GO FOR BROKE CHANGES ITS NAME, ANNOUNCES FUTURE GOALS
On May 11, 2006, the Go For Broke Educational Foundation (100th/442nd/MIS WWII Memorial Foundation) publicly announced it legally changed its name to the Go For Broke National Education Center. At a press conference held at the Go For Broke Monument that day, Executive Director and President Christine Sato-Yamazaki excitedly announced the reasons for the change: to focus on its future goal to create a public facility that will educate generations to come of the significance of the Japanese American World War II veteran story. "Though the name has changed, the original intent established by the veterans will continue and the commitment by this generation to ensure the veteran legacy is preserved and taught is clearer today," said Sato-Yamazaki.
Los Angeles City Councilmember Jan Perry announced the City of Los Angeles' commitment by providing Go For Broke with a 50 year ground lease. The lease provides Go For Broke with 37,405 square feet of land fronted on Temple Street and adjacent to the Go For Broke Monument, which will be the future site of its national headquarters and public education center. This parcel is valued at $3.7 million.
Terms of the lease give Go For Broke three years, or by 2009, to fundraise the necessary funds to build the center. The organization plans to raise the $15 million needed to build the center before that time in hopes that many of the Japanese American WWII veterans will see their dream realized. Go For Broke anticipates breaking ground and opening the center to the public in 2010.
Bill Seki, chairman of Go For Broke, announced the receipt of a $1 million grant from the California Cultural and Historical Endowment (CCHE) to cover preliminary construction costs. Go For Broke is one of 30 other recipients to date, who have received funding through CCHE.
"In 1989 the veterans had a dream to build a monument, that dream was realized in 1999 when the Go For Broke Monument was unveiled to the public," said Christine Sato-Yamazaki, executive director and president, Go For Broke National Education Center. "Today they have another dream, to have a center adjacent to their Monument that will ensure their American story lives on and can contribute to the great American ideals of freedom and equal opportunity for all. Go For Broke is very thankful to Councilmember Jan Perry and the California Cultural Historical Endowment for it is their support that has made the veterans one step closer to having their dream become a reality."
Architect Michael Maltzan made public preliminary designs for the center, which will be a 14,999-square-foot, two-story building. The architectural design provides the optimal usage of space for all its programming and administrative needs, and externally compliments the Go For Broke Monument and surroundings. To accommodate parking for staff and volunteers, parking with 55 spaces will be built below grade.
Through the center, the public will explore the Japanese American WWII veteran's story, as an example to educate future generations about the importance of civil liberties and racial tolerance. The center will offer a technology-focused, interactive exhibition utilizing Go For Broke's Hanashi oral history archive, which is the largest of its kind nationwide, and provide resources to the public to conduct oral history, offer research assistance, and teach this story nationwide. Moreover, the center will be the future headquarters of the organization.
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