<Begin Segment 19>

TI: So to wrap up the redress, when it was finally passed and President Ronald Reagan signed it, what did it mean to you personally? What thoughts went through your mind when, after years and years of work, and you think of all the people and all these little stories that made it happen, what came to mind for you?

FS: I was just relieved and thankful. I thought about all the people that helped us in the redress bill, but I also thought about guys like (your uncle) Bako, and all the guys that helped us overcome this period. [Interruption] And I say thank you to all of them. You know, Tom, I had the most miraculous career that one could have. Who'd have ever thought a young farm boy from out here in Puyallup would have the career I had? But it's all because of people that went before, guys like my brothers, that made it possible. I'm just so grateful.

TI: And, Frank, I'm so glad that we took the time to do this interview. It's remarkable, I learned so much these last couple hours about not only your career, but, again that behind the scenes of what you did.

[Interruption]

FS: All I can say is, whether it's redress, JACL, or my job as the Inspector General VA and Transportation, I did the best job I could, and that's all I can say. [Laughs] And that's all... I'm at peace with myself, and I'm glad I did and was able to do what I did, particularly on the redress thing. I think of our Issei parents, your grandma and grandpa, my parents, and you know my granddad came here and went back to Japan. So I'm really...

TI: A Sansei.

FS: Sansei in a sense. But all of those folks paved the way for us, and I'm grateful for all of that. I can't... I was talking to Reverend Derek Nakano (Senior Pastor, Blaine Memorial United Methodist Church, Seattle, Washington), not too long back, and he was asking me about one thing or another, and I said, you know, I've had the most miraculous career (...) through the church and all. You know, I told Reverend Derek, when I look back on it, God had his hand on me all the way. When I was born and baptized, did I tell you?

TI: Yes. Your name, your name came from the...

FS: Yeah. And following that, where did I meet my wife? Right through MYF (Methodist Youth Fellowship), in the same church. In camp, when I was going to Sunday school, I'm learning John 3:16, which is my birthday. All of these things just kind of seemed like a blessing that just filled my life. How can I not feel so blessed? I'm just so grateful. And as Eric Saul would say, "Do you believe in miracles? Do you believe in unmei?" It's all there. It's amazing.

TI: So, Frank, thank you so much for doing this interview, it was fabulous. Yeah, thank you so much.

FS: Thank you.

<End Segment 19> - Copyright © 2017 Densho. All Rights Reserved.