[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 53 (Thursday, May 5, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 5, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                          COMMENDING ROSE OCHI

                                 ______


                       HON. LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 5, 1994

  Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge and 
commend the personal and professional accomplishments of Ms. Rose Ochi, 
a leader who has been nationally recognized for her outstanding efforts 
in the formulation of public safety and law enforcement policy. I 
commend her on the occasion of the 18th anniversary of Koreisha 
Chushoku Kai, Nutrition Program for the Elderly, in Los Angeles, which 
is honoring Ms. Ochi for her lifetime contributions to their program 
and to the Japanese-American community.
  Ms. Ochi's was unjustly interned with her family--and 120,000 other 
Japanese-Americans--during World War II, and was later arbitrarily 
subjected to deportation hearings. These trying experiences helped 
forge her deep commitment to work for social justice.
  As an attorney and advocate, she has worked effectively as an agent 
for social change. She first worked as a staff attorney at the 
University of Southern California Western Center on Law and Poverty.
  Ms. Ochi became the first woman to serve as director of criminal 
justice Planning for the city of Los Angeles. In this capacity, she has 
initiated many innovative programs--including a domestic violence 
prosecution unit and shelter facilities, a juvenile justice diversion 
project, a community youth gang services program, and a community drug 
treatment program. Her efforts toward making government more responsive 
to women's and ethnic minorities' concerns have been particularly 
noted.
  Ms. Ochi was the first Asian-American to serve as a trustee on the 
board of the Los Angeles County Bar Association, and was a founding 
member of the Japanese-American and Minority Bar Associations. Her 
leadership and contribution to volunteer organizations have been 
honored by many organizations, including the Young Women's Christian 
Association, the National Organization for Women, the National Women's 
Political Caucus, and the U.S. Department of Justice.
  Her nomination to the position of Associate Director of State and 
Local Affairs for the Office of National Drug Policy has recently been 
confirmed by President Clinton. I know that her work in this important 
new position will be characterized by the same standards of excellence 
that have always been her hallmark.

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