PROF. MITCHELL MAKI TO FACILITATE MINETA-TAKEI CONVERSATION OCT. 24

Professor Mitchell Maki will facilitate the conversation between former Secretary of Transportation Norman Y Mineta and actor/activist George Takei at a special fundraising event organized by the Japanese American National Museum and set for its Democracy Forum on Saturday, October 24, beginning at 2 p.m.

"Conversations with Norman Mineta and George Takei" is a new National Museum series created to provide a vehicle through which prominent and accomplished individuals have the opportunity to relate their personal stories in a less formal setting through peer-to-peer dialogues. It encourages the participants to ask questions of each other and relate their experiences and insights.

Mineta and Takei both experienced World War II as young boys, forced with their families away from their homes and into domestic concentration camps by the U.S. government. Both returned to the West Coast after the war and eventually pursued careers in the public arena. Mineta became the first mayor of a major U.S. city (San Jose) and then a Congressman for two decades. He was named the first Asian American to a Cabinet when President Clinton nominated him as Secretary of Commerce. He made history when President Bush nominated as his Secretary of Transportation, a position Mineta held until 2006.

Takei attended college at the behest of his parents, but sought opportunities as an actor. His breakthrough came when he was cast as helmsman Hikaru Sulu on the original "Star Trek" television series and appeared in six subsequent feature films as well. Takei continues to be a familiar face in films and on television, including a recurring role on NBC’s "Heroes". A community activist, Takei ran for a Los Angeles City Council seat in 1973, served on the local RTD Board and has worked on improving U.S.-Japan relations.

Professor Maki is the dean of the College of Professional Studies at California State University, Dominguez Hills and co-author with two others of the book, Achieving the Impossible Dream: How Japanese Americans Obtained Redress, which described the events leading up the passage of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988. He served as conference host at two National Museum conferences: "Camp Connections: A Conversation About Civil Rights and Social Justice in Arkansas" held in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 2004; and, "Whose America? Who’s American? Diversity, Civil Liberties, and Social Justice" in Denver, Colorado in 2008. He will introduce both Mineta and Takei and will facilitate the question and answer period.

This event is a fundraiser for the Japanese American National Museum. Presenting Sponsor is Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., Inc. and the reception hosts are Sumi and Bill Hughes. Reception sponsors are Kirin and Hakutsuru Sake. The Rafu Shimpo is the media sponsor. Premium reserve ticket packages are available at $1,000, $500 and $250 for two including a special gift and invitations to the private reception immediately following the program. General seating is available at $75 for National Museum members and $100 for non-members. Space is limited; RSVP required by October 16th.

To reserve a seat, go to http://www.janm.org/static/media/events/2009/JANM_Oct24_Mineta-Takei-sponsor-form.pdf, or call the Japanese American National Museum at (213) 830-5669.