Congressman Mike Honda Letter To SF Giants Travis Ishikawa

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travis and mikeCongressman Mike Honda Letter To SF Giants Travis Ishikawa

Hours away from what could become the Giant’s third World Series in five years, one local Congressman says the Giant’s post-season success carries tremendous significance – and not just for Bay Area fans.

Congressman Mike Honda of San Jose is a Japanese American who was interned at an Amache, Colorado Japanese Internment camps during World War II. He wrote a letter to the Giant’s Travis Ishikawa, also a Japanese American, congratulating him for his success on the field – and also thanking him for serving as an important role model.

“Thank you for being such a tremendous role model for all Americans, but particularly those of Japanese descent who find special meaning your continued success,” Honda wrote.

Baseball played a special role in helping lift the spirits of some of the 120,000 imprisoned Japanese Americans during one of the darkest periods in American history, Honda explained, making Ishikawa’s success on the field all the more significant.

“I’ve always tried to honor that memory by battling for social justice and giving a voice to the voiceless – just as you, I’m sure, give honor to your grandparents’ struggle with every swing of the bat on the national stage,” Honda said.

Lots of good stories coming out of this years’ World Series –this latest reminder of baseball’s important place in Japanese-American history is most definitely among them. Here’ the letter:

Letter to Travis Ishikawa 10.28.14 by Mike Honda

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