Tanaka, Henry Thomas, 1922-

National president of the Japanese American Citizens' League, and leader in Japanese American affairs in Cleveland, Ohio.

From the description of Papers, Series II, 1962-1977, bulk 1972-1977. (Rhinelander District Library). WorldCat record id: 18131192

Henry Thomas Tanaka (1922-2006) was born on December 10, 1922 in Salem, Oregon, of immigrant parents, Frank and Maki Tanaka, from Kyushu, Japan. In 1940 he enrolled in Willamette University in Salem where he remained until 1942 when the Tanaka family was evacuated to the relocation camp at Tule Lake in northern California. The following year he was allowed to register at Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana, where he received a B. A. in 1944.

During World War II, the Cleveland (Ohio) Resettlement Committee agreed to receive the Japanese-Americans from the relocation camps. The Tanaka family came to Cleveland in 1944 along with four thousand others from the camps. From 1945 to 1946, Henry Tanaka served in the United States Medical Corps. In 1947, he enrolled as a medical student at Western Reserve University, but transferred to the School of Applied Social Sciences from which he received an M. S. in Social Administration in 1951.

From 1951 to 1960, Henry Tanaka served as a director of various social agencies in the Greater Cleveland area. In 1960, he was appointed director of Mental Health Rehabilitation and Research, Inc. (Hill House). Throughout his years in Cleveland he was active in the Japanese-American Citizens League. His career in this organization culminated in his election as President of the national Japanese-American Citizens League from 1970-1974.

The Japanese-American citizens League (JACL) in an organization which was founded by young Nisei (second generation Japanese-Americans) in 1932. Its purpose is to preserve Japanese culture and to advocate for civil rights for minority groups. During World War II, the JACL negotiated with the West Coast military command on the issue of the Japanese evacuation from that area. Its aim was to protect the Japanese-American community. In 1932, it was headquartered in Seattle, Washington, but moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, during World War II. Its offices are currently located in San Francisco, California. The JACL continues to address itself to seeking equitable reparations for tangible and psychological losses suffered by the Japanese-Americans as a result of the relocation program; an effort which it began as early as 1948. The organization does, however, serve a wider constituency as a civil rights/human rights advocate representing minority groups. JACL members have, for instance, formed a coalition with other Asian-Americans to address racial stereotyping and discrimination. The organization consists of three levels: national, regional districts, and local chapters.

JACL's focus at the regional and local levels reflects developments nationwide. It fosters relationships with members of Congress in order to promote the interests of the Japanese-American community. It also works with other Asian groups on political and educational concerns. The Cleveland chapter has participated in similar activities.

From the guide to the Henry Thomas Tanaka Photographs, 1950-1970, (Western Reserve Historical Society)

Henry T. Tanaka (1922-2006): See the finding aid for MS 3680 for a brief biography of this individual.

Henry Thomas Tanaka (1922-2006) was born on December 10, 1922 in Salem, Oregon, of immigrant parents, Frank and Maki Tanaka, from Kyushu, Japan. In 1940 he enrolled in Willamette University in Salem where he remained until 1942 when the Tanaka family was evacuated to the relocation camp at Tule Lake in northern California. The following year he was allowed to register at Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana, where he received a B. A. in 1944.

During World War II, the Cleveland (Ohio) Resettlement Committee agreed to receive the Japanese-Americans from the relocation camps. The Tanaka family came to Cleveland in 1944 along with four thousand others from the camps. From 1945 to 1946, Henry Tanaka served in the United States Medical Corps. In 1947, he enrolled as a medical student at Western Reserve University, but transferred to the School of Applied Social Sciences from which he received an M. S. in Social Administration in 1951.

From 1951 to 1960, Henry Tanaka served as a director of various social agencies in the Greater Cleveland area. In 1960, he was appointed director of Mental Health Rehabilitation and Research, Inc. (Hill House). Throughout his years in Cleveland he was active in the Japanese-American Citizens League. His career in this organization culminated in his election as President of the national Japanese-American Citizens League from 1970-1974.

The Japanese-American citizens League (JACL) in an organization which was founded by young Nisei (second generation Japanese-Americans) in 1932. Its purpose is to preserve Japanese culture and to advocate for civil rights for minority groups. During World War II, the JACL negotiated with the West Coast military command on the issue of the Japanese evacuation from that area. Its aim was to protect the Japanese-American community. In 1932, it was headquartered in Seattle, Washington, but moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, during World War II. Its offices are currently located in San Francisco, California. The JACL continues to address itself to seeking equitable reparations for tangible and psychological losses suffered by the Japanese-Americans as a result of the relocation program; an effort which it began as early as 1948. The organization does, however, serve a wider constituency as a civil rights/human rights advocate representing minority groups. JACL members have, for instance, formed a coalition with other Asian-Americans to address racial stereotyping and discrimination. The organization consists of three levels: national, regional districts, and local chapters.

JACL's focus at the regional and local levels reflects developments nationwide. It fosters relationships with members of Congress in order to promote the interests of the Japanese-American community. It also works with other Asian groups on political and educational concerns. The Cleveland chapter has participated in similar activities.

click here to view the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History entry for the Japanese immigrant community of Cleveland, Ohio

From the guide to the Henry Thomas Tanaka Papers, Series II, 1962-1977, 1972-1977, (Western Reserve Historical Society)