Stuart Ishimaru Confirmed for EEO Commission

Fills the seat previously held by Paul Igasaki for a term to expire in July 2007

Washington, DC – Following a unanimous vote by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, Stuart Ishimaru’s nomination for a seat on the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) was confirmed by the Senate on October 31, 2003. As a new Commissioner, Mr. Ishimaru fills the seat previously held by Paul Igasaki for a term to expire in July 2007. Mr. Ishimaru was recommended for the seat on the EEOC by Democratic Leader Daschle in June, and the White House nominated Mr. Ishimaru earlier this month.  

The Japanese American Citizens League (JACL), the nation’s oldest and largest Asian Pacific American civil rights organization celebrating our 75th anniversary in 2004, hails the confirmation of Stuart Ishimaru as a victory for civil rights; thanks the Senate for this swift confirmation; and congratulates Mr. Ishimaru on his appointment.

"JACL extends our congratulations to Stuart Ishimaru on his confirmation to the EEOC and thanks the Senate for their swift action," commented JACL National President S. Floyd Mori. "We believe that Mr. Ishimaru will serve the nation with distinction as a Commissioner and we look forward to working with him in the coming years."

"Stuart Ishimaru brings years of experience and keen insight to the Commission and will be a strong voice for the civil rights community," added John Tateishi, JACL National Executive Director. "We are thrilled at his confirmation and thank the Democratic Leader Daschle, the White House and the Senate for their support of Commissioner Ishimaru."

Stuart Ishimaru, a long-time JACL member, is the only Asian Pacific American named to a federal civil rights commission. Mr. Ishimaru received his BA from the University of California, Berkeley (1980) and his JD from the National Law Center, George Washington University (1983). He has long years of federal and community service and in the field of civil rights, including: research assistant to U.S. Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians (1981); assistant to the director at the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law (1982-83); graduate course instructor in Equal Employment Opportunity at American University; assistant counsel to Committee on the Judiciary (1984-91) and professional staff to Committee on Armed Services (1991-93) for the U.S. House of Representatives; acting staff director for U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (1993-94); counsel to Assistant Attorney General (1994-99) and Deputy Assistant Attorney General (1999-2001) in the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice.

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  For more information about the JACL visit www.jacl.org. To join or donate to JACL, contact mbr@jacl.org.