[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 112 (Friday, July 25, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1639-E1640]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     COMMENDING THE JAPANESE AMERICAN NATIONAL BOWLING ASSOCIATION

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL M. HONDA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 25, 2003

  Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Japanese 
American National Bowling Association (JANBA). From its noble inception 
to oppose discrimination after World War II, JANBA continues to be a 
forum for social interaction and friendly competition for its thousands 
of members throughout the United States.
  After internment in World War II, Japanese Americans trying to return 
to a life of normalcy discovered bowling as an engaging social pursuit. 
The sport quickly became a popular pastime with many joining bowling 
leagues and competitions. However, a restriction against Japanese 
Americans on the national stage was quickly realized.
  In 1947, Mr. Rokuro ``Fuzzy'' Shimada was planning to bowl in a Santa 
Clara bowling league. However, he was denied acceptance due to the 
league's ``whites only'' membership policy set by the American Bowling 
Congress (ABC). In objection, the National Japanese American Citizens 
League (JACL) Nisei Bowling Tournament was birthed later that year. The 
selected venue was Salt Lake City, Utah, the headquarters of the 
National JACL at that time. Despite its inaugural year, the tournament 
was able to attract nearly 300 participants.
  Admirably, Mr. ``Fuzzy'' Shimada was inducted into the ABC Hall of 
Fame as a Pioneer in 1997, after the discriminatory rules were absolved 
in 1951.
  From 1947 to 1973, the National JACL Nisei Bowling Tournament was 
held annually at multiple locations across the United States. Then in 
1974, the Japanese American National Bowling Association was spawned 
when it was agreed by the JACL Advisory Board of Bowling to form a 
separate organization from the JACL. Mr. Ozzie Shimada acted as the 
president pro tem for the first year.
  The Annual JANBA Tournament has continued its heralded traditions 
passed down from the JACL. Recently, the 2003 JANBA tournament was held 
in San Francisco. Over 800 men and women bowlers of all ages enjoyed

[[Page E1640]]

competing in multiple tournament formats during the weeklong event.
  Mr. Speaker, I commend the Japanese American National Bowling 
Association (JANBA) for its courageous beginnings to oppose segregation 
in the aftermath of World War II and providing a venue for social 
interaction and friendly competition for fellow Americans.

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