil rights very seriously and speaks out when there is even a hint of injustice taking place anywhere. Whenever an event affects any group in our greater Sacramento community, Florin JACL is there.

The chapter held its 88 th Anniversary at the Valley Hi Country Club on Saturday December 2, 2023, one which was well-attended and wonderfully executed. The theme for this year’s gathering was “Strength Through Unity” and the event reflected both.

Japanese Americans remain a proud and patriotic group in this country, but they are no strangers to suffering. During World War II, after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor President Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) as commander-in-chief issued Executive Order 9066 that resulted in the mass internment of around 100,000 people of Japanese descent in America. This most controversial order basically sidelined our constitution and targeted a group because of its ethnicity. A patriotic and law-abiding community lost homes and property and suffered forced displacement. Some survivors from that era were present at this event including those who were born in what has rightly been called concentration camps. Since its inception in the year 1935, the membership of the Florin JACL has indeed seen and experienced a great deal.

The event itself was a formal yet cheerful affair thanks in part to emcee Josh Kaizuka’s great sense of humor. Josh is the Co-President of the Florin Chapter of the JACL. In his opening remarks he welcomed everyone and said that this was an opportunity to bring the community together. Josh also highlighted the fact that Sac State (CSU Sacramento) was once again well represented here and asked every Florin JACL Committee Member to stand up and be recognized. He also brought up the Florin Chapter’s continued stand on human and civil rights in spite of it not being popular amongst some people in the community. Kaizuka also introduced several sponsors and their representatives present.

As mentioned earlier Japanese Americans are a very patriotic group as a Flag Salute and the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance started the formalities here. This was led by Rick Uno. An official welcome on behalf of the Board to everyone by Titus Toyama, Board Member and Chapter Treasurer followed. Titus elaborated on the event’s “Strength Through Unity” theme and how it emphasizes that we as a group are not alone, and that relationships with other organizations are very important. He also briefly mentioned the awardees at the event and shared a bit of the Florin JACL history and all that chapter has done and is doing for civil rights.

Josh returned and shared housekeeping information and some details of the Silent Auction, items donated by some individuals present and shared the time that it would end. We sure hope that someone bid on those large panels for Josh’s sake! Lunch followed and all the sponsors were thanked. To name just a few, Platinum Sponsors here included the Ayad Al- Qazzaz Endowment and CSUS Hornet Family and Friends, Delegata, Law Offices of Mark E. Merin, Law Offices of Joshua Kaizuka, Sharif Jewelers and Titus and Donna Toyama. The Gold Sponsor was SMUD, and Silver Sponsors included CAIR-SV/CC, Nancy & Aleck Darr, Walter & Kathleen Menda, Andy & Twila Noguchi, Heidi Sakazaki and Marielle Tsukamoto. And ending the list were Bronze Sponsors Asian Resources, Inc., and the Nichi Bei Foundation.

The Awards Presentations followed. The first awardee was Sac State President Emeritus Robert S. Nelsen who received the Florin JACL’s Kansha-sho (Gratitude) Award. Since the former CSUS President could not make it to the event accepting it on his and his wife Jody’s behalf was Mark Wheeler the Interim Chief of Staff of the University. This award was presented by Marielle Tsukamoto who provided a great deal of background as to why President Nelsen deserved this honor. Nelsen himself addressed the gathering via video.

Tom Nakashima was given the Florin JACL-SV Leadership Award which was presented to him by Christine Umeda. Tom is not only a local Radio Personality but has attained a celebrity following in Sacramento (The Eagle 96.9). And he has never forgotten his roots in the local Japanese American community. As an author he co-wrote “We The People” with Mary Tsukamoto and is considered a real trailblazer in field of local Asian American media of many forms. A very deserving award recipient.

Next the Florin JACL Community Leadership Award was presented to Professor Ayad Al-Qazzaz by Josh Kaizuka. The Professor with his 55-year teaching career (and counting) at California State University, Sacramento is a highly regarded figure in the regional community. He has had a leadership or advisory role in the Asian, Middle Eastern, Arab-American, and Muslim community in the Sacramento area for decades and his popularity amongst his former students is very real. Case in point was event emcee and old student Josh Kaizuka. The chemistry and humor that they shared here at this event was wonderful to see. But within the humor remained a great deal of shared wisdom. The local philanthropic contributions alone of octogenarian Professor Al-Qazzaz continue to win him awards including this one by the Florin JACL. It made him very happy. I will cherish this as long as I live, he said. 

Ending the segment, the Community Service award went to the Buddhist Church of Florin. It was presented to their representative Eric Fujii by Andy Noguchi and Twila Tomita. Founded by Japanese Americans in the year 1919 the church is still going strong today,104 years later. It is also well known in the outside community for its Obon Festival. “Our mission continues to be to share the wisdom and compassion of the Buddhist teachings and practice with the greater community” reproduced quoted from their website here. The Buddhist Church of Florin has played a pivotal role in the regrouping and revitalizing of the Sacramento area Japanese American community after they returned home after their unjust confinement in World War II.

To conclude, some regrets are shared for not being able to stay till the end of this event. But this was an invitation which could not be ignored, especially these days when there is war and injustice rampant in our world. This brings us back to how well Professor Al-Qazzaz explained his admiration for the Florin JACL here. You are totally (and not partially) humanitarian, he said. After 9/11/2001 it was this community which stood with patriotic American Muslims who were at the receiving end of many abuses. And today when Palestinians are being bombed in Gaza members of the Florin JACL stand with them here in Sacramento demanding a ceasefire. And they have been doing this while not forgetting Israeli lives lost in the conflict. They are totally humanitarian, and this article is a very small way of expressing our thanks to them.