Mike M. Masaoka Congressional Fellowship
Overview
The Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) established the Mike M. Masaoka Fellowship Fund in 1988 to honor Mike M. Masaoka (1915-1991) for his lifetime achievement of outstanding public service in promoting justice, civil rights and human dignity. For Japanese Americans and the JACL, this service has been of unique importance. He was JACL's national secretary and field executive (1941-43, 1945-46), national legislative director of JACL's Anti-Discrimination Committee (1946-52) and the JACL Washington representative (1952-1972). He worked tirelessly to advance the cause of Japanese Americans through crucial times, when supporters were few and financing was scarce.
During his JACL tenure, Masaoka was the dominant force behind the passage of laws that permitted citizenship for the Issei and the repeal of many local and national laws that discriminated against those of Japanese ancestry. After his formal ties with JACL had ended, he remained actively committed to the Japanese American community and the goals of JACL.
The Fund and Program
The major purpose of the Fund is to develop leaders for public service. The Mike M. Masaoka Congressional Fellow serves for approximately 3 months (September-December or February-May) in the Washington, DC office of a member of Congress in either the U.S. House of Representatives or the U.S. Senate. The Member of Congress and the award recipient will select the term during which the Fellowship will take place. The stipend for the Fellowship is currently $10,000. The Fellow will be involved in a variety of tasks, ranging from substantive legislative duties to the day to day office routine. The Fellow will be exposed to all facets of the work of the Representative or Senator and his/her staff. Precise duties will depend on the Member of Congress with whom the Fellow is placed and on the Fellow's level of experience with and knowledge of the legislative process.
The program will provide an opportunity for the Fellow to understand the importance of public service at the national level. The Fellow will also gain an inside perspective of how the U.S. Congress functions as well as be a part of the process that enables a Member of Congress to serve not only his/her own district but also the entire country as a legislator.
Eligibility
Candidates must be U.S. citizens who are graduating college seniors or students in graduate or professional programs and a member of the JACL. Preference will be given to those who have demonstrated a commitment to Asian American issues, particularly those affecting the Japanese American community. Communication skills, especially in writing, are important.
Guidelines
A completed application form and a letter of reference must be received by the JACL National Headquarters by April 1 of any given year. A committee of the Board of Trustees of the Congressional Fellowship Fund will select the finalists, based on the application and references. Finalists will be interviewed and the winner will be named by July 1st. *Note - College transcripts are no longer required.
Mike M. Masaoka Fellowship Application
Word Format | PDF Format
Submit application and letter of reference to:
Japanese American Citizens League
Mike M. Masaoka Fellowship
1828 L Street NW, Suite 802
Washington, D.C. 20036