John A. (Jack) Svahn Interview Segment 1

Family background: parents met in Spokane, Washington (ddr-densho-1000-536-1) - 0:03:31
Reasons for family members moving to Washington state (ddr-densho-1000-536-2) - 0:01:53
Moving frequently as a child (ddr-densho-1000-536-3) - 0:06:28
Attending high school (ddr-densho-1000-536-4) - 0:04:58
Meeting Japanese Americans in high school (ddr-densho-1000-536-5) - 0:04:16
Attending the University of Washington (ddr-densho-1000-536-6) - 0:04:09
Joining the crew team (ddr-densho-1000-536-7) - 0:02:17
Going to law school (ddr-densho-1000-536-8) - 0:05:43
Being recruited to a position in the White House (ddr-densho-1000-536-9) - 0:07:07
Gaining political experience at a young age (ddr-densho-1000-536-10) - 0:04:29
Different factions within the Reagan administration (ddr-densho-1000-536-11) - 0:04:29
Role as Assistant to the President for Policy Development (ddr-densho-1000-536-12) - 0:02:11
Familiarity with the Japanese American redress movement (ddr-densho-1000-536-13) - 0:03:55
Meeting Frank Sato and members of the Japanese American Citizens League (ddr-densho-1000-536-14) - 0:07:41
Reminding Ronald Reagan about Japanese American redress (ddr-densho-1000-536-15) - 0:05:33
Arguments of those opposed to redress (ddr-densho-1000-536-16) - 0:03:53
Other people in communication with Ronald Reagan about redress (ddr-densho-1000-536-17) - 0:04:37
Feeling confident that Reagan would sign the redress bill (ddr-densho-1000-536-18) - 0:13:13
The impact of redress on the Japanese American community (ddr-densho-1000-536-19) - 0:05:13
Thoughts on the current political climate (ddr-densho-1000-536-20) - 0:06:51
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Densho
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SEGMENT ID

ddr-densho-1000-536-1 ()

SEGMENT DESCRIPTION

Family background: parents met in Spokane, Washington

0:03:31 — Segment 1 of 20

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DATE

May 24, 2023

LOCATION

PARENT COLLECTION

Densho Visual History Collection

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Densho

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INTERVIEW ID

ddr-densho-1000-536

NARRATOR

John A. (Jack) Svahn

INTERVIEW TITLE

John A. (Jack) Svahn Interview

1:42:49 — 20 segments

DATE

May 24, 2023

LOCATION

Reno, Nevada

DESCRIPTION

Caucasian male. Born May 13, 1943, in New London, Connecticut. Moved frequently as an adolescent since father was in the U.S. Navy. Attended high school in Honolulu, Hawaii, then college at the University of Washington. Served in the U.S. Air Force, then attended the University of the Pacific McGeorge Law School and Georgetown University School of Law. In 1973, became Director of the California Department of Social Welfare, and subsequently held several positions in the federal government. In 1981, was appointed Commissioner of Social Security, and in 1983 was recruited to be the Assistant to the President for Policy Development under President Ronald Reagan. Was instrumental in helping to influence Reagan to sign the Civil Liberties Act of 1988.

PRODUCTION

Tom Ikeda, interviewer; Dana Hoshide, videographer

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CONTRIBUTOR

Densho

PREFERRED CITATION

Courtesy of Densho

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API