Partial Transcript: (Interview pauses at 20 seconds. Interview restarts at 1 minute, 3 seconds) In 1938 Paul meets Ken Nakaoka at a USC party. During this time, there are not many Nisei at the school. Many years later, Paul sees Ken again, and they work together in real estate in Gardena. Ken is active in the community and runs for city council, and later becomes Mayor of Gardena. Paul gets to know many council members and asked to be a Planning Commissioner.

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Keywords: community leaders; community organizations; employment; higher education; Japanese Americans; Nisei; Nisei veterans; post-war

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Partial Transcript: Paul recalls being discriminated against by the Elks Lodge when they would not accept him and Ken Nakaoka as members. In Carson, there is an Elks Lodge chapter, and Paul joins. In 1980, Paul is in Washington DC and transfers his Elks Lodge membership there. Paul becomes active in the Elks Lodge to demonstrate that Japanese Americans can be good members and there should be no prejudices. After working as a Planning Commissioner, Paul starts his political career as a city council member and Assemblyman.

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Keywords: Japanese Americans; Nisei; Nisei veterans

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Partial Transcript: Paul is active in the Republican Party. He says he doesn't help just the Republican Party, but he helps people who can do a job for the community. Paul recalls a time when he helps a player for the LA Rams who need acupuncture for his arm. At the time, acupuncture is illegal in California. Paul investigates, and Nevada is the only state that legalizes acupuncture. Paul helps the LA Rams player to get treatment by passing a bill.

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Keywords: community leaders; Japanese Americans; Nisei; Nisei veterans

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Partial Transcript: Paul helps get the Sadao Munemori signs on the highway. Previously the highways did not have name signage because the Department of Highway would have to pay for signage. Paul introduces a bill, and a portion of the highways are named after the 442nd, 100th, Military Intelligence Service (MIS), Sadao Munemori, and Edmond Russ. Paul feels it is important to remember and honor people. Paul also mentions how Congressional actions help Daniel Inouye and other Congressional Medal of Honor recipients. Paul plans on going to Washington DC soon to help get bills passed for veterans.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 100th; 442nd; Japanese Americans; Military Intelligence Service; Nisei; Nisei veterans

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Partial Transcript: Paul explains Veterans Affairs is a lot of legislative work called lobbying. Paul is a lobbyist for the Veterans Affairs, a Commander of the Disabled American Veterans, and a National Representative Legislative Representative from California. The goal is to have the President, the Head of the Veterans Administration, and the legislators work to help veterans. Paul recalls helping a widow of a Nisei veteran be buried in Hawaii.

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Keywords: Japanese Americans; Nisei; Nisei veterans

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Partial Transcript: Nisei veterans are important to Paul. He discusses raising funds and buying the land at Evergreen for a cemetery monument. At the cemetery, some soldiers killed in action (KIA) in Europe are buried in Evergreen. In addition, there is a monument in Sacramento at the Capitol grounds with veterans' names. Furthermore, a monument at the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center (JACCC) is dedicated to the veterans from World War Two, Korean War, and Vietnam War.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 100th; 442nd; community leaders; community organizations; Japanese Americans; Nisei; Nisei veterans; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: Paul is a former President and originals for Go For Broke. He recalls introducing a bill with the help of other Japanese American community leaders to the House in Congress for a monument for all Japanese Americans who served during World War Two. Some opposed the bill. Therefore, an amendment is written, "for the heroism of all Japanese Americans." As a result, the bill is passed and signed. The land is donated by the United States government for the monument. Paul and others are still working on fundraising money for the Nisei veterans monument.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 100th; 442nd; Japanese American soldiers; Nisei; Nisei soldiers; Nisei veterans; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: Paul is active at the Japanese American National Museum (JANM), and he discusses why people question his activism with the Go For Broke monument (located outside JANM). The Committee feels the Go For Broke monument should be for the 442nd and 100th only. However, Paul opposes. He feels for funding purposes, and the Military Intelligence Service (MIS) should be recognized as well. Later the MIS and others are included on the monument. The monument at the JACCC has World War Two, Korean War, and Vietnam War Veterans names of those KIA. Paul feels that should be separated.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 100th; 442nd; community leaders; Japanese American soldiers; Japanese Americans; Killed in Action; Military Intelligence Service; Nisei; Nisei veterans

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Partial Transcript: Paul discusses his involvement with the Japanese American National Museum (JANM). JANM has a Boyle Heights exhibition, and he goes to support. If there is a good project, Paul likes to help and be involved. The opening of JANM will educate the community about the Japanese American experience and the contributions of the Japanese Americans.

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Keywords: Americans of Japanese Ancestry; community leaders; Japanese Americans; Nisei; Nisei veterans

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