[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 150 (Tuesday, November 19, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2104-E2105]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO JERRY ENOMOTO

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ROBERT T. MATSUI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 19, 2002

  Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor a friend with a 
remarkable career in law enforcement and criminal justice. To say that 
Jerry Enomoto has been a trailblazer in American law enforcement would 
only begin to skim the surface of the extraordinary contributions that 
he has made to our communities over the years. After 45 remarkable 
years of outstanding public service, Jerry recently retired from the 
post of United States Marshal for the Eastern District of California. 
As his friends, family, and colleagues gather to celebrate Jerry's 
illustrious career, I ask all of my colleagues to join me in saluting 
this outstanding citizen of Sacramento.
  Jerry Enomoto, a second generation Japanese American, was born in San 
Francisco. His education at the prestigious Lowell High School in San 
Francisco was abruptly interrupted by the wartime hysteria against 
Japanese Americans in the 1940s. Undeterred by the experience, Jerry 
remained dedicated to his studies and graduated as a valedictorian of 
his high school class while interned at the Tule Lake War Recreation 
Center. After his release, Jerry started his career in public service 
by serving a successful stint in the United States Army. Upon 
completion of his military commitment, Jerry returned to California to 
pursue a college education. Using his trademark dedication and 
determination, Jerry would ultimately receive his Bachelors and Masters 
degrees from the University of California in Berkeley.
  Jerry has earned a number of ``firsts'' in his distinguished career. 
In recognition of his outstanding service to the California Department 
of Corrections, Jerry was tapped by Governor Reagan to become the first 
Asian Pacific American to serve as a state prison warden. A few years 
later, as Director of Corrections, Jerry would become the first Asian 
Pacific American to manage a state department in California history. 
Seven years ago, Jerry secured the greatest honor of his unparalleled 
career when he became the first Asian Pacific American appointed as a 
United States Marshal.
  As United States Marshal for the Eastern District of California, 
Jerry worked tirelessly to bring together local, state, and federal law 
enforcement agencies and improve the communities that cover the thirty-
four inland county district that stretches from Bakersfield to the 
Oregon border. Under Jerry's leadership, the Eastern District of 
California received the Volunteer and Community Services Award from the 
Attorney General in 2000. Jerry's commitment to improve the lives of 
his fellow citizens is not exclusive to strictly law enforcement. Jerry 
remains one of the preeminent civil rights activists in the region. 
Jerry was twice elected to the distinguished post of National President 
of the Japanese American Citizen League (JACL). As the National Chair 
of the Legislative Education Committee of the JACL, Jerry played an 
instrumental role in the spearheading the successful lobby for the 
passage of the Civil Liberties Act of 1987, an act which authorized 
redress for the internment of Japanese American during World War II. 
For his efforts, Jerry was the recipient of the JACL's highest award, 
``Japanese American of the Biennium'' in 1992.
  Until today, Jerry and his wife, Dorothy, remain active in community 
affairs. Whether it is through their participation in the Greater 
Sacramento Area Hate Crimes Task Force, or their intimate involvement 
in organizing the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. dinner, Jerry and 
Dorothy are still steadfastly committed to make Sacramento a better 
place for people from all different walks of life.
  Mr. Speaker, as Jerry's friends, family, and colleagues gather to 
celebrate his great career, I am honored to pay tribute to one of 
Sacramento's most honorable citizens. Jerry's

[[Page E2105]]

continuous leadership is a true testament to public service. If a 
template for leadership could be made, it would surely bear the 
resemblance of my dear friend, Jerry Enomoto. Although his career in 
law enforcement may be over, his involvement in community service is, 
fortunate for us, far from over. I ask all of my colleagues to join 
with me in wishing Jerry Enomoto continued success in all his future 
endeavors.

                          ____________________