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TI: This is an interview for the Densho project, we're interviewing Rudy Tokiwa. Interviewers are me, Tom Ikeda, and next to me is Judy Niizawa. The videographer is Matt Emery. Rudy, I'm going to start by thinking about what we've been doing the last three days. For the last three days, we've been at a conference about the redress movement. And you've heard a lot of people talking about things, and we're going to talk about that a little later. But first, I wanna just ask you, how did you first get involved with the redress movement?

RT: Well, I first got involved with the redress movement -- Judy was to blame. She talked to me about lobbying for the redress, and how it should be done, and she felt that I could talk to these people and it wouldn't bother me. And so then she told me that what they needed was some veterans. And so I happened to be the one that went to talk to a lot of the, lot of the senators and congressmen. And I went to talk to them, as a veteran.

TI: But Rudy, there were lots of veterans -- why do you think they chose you to be a spokesperson? What made you special?

RT: Well, I think what they were lookin' at was I was somebody that was used to talking to, to a lot of people and I had a lot to talk about. And I never -- I'd get into a conversation with people, and I was never lost for words. And I think this is the reason why they thought I'd do real well.

<End Segment 1> - Copyright © 1997 Densho. All Rights Reserved.