Densho Digital Archive
Densho Visual History Collection
Title: Fred Hirasuna Interview
Narrator: Fred Hirasuna
Interviewers: Larry Hashima (primary), Cherry Kinoshita (secondary)
Location: University of California, Los Angeles
Date: September 12, 1997
Densho ID: denshovh-hfred-01-0007

<Begin Segment 7>

LH: Well, in terms of the, sort of the final redress law passing, what do you think were some of the key elements that got it over the top, and sort of got it signed by President Reagan?

FH: To me, the key element was the fact that JACL nationally raised over a million dollars. They maintained a year-round office in Washington, D.C. solely to work on redress. And I think that was very, very important. You know, you sent letters to Congress, sometimes I wonder if they ever read 'em. But with our office in Washington, D.C. like Grayce and Rita and Jo Anne, they were contacting the Congressmen every day, consulting them, and talking with Senator Inouye, Senator Matsunaga and the representatives there but who they should contact to try to get them to co-sponsor or vote for that measure. And I think with all due respect to what NCRR did -- and I think they worked hard -- I think their efforts were not as effective as our office in Washington. D.C. You know, that personal contact beats letters, I think.

LH: So the constant contact by the out members in the LEC office in Washington, D.C. was really important.

FH: I think it was very important. What do you think about that?

<End Segment 7> - Copyright © 1997 Densho. All Rights Reserved.