[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 63 (Wednesday, May 14, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E921]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO EDWIN OHKI

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. LYNN C. WOOLSEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 14, 1997

  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an 
outstanding and courageous individual, Edwin Ohki. The death of Mr. 
Ohki on October 23, 1996, was a sad day for all of Sonoma County, where 
he was a longtime resident.
  Born in Livingston, CA, in 1923, Ed and his family were placed in a 
Japanese internment camp when World War II began. After being forced to 
live in the camp for over a year, Ed volunteered for the U.S. Army, 
even though as a Japanese-American he was offered combat duty only.
  Ed joined the famed 442d Infantry Battalion, the most decorated unit 
in U.S. Army history. During combat in Italy, he was injured and then 
returned to the United States to spend over four painful months in the 
hospital. Ed was awarded the Purple Heart for his actions. Despite his 
heroism and being honorably discharged from the Army, Ed was sent back 
to an internment camp.
  After the war, Ed returned to California and graduated from the 
University of California, Davis. He moved to Santa Rosa, in 1951, where 
he later joined his family's landscape business. Ed also served as 
secretary of the Sonoma County Landscape Gardeners Association.
  Ed was very active with the First United Methodist Church of Santa 
Rosa, and the local Buddhist community. In addition, he served as 
president of the Sonoma County Japanese-American Citizen League. Ed 
will forever be remembered as a bridge builder--as someone who reached 
out to people of all racial and religious backgrounds.
  Mr. Speaker, Ed Ohki served his country and his community well. He 
consistently extended himself on behalf of many people for a variety of 
important causes. Our Nation owes a great deal of gratitude to him for 
his tireless efforts. I extend my deepest sympathies to his wife, Anne, 
and their family. He will be missed by all.

                          ____________________