Patti Hirahara was honored recently with a proclamation from the City of Anaheim for her work in preserving the city’s Japanese American legacy. Pictured at the ceremony (from left) are Anaheim City Council members Kris Murray, Lucille Kring, Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Jose Moreno, AUHSD student intern Tien Le from Magnolia High School, Hirahara, Denise Barnes, James Vanderbilt and Stephen Faessel. (Photo: Tom Edelblute, Anaheim Public Library)
Anaheim, Calif., resident Patti Hirahara was honored with a proclamation from the Anaheim City Council on June 12 for her continuing work to help preserve the history of Japanese Americans in the city of Anaheim.
In addition, Hirahara was also recognized by the city for her recent honor by the Washington State University Alumni Assn., which awarded her its Honorary Alumna Award, the most prestigious award given to nonalumni of WSU.
Hirahara became the first Japanese American to receive the WSU award in 52 years.
Hirahara has been working with the City of Anaheim since 1999 to create a pictorial legacy about Japanese American pioneers in Anaheim and has continued to support projects for 19 years.
On hand to congratulate Hirahara for her contributions were Anaheim City Council members Kris Murray, Lucille Kring, Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Jose Moreno, AUHSD Student intern Tien Le from Magnolia High School, Denise Barnes, James Vanderbilt and Stephen Faessel.
Tien is part of Anaheim’s “Innovative Mentoring Experience” program and is working with the Anaheim Public Library this summer on the city’s Japanese American Heritage oral history project. She was Hirahara’s special guest during the ceremony.
