<Begin Segment 19>

DH: When you graduated from high school, you were the student body president...

JH: That's correct.

DH: ...as I understand, and I heard that you gave a speech.

JH: Yes. It was a senior banquet, and I addressed the class with all the parents there. And, of course, I'll have to add that my parents were there also. And they were... they were dressed rather uniquely, I guess, is a proper, I guess it's a polite word of saying I was a little bit embarrassed, the way they were dressed.

[Interruption]

DH: Well, describe it. What were they wearing?

JH: I can't really tell you what they were wearing, but I was slightly embarrassed with them, because they were wearing -- my father was fine, he was wearing a suit and tie. But my mom had very little clothes; we were very, extremely poor, and she was dressed cleanly, but a little shabbily, and I remember. But, I did make a speech to the parents, and it was based on how I felt, how I was accepted by all the fellow students, even though I was obviously a different ethnic persuasion. And several of the teachers and parents came over and shook my hand and told me what a great speech it was. And it was one of the highlights of my life.

DH: What was the point of the speech?

JH: Basically that, I thanked them, both the students and the parents, for accepting me as a fellow student, and that was the basic part of the speech. And, of course, we always are at odds with our parents, but I told 'em what, how valuable they were, and basically we thanked all the parents for all the students who were there.

DH: Did, could your parents understand what the speech was about?

JH: I think so. I think so. I know they were very proud.

DH: That's what I was going to ask, if they understand what an honor it was to have you selected to give the speech.

JH: Yeah.

<End Segment 19> - Copyright © 1998 Densho. All Rights Reserved.