HomeMy WebLinkAboutCorrespondence - Item 29
Flores, Dora
From:Glenn Tanaka <glenn@tanakafarms.com>
Sent:Tuesday, January 21, 2025 9:11 AM
To:eComment
Subject:Agenda Item #29, January 21, 2025
Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana. Use caution when opening attachments or links.
I request that the city council adopt resolution #29 recognizing the Japanese American Citizens
League Southeast Los Angeles, North Orange County/Orange County Chapter as a key stakeholder in
preserving the Orange County Japanese Tea House and Garden.
This garden, funded by Japanese American community donors like my father, represents more than a
landscape. It is a living memorial intended to help future generations understand our community's
history, resilience, contribution and gratitude to Orange County. Recognizing JACLSLANOO as a
stakeholder will ensure the garden's historical significance and educational purpose are maintained.
Arigato,
Farmer Tanaka
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Flores, Dora
From:George Sakioka <gmks@sakioka.com>
Sent:Tuesday, January 21, 2025 1:27 PM
To:eComment
Cc:Glenn T. Tanaka - Tanaka Farms (glenn@tanakafarms.com)
Subject:Support for Consent Item 29 - 1/21/25 Consent Calendar Agenda: OC Japanese
Garden at the OC Civic Center in Santa Ana
Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana. Use caution when opening attachments or links.
Dear Mayor Amezcua and City Councilmembers,
I am writing to express my support for the resolution identifying the Japanese American Citizens
League, Southeast Los Angeles, North Orange County/Orange County Chapter as a community
stakeholder in the preservation of the Orange County Japanese Tea House and Garden.
As a descendant of one of the original donors and supporters of this project, I urge you to approve
this resolution. The Japanese Garden and Tea House, established in 1969, represents a significant
cultural legacy in our community. It stands as a testament to the vision of our forebears who sought to
promote cross-cultural understanding and appreciation.
By recognizing the Japanese American Citizens League as a stakeholder, you will be honoring the
original intent of the garden's creators and safeguarding its future for generations to come. It also
honors those in the Japanese American community that have come before us. We owe much to
them for their hard work, determination, sacrifice, and perseverance. Approving this resolution will
demonstrate Santa Ana's ongoing dedication to these important values.
Although this item is on the Consent Calendar and are routinely approve without discussion, I
respectfully ask that you vote in favor of this resolution to carry on the legacy of our community's
founders.
Thank you very much,
George M.K. Sakioka
Sakioka Company, LLC
14850 Sunflower Avenue
Santa Ana, CA 92707
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714-545-8611
gmks@sakioka.com
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Flores, Dora
From:janice munemitsu <jmunemitsu@me.com>
Sent:Tuesday, January
To:eComment
Cc:Janice Munemitsu; Glenn Tanaka
Subject:Comment for Jan 21,2025 Santa Ana City Council Meeting
Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana. Use caution when opening attachments or links.
To the Santa Ana City Council and City Management.
Thank you for putting resolution 29 on the agenda for tonight’s meeting. As you will be voting on this
resolution identifying the Japanese American Citizens League Southeast Los Angeles, North Orange
County/Orange County Chapter as a community stakeholder in the preservation of the Orange County Japanese
Tea House and Garden, I want to express my thanks and encouragement for the passing of this resolution.
I understand that in approving this resolution, the JACL SELANOC will be involved in the legacy of this
important historical space.
This garden is of significant historical note for Orange County and for Japanese American history. It was
dedicated in 1970, which was 25 years after our families returned from the Poston AZ incarceration camp to
their homes and farms in Orange County. The dedication plaque says it all: “Dedicated and Presented for the
Pleasure of All People in Orange County by the Japanese American Community. A Grateful Arigato ini Honor
of our Pioneer Fathers and for the Blessings of Freedom.” May 27, 1970.
After 3.5 years incarcerated, this commemorates gratitude for FREEDOM!
My grandfather, Seima Munemitsu, was an Issei (first generation) advisor on the project and my Nisei dad,
Seiko Lincoln “Tad” Munemitsu was the canvassing volunteer. Seima was arrested unjustly by the FBI accused
of spy activity and my dad incarcerated in Poston, AZ for over 3.5 years. To return home to their farm in
Westminster and to friends who helped them, like the Gonzalo Mendez family, was a great blessing and this is
why they believed and gave to the project in 1970.
On a personal note: When I was in Jr. High School, I was a volunteer for JACS and the mailing of the requests
for contributions as my dad’s daughter. I folded the letters of requests in envelopes and sealed them on our
dining room table. I believe I was the youngest volunteer.
Thank you in advance for passing this important resolution - a grateful arigato to you.
Cultivating Kindness,
Janice Munemitsu
Author, The Kindness of Color - The Story of Mendez v. Westminster and the Japanese American family farm
in Westminster where the Mendez family leased during WWII.
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The Kindness of Color
thekindnessofcolor.com
https://linktr.ee/jmunemitsu
Cultivating Kindness,
Janice Munemitsu
Author, The Kindness of Color
www.thekindnessofcolor.com
https://linktr.ee/jmunemitsu
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