[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 30 (Thursday, March 9, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E339]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       IN MEMORY OF KUNI HIRONAKA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DORIS O. MATSUI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 9, 2006

  Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in tribute to a dear friend, 
tireless volunteer and community leader. Kuni Hironaka, served our 
nation through many decades of service at McClellan Air Force Base as 
well as volunteering with numerous community organizations in the 
Sacramento region with great passion, integrity and commitment. He 
passed away on March 8th. As his family and friends gather to honor and 
remember his wonderful life, I ask all my colleagues to join me in 
saluting one of Sacramento's most well-respected figures, and my 
friend, Kuni Hironaka.
  Kuni was born and raised in Sacramento, where he lived for most of 
his life. He worked for 37 years at McClellan Air Force Base as a 
civilian employee. In 1967 he observed that Asian Americans were not a 
protected minority in the federal workforce. At McClellan there were no 
Asian American supervisors or foremen in the maintenance department or 
in the base's management, even though there were a considerable number 
of qualified individuals with the experience and education necessary to 
do the job well.
  Taking a personal and professional risk, Kuni strived to change this. 
He repeatedly inquired with the McClellan Air Force Base chain of 
command and did not rest until the Department of Defense reviewed their 
hiring and promotion practices. Ultimately, his decision to challenge 
the status quo resulted in more qualified Asian Americans being 
promoted in the civilian workforce and the removal of the term 
``Oriental'' as an ethnic identifier. Kuni played a crucial role in 
ensuring that all minorities were treated fairly and protected in the 
workplace.
  Kuni was always one to give back to our community, spending most of 
his free time helping others. He was active with the Sacramento Chapter 
of the Japanese American Citizens League, the Sacramento Asian Sports 
Foundation, Bocho Doshi Kai and the South Tanoshimi Kai. The day of his 
passing, he spent all morning volunteering at the Japanese American 
National Bowling Association's annual tournament.
  In recognition of his longtime dedication to numerous non-profit 
causes and his commitment to civil rights, Kuni was honored as an 
``Asian Pacific American Heritage Hero'' by Sacramento's public 
television station, KVIE, just last April. It was a fitting honor for a 
man who gave so much to so many others.
  Bob and I were truly lucky to know Kuni so well and to be able to 
call him our friend. He was always there to help us and our family. 
Brian, Amy, Anna and I, as well as countless others in Sacramento will 
miss him deeply.
  Kuni is survived by a loving family, including his wonderful wife 
Rose, their four children, David, Amy, Arlene, and Richard, and seven 
grandchildren.
  Mr. Speaker, as Kuni Hironaka's family members and friends gather to 
honor his legacy and many contributions, I am honored to pay tribute to 
one of my closest friends. I ask all my colleagues to join with me in 
paying respect to and acknowledging the life of an extraordinarily 
caring man.

                          ____________________