The Japanese American Citizens League (JACL), the nation's oldest and largest Asian American civil and human rights organization, is now accepting applications for the 2013-2014 JACL Mike M. Masaoka Congressional Fellowship.

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 was the JACL's national secretary, field executive, national legislative director of the JACL's Anti-Discrimination Committee, and the JACL Washington, D.C. Representative. He worked 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 for the abolition of many discriminatory laws against Asian Americans. Mike M. Masaoka passed away in 1991.

The Masaoka Fellowship is designed to develop leaders for public service, particularly at the national level. The JACL Masaoka Fellow will be placed in the Washington, D.C. Congressional office of a member of the U.S. House of Representatives or the U.S. Senate for a minimum period of six months. The Masaoka Fellowship provides the opportunity to experience being part of the process that enables a Member of Congress to serve not only his or her own district, but the entire country as a legislator.

Applicants must be college graduates and current members of the JACL. Completed application and letter of recommendation must be submitted to the JACL Washington DC office by COB on Friday, May 19, 2013 via e-mail to inouyefellow@jacl.org. To download the application and for more information, please visit the JACL website, www.jacl.org.