[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 48 (Tuesday, April 16, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E535]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO HELEN MINETA

                                 ______


                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 15, 1996

  Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge a 
woman who exemplifies the very best of the American spirit. Helen 
Mineta, a teacher of politics and government for more than 30 years, a 
friend, and an active member of the community, died March 18th in San 
Jose, CA. She was 77. The daughter of immigrant Japanese parents, Ms. 
Mineta persevered throughout her life against racism, overcoming 
numerous barriers. She bettered the lives of those with whom she came 
in contact in countless ways, as a teacher and as an advocate for 
Japanese-American rights.
  Helen Mineta graduated from San Jose State College in 1938 with 
dreams of becoming a teacher, but was told by her professors that no 
one would hire a Japanese person. Undaunted, she worked in the speech 
and drama department at San Jose State while studying commerce. She 
remained at San Jose State until the onset of World War II and the 
attack on Pearl Harbor caused Americans to lash out at Japanese-
Americans. As a result of both racism and fear, Ms. Mineta and many 
other Japanese-Americans were placed in internment camps.
  Helen Mineta and her family were interned first at the Santa Anita 
Racetrack and then the Heart Mountain camp in Wyoming. Despite these 
hardships, Ms. Mineta managed to get out of the internment camp by 
obtaining a position as an executive secretary in a Chicago chemical 
corporation. Although forced to leave her family behind, she did not 
forget them. Ms. Mineta helped to educate her brother, Norman, who was 
without a school in the internment camp, by sending him books and 
questions to answer concerning them. Her hard work and tutelage reaped 
great benefits, for Norman was later to become our friend, the former 
congressman from San Jose.
  In the years after the war Ms. Mineta worked for her brother-in-law 
at the Japanese American Citizens League in Washington, D.C., fighting 
to help others deal with the same racism that had assailed her. She 
went on to receive another bachelor's degree from the University of 
California at Berkeley, and finally realized her goal of teaching at 
San Jose High School in 1958. But again tragedy struck as Ms. Mineta 
was about to receive a much dreamed about position at the United 
Nations. Her mother died in 1956 and she returned home to help her 
father.
  Helen Mineta remained actively involved in the community throughout 
her life, giving lectures on the racism she confronted and overcame 
during World War II and throughout her life. She was also instrumental 
in the fight to build the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts, 
bringing a valuable resource to the community. Her accomplishments were 
acknowledged by the University of California Alumni Club.
  In the end, though, many remember Helen Mineta as a dear friend who 
had a zest for life. She remained active and cheerful throughout her 
life despite the obstacles. She will be sorely missed. Ms. Mineta is 
survived by two sisters, Etsu M. Masaoka of Chevy Chase, MD and Aya 
Endo of Medford, NJ; two brothers, Albert Mineta of San Jose, and 
Norman Mineta of Alexandria, VA, and three nieces and four nephews. To 
them we send our deepest condolences.

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