[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 186 (Friday, December 11, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2982-E2983]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




IN RECOGNITION OF THE AWARDING OF AN HONORARY DEGREE TO MR. JOHN YASHIO 
                                KASHIKI

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, December 11, 2009

  Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay special tribute to Mr. 
John Yoshio Kashiki of Parlier, California on the occasion of receiving 
an honorary degree from the University of California, Davis more than 
six decades after his studies were interrupted by the events of World 
War II. I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking John for his decades 
of service to the people of California's Central Valley.
  Mr. Kashiki was born in California in 1919 and grew up in the 
Imperial Valley. John was attending the University of California, Davis 
when the onset of World War II led to the internment of Japanese-
Americans and nationals of Japanese heritage. John Kashiki was one of 
hundreds of men and women attending the University of California who 
were forced to leave their studies in 1942 as a result of the executive 
order.
  Mr. Kashiki's experience with internment did not, however, serve to 
sway his commitment

[[Page E2983]]

to his country. John volunteered to serve in the storied 442nd Infantry 
regiment of the United States Army which was composed of Asian-American 
soldiers who served with great distinction in Europe. After returning 
home, John started farming and packing businesses in Parlier, 
California and remains an active member of the community and an avid 
fisherman.
  Over six decades after enrolling in college, John and the forty-six 
other students who were forced to abandon their studies at the 
University of California, Davis, are being recognized by the University 
with the awarding of the honorary degrees they so richly deserve. John, 
and fellow class members, will receive their degrees on December 12th, 
2009 with friends and family in attendance.
  Please join me in congratulating Mr. John Yashio Kashiki on this 
well-deserved honor and thanking him for his years of service to his 
community and to his country.

                          ____________________