By JACL Staff
Washington, D.C. – JACL National is now accepting applications for the 2015 Mike M. Masaoka Congressional Fellowship. Sponsored by Southwest Airlines, the Masaoka Fellowship is designed to develop leaders for public service, particularly at the national level, and provides Fellows the unique opportunity to be placed in a Congressional office where they gain firsthand knowledge of policy creation.
The Mike M. Masaoka Fellowship Fund was established in 1988 to honor Mike M. Masaoka for a lifetime of public service to the JACL and the nation. Masaoka served as JACL’s national secretary, field executive, national legislative director of the JACL’s Anti-Discrimination Committee, and the JACL Washington, D.C. Representative, working tirelessly to advance the cause of Japanese Americans during difficult times in our history. He was instrumental in the formation of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and in abolishing many discriminatory laws against Asian Americans. Masaoka passed away in 1991.
The Fellowship lasts for a minimum of six months and is housed in the D.C. office of a member of the U.S. Senate or the U.S. House of Representatives. The length of the Fellowship is decided upon by the selected Fellow and by the Congressional office. Specific duties in the office vary depending on the Congressional office and on the Fellow’s experience and knowledge of Congressional functions. The Masaoka Fellow will receive a stipend of $3,000 per month.
Candidates must be U.S. citizens, graduating college seniors or students in graduate or professional programs, and JACL members. Preference will be given to those who have demonstrated a commitment to Asian American issues, particularly those affecting the Japanese American community. Communication skills, particularly in writing, are important. A completed application form and one letter of reference must be submitted to the National JACL at policy@jacl.org by 6pm EST on March 1st, 2015. Once applications have been reviewed, finalists will be notified for an interview date. Those selected will begin their fellowship in May or June 2015. Please contact policy@jacl.org with any questions.
Please click here for the 2015 Mike M. Masaoka Congressional Fellowship.
