For
Immediate Release: January
27, 2014 Contact: Cat
Nou – (916) 319-2004
Assemblymember
Yamada Commemorates
Fred
Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution
SACRAMENTO- Assemblymember Mariko Yamada (D-Davis) will recognize Davis
constituent and children’s book author, Dr. Loriene Honda, on the
Assembly Floor on “Fred Korematsu Day”, Thursday, January 30th.
Dr. Honda will be accompanied by her father, Mr. Lawrence Honda, who
was interned at the Manzanar War Relocation Center during World War
II. Assemblymember Yamada’s family members were also Manzanar
internees.
“In
honor of Fred Korematsu Day, it is important to reflect upon our
civil rights and the heroes who stood up to protect them,” stated
Assemblymember Yamada. “Inspired by illustrations by the late
renowned artist and Sacramento native, Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani, Dr.
Honda’s book, ‘The Cat Who Chose to Dream’ tells Jimmy the
Cat’s tale of triumph over tragedy and freedom over fear during the
Japanese American internment during World War II. My hope is that
young readers will be empowered to stand up for themselves and for
others by reading this story.”
Dr.
Honda is a child and adolescent psychologist, using art to help
children distance themselves from the pain of abuse and neglect so
that they can make strides towards healing. Currently, Dr. Honda
serves her community through her private practice in Davis.
In
2010, AB 1775 established the “Fred Korematsu Day of Civil
Liberties and the Constitution” to honor Asian American Civil
Rights Hero, Fred Korematsu, who defied orders of removal during
World War II. His failure to report to the internment camp later
became the subject of a Supreme Court case challenging the
constitutionality of forced incarceration of Japanese American
citizens.
Assemblymember
Yamada will host a reception in honor of Dr. Honda and her book at
10:00 am in Capitol Room 317. Members of the public are invited to
attend. Please RSVP by calling (916) 319-2004.
More
information about “The Cat Who Chose to Dream” may be found here:
http://www.martinpearl.com/childrensbooks/thecatwhochosetodream.html
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