NORMAN MINETA, GEORGE TAKEI TO CONVERSE ON GROWING UP JA

Two of the most distinguished and widely-recognized Japanese Americans, Norman Y. Mineta and George Takei, will have a frank, behind-the-scenes discussion about growing up before and after World War II, the challenges of entering careers in the public eye, and what it took to arrive at difficult decisions in their personal and professional lives in a special fundraising event at the Japanese American National Museum on Saturday, October 24, beginning at 2 p.m.

"Conversations with Norman Mineta and George Takei" is the rare opportunity to listen in on a dialogue between two Asian American pioneers in politics and entertainment, respectively. Both men were young boys when they were unlawfully forced by the government to leave their homes with their families to live in domestic concentration camps during World War II. Yet, despite the stigma of racism prevalent before, during and after the war, both have achieved remarkable success in arenas where public perception often determines opportunity.

Mineta was among the first Japanese Americans to attain public office at many different levels of government. He became the first Nikkei to serve as mayor of a major U.S. mainland city (San Jose) in 1971 and then became a member of Congress in 1974, where he served for two decades. After moving to the private sector, he went back into public service when President Clinton nominated him as Secretary of Commerce in 2000, the first Asian American to serve at the Cabinet level. He made history again when President George W. Bush chose him as his Secretary of Transportation, a position he held longer than any previous individual. Because of that, Mineta was faced with the biggest challenge of his career on September 11th.

Takei is best known as one of the original cast of the iconic television and movie series, "Star Trek", appearing as helmsman Hikaru Sulu beginning in 1966 for three seasons, and then appearing in six feature films. A veteran of stage, television and films, Takei has been active in many areas, including as a writer, author, businessman and community activist. In 2005, Takei publicly announced that he was gay and in 2008, he married Brad Altman.

Mineta and Takei will discuss how they were able to achieve success in their careers, how they faced up to the biggest obstacles in their lives, and how their upbringing as Japanese Americans played, and continues to play, a role in their lives. Following the conversation will be a short question-and-answer period.

"We are extremely grateful to have George and Norm as part of this new Japanese American National Museum series," explained National Museum President and CEO Akemi Kikumura Yano. "Besides being long-time supporters of the Museum, they have been role models for our community and our country. To read about Norm’s account of that crucial day on 9/11 is one thing, but to hear him describe the situation is getting a first-hand account of history. The same is true with George and his life. This once-in-lifetime event is a perfect chance for young people to better understand what history can teach us directly from two of our most prominent individuals."

To that end, the National Museum is seeking sponsors at the $10,000, $5,000 and $2,500 level, which would help subsidize seats for student and provide support for its ongoing educational programs and outreach. 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. For more information on this event or 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.

The Japanese American National Museum is the largest museum in the United States dedicated to sharing the experience of Americans of Japanese ancestry. The mission of the Japanese American National Museum is to promote understanding and appreciation of America’s ethnic and cultural diversity by sharing the Japanese American experience.