Dear JACL Member and Friend:

Several months ago, I received a very touching and heartfelt letter that I would like to share with you. The writer, who lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts, wrote:

As an American Jew, I have been struck by the many parallels between the history of both our peoples. Several years ago, I wrote an article for Rafu Shimpo on the lobbying of American Jewish organizations in support of U.S. government restitution to the Japanese-Americans herded into 'internment camps."

I am writing to you now to express how touched I was to learn that the JACL helped initiate a full-page ad in a Sacramento newspaper declaring support and empathy for the Jewish community following the terrible bombings of three synagogues.

The writer enclosed a contribution to support the work of JACL and said that if possible, he would like to become a member of our organization.

Seventy years ago we made a commitment to uphold the civil and human rights for Japanese Americans and all Americans. We have never diverged from this commitment. Thanks to generous donations from members like you, we have an unparalleled record in this area. And this year's Annual Fund Raising Drive is an important step in ensuring that a healthy and vital JACL continues this work. Here's a taste of what's currently going on.

As we approach the new millennium, we are building even greater influence on the local and national scene.

• We remain extremely active in the social and legislative arenas, confronting such important issues as hate crimes, affirmative action, and media stereotyping.
• Letters, faxes, and email from JACL members keep Bill Lann Lee's confirmation as Assistant Attorney General for civil rights in the minds of the nation's lawmakers.
• The Pacific Citizen once again provides news on a weekly basis of events within the national JA community.
• The 5-day Washington, DC Leadership Conference gives 25 emerging leaders of JACL and the Organization of Chinese Americans an opportunity to learn firsthand about current public policy issues facing our respective communities.

We're also making sure that our presence and influence will be felt in the years to come through programs that foster involvement among students and young people.

• The JACL National Youth/Student Conference at the University of California, Irvine, brings together attendees from all over the U.S. for a stimulating program covering everything from affirmative action, hate crimes, and Hapa/identity to cooking, mentoring, and learning more about the Asian American Movement. The conference continues to build a pool of leadership for tomorrow's Japanese American community.
• We're developing curriculum guides and conducting teacher trainings to make sure that Japanese-American history, especially the years covering internment, becomes a permanent part of school programs across the U.S.. Additional informational tools include an extensive bibliography and a new web site.
• In 1999 we awarded over $70,000 in scholarships to 42 students, but we'd like to do more. Your generous gift will enable JACL to increase the number and size of scholarships.
• The Masaoka Fellowship continues to provide for a college or grad student to work in the office of a senator or representative in Washington, D.C. to gain leadership experience.

We're also making Legacy Fund grants that help JACL chapters and affiliated organizations disseminate activities on chapter activities and to promote programs that will carry the goals and objectives of the JACL well into the next century.

Our friend in Cambridge, Massachusetts did not think twice about acting in a way that supports his deepest beliefs. Hopefully, you share his same vision. The year 1999 is a good time to renew your commitment to build a strong Japanese American community and reaffirm the spirit, heritage, and culture of Japanese American life. Won't you consider making an especially generous contribution to this year's annual drive?

Every extra dollar you donate will go a long way toward making this one of the most notable and productive times in JACL's history.

Sincerely,
Lori Fujimoto
VP Public Affairs