WELCOME: NEW YORK CHAPTER OF THE JACL

The New York Chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) is based in New York. It sustains an active membership of over 200 chapter members from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and other states as well as internationally involved in social, cultural and community enrichment.

The JACL was founded in 1929 to fight discrimination against people of Japanese ancestry. The founders of the JACL believed that by taking an active role in shaping their destinies, affirming their citizenship, and claiming their rights as Americans, they could improve the quality of life for current and future generations of Japanese Americans.

The JACL's mission is to advocate for the civil and human rights of Japanese Americans and others, and to educate about and preserve the cultural heritage and values of Japanese Americans.

JACL NEW YORK CHAPTER CONSTITUTION (PDF file)

BOARD MEMBERS

Aileen Etsuko Yamaguchi - President -

Aileen Etsuko Yamaguchi was born and raised in Turlock, California youngest of 9 siblings. Incarcerated in Merced Assembly Center & Granada Amache concentration camp. Education: San Jose State College with degree in Occupational Therapy, specialization psychiatry. University of Hawaii School of Public Health-M.P.H in International Health. Employment: California (Stockton, San Mateo); New York (Montefiore Hospital); Tokyo&Osaka (began 3rd & 4th O.T. colleges); Kokura, Kyushu (Instructor/Consultant) Kyushu College of Rehabilitation. On Lok Senior Day Center (San Francisco). Current: President of NY Chapter JACL; Japanese American Association of NY, Inc. (Board member, Committee on Aging, Senior Program: consultant).

Lillian Kimura - Vice President -

Lillian Kimura has been a member of JACL since 1955. She has held a number of leadership positions on the local, district, national levels. She has the distinction of having served as governor of two District Councils Midwest & Eastern. In 1992, she was elected the first woman president of the national organization. She continues today as vise governor of EDC and vice president and treasurer of the New York chapter.

Stanley Kanzaki

Born in San Fancisco's Japantown to Issei parents spent the early years during WW II in Tanforan and Topaz Concentration Camps.  After release the family moved to New York.  After high school left college and drafted into the US Army and served in the Military Intelligence unit in Korea.  Thereafter upon receiving a BA from Stetson University, FL., rejoined the army as an officer.  Trained as a military parachutist and in the Civil Affairs/Military Government served in Munich, Germany.  Upon receiving a NYC scholarship enrolled at Columbia University School of Social Work and received a MSSW.  Employed with the NYC Human Resources Administration as a social worker and later as consultant.  Upon retirement took up writing and got published first novel "The Issei Prisoners of the San Pedro Internment Center" (Vantage Press).  Now working on a second novel. 

Seiichi Shinomiya

Seiichi Shinomiya has been a board member since 2007.  He was born in Kumamoto, and grew up in Fukuoka, Japan.  He moved to Los Angeles as a student, and has lived in LA, Chicago, and in Connecticut.  He presently works at a bank as a private banker.  He is married to Joyce, a sansei, with two sons: one lives and works in the Detroit area, and the other serves the U.S. Army. 

James Kumpel

Mr. Kumpel is an American of Japanese, German, English, and Irish heritage.  His grandfather was one of the 120,000 Japanese Americans and residents who were incarcerated in American concentration camps during World War II.  During the 1980s, Mr. Kumpel wrote various articles, letters to the editor, and reports on the wartime injustice.  In 1988, he worked as a congressional intern in Washington DC and witnessed the House passage of redress legislation, which was signed into law by President Ronald Reagan.  Mr. Kumpel was a recipient of New York Chapter and National JACL scholarships from 1986-1988.  He currently serves on the Board of the New York Chapter of the JACL. Following graduation from Cornell University, Mr. Kumpel worked with IBM and Morgan Stanley in Japan and the Asia Pacific region.  After graduating from Fuqua's School of Business at Duke University, Mr. Kumpel embarked on a career as a healthcare services equity research analyst at Raymond James and Friedman Billings Ramsey.  He is currently a Managing Director of Healthcare Research at Madison Williams.  Mr. Kumpel is a Chartered Financial Analyst.

Hiroko Shono-Cheng

JACL national scholarship recipient. Joined JACL and became a board member in 2008. She designs bilingual JACL event flyers. Graduated International Center of Photography and currently working as a freelance photographer. hirokophotography.com

Kaz Yamaguchi

Kazuo Yamaguchi was born at Long Island City, NY. Family:wife Emi, two grown children, and grandchildren. Business:Ozone Park Nursery; Military:1944-1946: 442nd &Military Intelligence Services (MIS)/Current: Volunteer at Northport Veterans Administration Hospital; Paramus Veterans Home. Board resource person for congressional Gold Medal Bill presentation next year at the White House.