HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 4b - Eto Park Proclamation WHEREAS, the Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo, in cooperation with San Luis Obispo County Farm
Supply, Inc. and the Community to Honor Those Who Made a Difference, created Eto Park in 2002 to
honor the extraordinary contributions of the Eto Family to San Luis Obispo County; and
WHEREAS, Eto Park is located on Brook Street - previously named Eto Street in honor of the Eto
family patriarch Tameji Eto - and is in the former heart of Japantown in San Luis Obispo; and
WHEREAS, in 1902, 18-year old Tameji Eto emigrated from Japan to California, settling in San
Luis Obispo County in 1914, where he organized the San Luis Obispo Vegetable Growers Association,
Eto Brothers Seed Company, and Pismo Pea Growers’ Association; helped to organize the Southern
Central Japanese Agricultural Association; was involved in the Co-Operative Farm Industry of Southern
California; created the Arroyo Grande Japanese Association; was a founder of the San Luis Obispo
Buddhist Temple; was instrumental in establishing the first telephone lines to Los Osos; and was
considered the leader of the Japanese community in San Luis Obispo; and
WHEREAS, Tameji Eto, his wife Take Eto, and their family along with over 800 Japanese American
citizens living in San Luis Obispo County, were interned during World War II, after the signing of
Executive Order 9066 by President Roosevelt in 1942, at which time Eto Street was renamed Brook
Street by a vote of the San Luis Obispo City Council; and
WHEREAS, Tameji Eto’s son-in-law, Leo Kikuchi, enlisted in the 442nd “Go For Broke” Regiment, the
all-Japanese-American volunteer Regiment and most decorated unit in U.S. Military history, and was
killed in action on Anzio Beach fighting for democracy and demonstrating the patriotism of Japanese-
Americans, while his wife, Susie Eto, their two young children, and the rest of the Eto family were
imprisoned; and
WHEREAS, the Etos and other Japanese American families, despite being forced from their homes
and businesses as a result of nationwide racism and intolerance, overcame this financial and personal
devastation; and
WHEREAS, following their imprisonment, the Etos continued to contribute to the vibrancy of
our area’s agricultural economy; and in the words of Tameji and Take Eto’s children, Kofuji, Toshiko,
Etsuko, Masaji, Mary, Sumuko (Susie), Nancy, and Grace, spent their lives helping others realize the
American Dream; and
NOW THEREFORE, to mark the 20th Anniversary of the creation and dedication of Eto Park, the
Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo has again partnered with San Luis Obispo County Farm Supply, Inc., along
with the City of San Luis Obispo, to restore Eto Park; reaffirm our deep gratitude to the Eto family
in particular, along with all members of the Japanese American community, past and present, for
their myriad contributions to the betterment of San Luis Obispo County; and recommit to the ideals
of tolerance, kindness, and compassion for all.
Mayor
May 12, 2022 ETO PARK