WASHINGTON, DC – Last week, Rep. Mike Honda (CA-15) received the prestigious President’s Award during the Asian American Justice Center’s (AAJC) American Courage Awards.  The award was presented to Congressman Honda by outgoing AAJC President and Executive Director, Karen K. Narasaki, for being a longtime ally and partner with the organization and the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community at large.

“I am truly honored to have received the distinguished President’s Award given by my long-time friend and renowned civil rights leader, Karen K. Narasaki,” said Rep. Honda.  “As Chair Emeritus and Immigration Taskforce Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, we are so fortunate to have organizations like AAJC to look to for their institutional knowledge and expertise of pressing issues affecting our community.  I also feel extremely privileged to receive this award during AAJC’s 20th Anniversary, as we celebrate two decades of AAJC continually advancing the civil and human rights of all AAPIs.”

Through his critical work on legislation such as the Reuniting Families Act, the DREAM Act, and the Strengthen and Unite Communities with Civics Education and English Development (SUCCEED) Act, Congressman Honda was given the President’s Award by Narasaki for exemplifying his dedication to advancing justice and equality for all.

“Congressman Michael Honda is a longtime ally of the Asian American Justice Center (AAJC), and an invaluable partner in setting forth a progressive legislative agenda that complements our program work,” said Narasaki.  “Congressman Honda has dedicated his life to public service and is lauded with a President’s Award for his work on education, civil rights, national service, immigration, transportation, the environment and high-tech issues.”

Other awardees that night included Wade Henderson, President and CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights; Jose Antonio Vargas, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and founder of Define American; and Stewart Kwoh, President and Executive Director of the Asian Pacific American Legal Center.  During his acceptance speech, Rep. Honda thanked Narasaki for her partnership with his office on immigration and civil rights issues, and let her know that she will be dearly missed and is truly leaving behind a lasting legacy.