[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Page 11727]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    REMEMBERING HIRAM HISANORI KANO

 Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. Mr. President, today I wish to pay 
tribute to a historic figure in Nebraska who helped this country 
through troubling times in a battle against racism, hatred and fear and 
in pursuit of justice and equality.
  Hiram Hisanori Kano was born in Tokyo, Japan, in 1889. When former 
Presidential candidate William Jennings Bryan traveled to Japan, the 
Kanos, as part of the Imperial family, hosted his visit. Their visitor 
from the west sparked in young Kano an intense desire to travel to the 
United States and especially to Bryan's home state of Nebraska.
  As the story is told by James E. Krotz during the Annual Council 
Eucharist at the Church of Our Savior in North Platte, NE, in 1916 Mr. 
Kano came to America, where his skills were put to good use in helping 
the many young Japanese who were immigrating to the United States to 
farm. He came to America and quickly earned a Masters Degree in 
Agricultural Economics at the University of Nebraska. In the years that 
followed he served as organizer, translator, teacher and spokesman for 
Japanese immigrants living in Nebraska.
  Just 1 year after his graduation from the University, Kano faced his 
first challenge when the Nebraska Constitutional Convention assembled 
in Lincoln in 1919. The purpose was to update the State constitution to 
reflect the monumental social, economic and political changes brought 
about by World War I. A number of bills were introduced that would have 
discriminated bitterly against Japanese immigrants. One would have 
prohibited aliens from owning land, inheriting farmland, or even 
leasing land for more than 1 year. Since the Japanese did not have the 
right to become naturalized citizens at that time, these laws would 
have excluded them entirely from farming, except as hired laborers.
  Mr. Kano left his farm in rural Nebraska and hurried off to the State 
capital, where he testified before the Judiciary Committee. ``In 
Nebraska,'' he told them, ``there are about 700 Japanese, including 
Nisei [American citizens born to Japanese immigrant parents]. There are 
about 200 Japanese farms, mostly raising sugar beets along the North 
Platte River. Nearly all are tenant farmers whose skill and hard work 
satisfies their landlords and the sugar company. Japanese living in 
towns or cities mostly operate cafes and restaurants, with the help of 
their employees. They are friendly and cooperative with their 
neighbors, sharing their joys and sorrows.'' Mr. Kano was successful in 
persuading the Nebraska Legislature to vote against the anti-Japanese 
bills, which went down in defeat.
  Several years later, Mr. Kano joined with Bishop George Allen Beecher 
to defeat a similar bill and came up with a compromise. Bishop Beecher, 
an Episcopalian, was obviously impressed by Hiram Kano because in 1923 
he descended on the Kano farmstead unannounced and asked Mr. Kano to 
serve as a missionary to the Japanese immigrants living in western 
Nebraska. Already a deeply committed Christian, though not an 
Episcopalian, Kano was profoundly moved; and in 1925, he left his farm 
and traveled to Mitchell, NE, to begin Bishop Beecher's missionary work 
among the Japanese.
  Kano was ordained Deacon in 1928 and continued in that order for 8 
years. He served as pastor of St. Mary's church in Mitchell and also 
served the Japanese mission in North Platte. For the next 12 years, 
Deacon Kano served as an agricultural consultant, English teacher, 
advocate, friend and pastor to the Japanese in the Platte Valley. In 
1936 he was ordained priest and continued his tireless ministry.
  On December 7, 1941, the Japanese Imperial Navy attacked Pearl Harbor 
in Hawaii. American reaction against Japanese immigrants was swift and 
harsh. Father Kano was arrested by agents of the Federal Bureau of 
Investigation that very afternoon on the steps of his church in North 
Platte.
  Despite the protests of their many friends and without regard for 
their exemplary behavior, the Japanese were severely treated and some 
even sent to prison camps. Father Kano spent time in five different 
camps. There he continued his ministry, calming the fears of his people 
and giving them strength through knowledge. Through what he called the 
``Internment University,'' he helped hundreds of Japanese Americans 
learn to read, speak, and write English. Following his release from 
custody, Father Kano returned to his mission with the church.
  It was not until the Walter-McCarran Act of 1952 that Father Kano, 
then 63 years old, could become a naturalized citizen. By then, he had 
worked 33 years in service to his country, his people, and his church.
  The Reverend Hiram Hisanori Kano died on October 24, 1988, at the age 
of 99. Each year, the Episcopal Church in Nebraska and in Colorado 
celebrates the life and ministry of Father Kano on the anniversary of 
his death. As a layman, Father Kano was a quiet, persevering warrior in 
the battle against the evils of racism. He was a champion for his 
people in the struggle for justice and peace, respected as he fought 
for the dignity of every human being.

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