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Go For Broke National Education Center Honors Congressman Abercrombie
U.S. Representative from Hawaii gets special award at Evening of Aloha reception
Go For Broke National Education Center (GFBNEC) offered a special tribute to Nisei or second-generation Japanese American veterans of the 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, Military Intelligence Service (MIS) and all other units that served during World War II, in addition to honoring all United States soldiers of all wars, at its annual Evening of Aloha gala dinner on Nov. 14, 2009.
Photo credit: Shane Sato, Little Tokyo
TORRANCE, CA (Nov. 15, 2009) – Go For Broke National Education Center (GFBNEC) honored Congressman Neil Abercrombie (D-Honolulu) with its prestigious Go For Broke Award at a reception held during the annual Evening of Aloha gala dinner event on Nov. 14, 2009. Through a thoughtful selection process, the nonprofit organization singled out the Congressman for his extraordinary contributions to its ongoing mission to teach the Nisei or second-generation Japanese American soldiers' values using real-life examples of their bravery and sacrifice as teaching tools.
"Congressman Abercrombie has made a difference in the work and successes of our organization," said Christine Sato-Yamazaki, president and chief executive officer of Go For Broke National Education Center. "We're fortunate that someone with his leadership ability and vision has chosen to dedicate himself to public service as a member of the United States House of Representatives. On behalf of Go For Broke National Education Center, we're deeply appreciative of Congressman Abercrombie's encouragement and support."
GFBNEC teaches the American story of the Nisei veterans' bravery, honor, leadership, loyalty, patriotism, sacrifice and values through education and preservation programs offered nationwide. The organization's work includes the Hanashi Oral History archives, American Story Teacher Training Program, a Resource Center, interactive educational initiatives and the Go For Broke Monument located in the Little Tokyo district of downtown Los Angeles. Congressman Abercrombie is among those in Congress who undertook leadership roles in awarding $4 million to GFBNEC for a state-of-the-art National Education Center to be built beside the Go For Broke Monument.
"Never has the gallantry and sacrifice of one group of American patriots offered a more eloquent rebuttal to the bigotry and suspicion of their own countrymen than the Nisei soldiers who served in the United States Army's 100th Infantry, 442nd Regimental Combat Team and Military Intelligence Service during World War II. Their amazing record left the words ‘Go For Broke' boldly and indelibly embroidered on our nation's colors," said Representative Abercrombie. "The Japanese-American Community that produced these brave soldiers has been an essential part of Hawaii's ohana for nearly 150 years. It has been my profound privilege to represent them in the Congress."
Other members of Congress GFBNEC has recognized this year for leadership and hard work in securing funding for the new National Education Center are United States Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawaii), Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-Downtown Los Angeles), Congressman Adam Schiff (D-San Gabriel Valley) and Congressman Mike Honda (D-Santa Clara County).
The Evening of Aloha highlight was a special tribute to Nisei soldiers. Grammy-award winning Hawaiians Daniel Ho and Tia Carrere performed a few of their musical hits and introduced new songs. And guests dined on foods prepared under the direction of celebrity chefs Roy Yamaguchi of Roy's Restaurants worldwide and Charles Phan of San Francisco's Slanted Door, followed by desserts from King's Hawaiian Bakery and Restaurant located in Torrance, CA.
During World War II, Japanese American soldiers rose above suspicion and mistrust to fight and sacrifice themselves for honor in defense of the United States. Their story is an important part of American history and social studies that holds meaning today for countless Americans of all ethnicities. Go For Broke National Education Center Hanashi Oral Histories and information about the organization's programs are all available at www.goforbroke.org.
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