Keith Kamisugi

The Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) will hold its second gala event on Thursday, September 25, at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, 1000 H Street NW, Washington, D.C. The Honorable Senator Daniel Inouye from Hawai’i is the honorary chairman.

The focus of the event will be on the Redress Movement. Several champions of the Redress movement will be honored as this year is the 20th Anniversary of the passing of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988.

JACL held its first Washington, D.C. National JACL Gala Dinner last year. The Honorable Norman Y. Mineta was the honorary chair for the dinner with several members of Congress on the honorary committee.

George Takei served as Master of Ceremonies, and Tamaki Kawabuko provided musical entertainment. The Salute to Champions event honored: Senator Daniel Inouye, Ambassador Ryozo Kato, Senator Larry Craig, and Karen Narasaki as well as State Farm Insurance as a corporate champion.

The Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) is the oldest and largest Asian American civil rights organization. The JACL will hold its National Convention on July 16-19, 2008, in Salt Lake City, Utah, and the National JACL Gala Event in Washington, D.C. will be held on September 25, 2008.