PHOTO CAPTION: 2017 Chapter Board Members were installed by JACL National President Gary Mayeda. (Top Row) Councilmember James Toma, Amy Watanabe, Carole Yamakoshi, Sharon Kumagai, Ken Ota, Keith Kawamoto, (Bottom Row) JACL National President Gary Mayeda, James Yamamoto, Jean Shigematsu, John Saito, Jr.
Los Angeles, CA - On December 11, 2016, the Venice-West Los Angeles JACL chapter celebrated the official merger of the Venice-Culver and West Los Angeles chapters and installed the 2017 Board Officers.
Chapter President John Saito introduces Keynote Speaker, Hon. James Toma, Councilmember, City of West Covina.
Keynote speaker Councilmember James Toma of West Covina spoke on his personal journey to a career in public service and politics, and the role Japanese Americans and JACL have in the current political climate. Mr. Toma's mom is from Okinawa, Japan and his dad is a sansei from Hawaii, and previously served as Mayor for the City of West Covina, and has been a member of JACL for 20 years.
National JACL President Gary Mayeda shared highlights from National JACL and an outlook for the next year. Mr. Mayeda administered the oath and installed the 2017 officers of the newly merged chapter. The Venice-West LA JACL chapter also adopted the members of the disbanded Marina SCAN chapter.
Gary Mayeda, JACL National President, swears in the 2017 Officers.