[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Pages 4887-4888]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO KUNI HIRONAKA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ROBERT T. MATSUI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 26, 2003

  Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise in tribute to Kuni Hironaka, one of 
the region's greatest champions for protecting and promoting Asian 
American hiring and promotion policies. Kuni played an instrumental 
role in securing the inclusion of Asian Americans as a protected 
minority in the affirmative action hiring and promotion process that is 
used by all federal civilian and military agencies. As his friends and 
family gather to celebrate Kuni's wonderful achievements, I ask all of 
my colleagues to join with me in saluting one of Sacramento's most 
dedicated citizen leaders.
  In 1967, Kuni realized that there were only three categories of 
protected minorities specified for the affirmative action program at 
McClellan Air Force Base in Sacramento, these were: black, Hispanic, 
and women. Kuni was particularly alarmed by the fact that there were no 
Asian foremen on the maintenance side of the workforce and no Asian 
supervisors on the management side of the workforce. Many Asian 
employees failed to rise through the ranks despite their considerable 
experience and education.
  Kuni's decision to explore the issue with the civilian Affirmative 
Action Officer was greeted with an unsatisfactory response. At the 
expense of jeopardizing his own employment and promotion future at 
McClellan Air Force Base, he boldly pursued the matter up the chain of 
command. In the course of standing for his principles and furthering 
the interests of Asian Americans in the workforce, Kuni would come to 
bring about change on a national level.
  Kuni was appointed by Phil Hiroshima, President of the Japanese 
American Citizens League (JACL) at the time, to represent the JACL in 
meetings with top military officials to make the case that the 
affirmative action category should be expanded not only to include 
Asian Americans, but also Native Americans as well.
  As a result of Kuni's remarkable dedication to the cause and a 
relentless pursuit of justice, the process of leaving Asian Americans 
out of the affirmative action hiring and promotion process was 
eventually examined by the United States Department of Defense. 
Ultimately, the term ``oriental'' was changed to Asian American and 
Pacific Islanders and McClellan Air Force Base began to promote 
qualified Asian Americans within the maintenance and civil workforce.
  Kuni's decision to challenge the establishment to bring about equal 
treatment for Asian Americans at McClellan Air Force Base had a 
resounding impact nationally. In addition to military installations, 
Asians Americans also came to be recognized as a protected minority by 
all federal civilian and military agencies. Kuni played a crucial role 
in paving the road for his and future generations of Asian Americans by 
breaking down the glass ceiling in the workplace.
  Kuni truly represents the real spirit of community service. 
Throughout his life, Kuni has

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demonstrated the importance of giving back to his community. Kuni's 
commitment to helping others and improving his community is an 
inspiration and example to his fellow citizens.
  Mr. Speaker, as Mr. Kuni Hironaka's friends and family gather to 
celebrate and honor his many contributions, I am honored to pay tribute 
to one of Sacramento's most honorable citizens. His successes are 
unparalleled, and it is a great honor for me to have the opportunity to 
pay tribute to his accomplishments. I ask all my colleagues to join 
with me in wishing my dear, dear friend Kuni continued success in all 
his future endeavors.

                          ____________________