MICHAEL M.

HONDA COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

17TH DISTRICT, CALIFORNIA SUBCOMMITTEES:
WASHINGTON OFFICE: COMMERCE, JUSTICE, SCIENCE
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October 28, 2014
Mr. Travis Ishikawa
San Francisco Giants
AT&T Park
24 Willie Mays Plaza
San Francisco, CA 94107
Dear Travis,
As a fellow Japanese American, I wanted to let you know how proud I am of the post-season success of
you and your fellow San Francisco Giants. Please know that your performance pays tribute to the great
tradition of Japanese and Japanese American ballplayers who have shown their love of the game.
I was reminded of the role baseball has played in capturing the early Nikkei experience this weekend,
when a group of aging ballplayers held a reunion in San Jose to reminisce about how the game helped
them through one of the darker periods of American history the internment of 120,000 Japanese
Americans during World War II.
I along with your paternal grandparents spent time as a child behind those barbed wire fences in
Amache, Colorado. I remember the experience only through my parents stories. But Ive always tried to
honor that memory by battling for social justice and giving a voice to the voiceless just as you, Im sure,
give honor to your grandparents struggle with every swing of the bat on a national stage.
Travis, I wish you the best of luck, not only in this World Series but in all your endeavors both on and off
the field. Thank you for being such a tremendous role model for all Americans, but particularly those of
Japanese descent who find special meaning in your continued success.
Youre an inspiration to us all, especially when you, the Son of Seattle, slam those series-winning home
runs! Thank you for hitting The Shot Heard Round the Bay!
Go Giants!
Sincerely,
Michael M. Honda
Member of Congress
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