69th OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--1997 Regular Session

NOTE:  Matter within  { +  braces and plus signs + } in an
amended section is new. Matter within  { -  braces and minus
signs - } is existing law to be omitted. New sections are within
 { +  braces and plus signs + } .

 LC 4386

                     Senate Joint Memorial 8

Sponsored by Senator LEONARD; Senators BAKER, BROWN, BURDICK,
  DUKES, DUNCAN, GORDLY, HAMBY, HANNON, LIM, TIMMS, TROW, YIH,
  Representatives BECK, BOWMAN, CARPENTER, CARTER, CORCORAN,
  COURTNEY, EDWARDS, EIGHMEY, FAHEY, GARDNER, HILL, JENSON,
  JONES, LEHMAN, LOKAN, MARKHAM, MINNIS, MONTGOMERY, OAKLEY,
  PROZANSKI, ROBERTS, SCHRADER, SHETTERLY, SHIELDS, SOWA, STARR,
  STROBECK, TAYLOR, THOMPSON, UHERBELAU, WOOTEN


                             SUMMARY

The following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the
measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject to
consideration by the Legislative Assembly. It is an editor's
brief statement of the essential features of the measure as
introduced.

  In memoriam: William Sumio Naito.

                         JOINT MEMORIAL
  Whereas William S. 'Bill' Naito fell victim to an aggressive
cancer, eight days after having been diagnosed, on May 8, 1996,
at the age of 70; and
  Whereas Bill Naito's optimistic attitude, unyielding
determination and trademark smile were personality traits of a
unique and dynamic individual who took great pleasure in his work
and in the advancement and promotion of the city of Portland; and
  Whereas Bill Naito, born and raised in Portland, was forced to
leave the city because of his Japanese ancestry during World War
II to avoid internment, and this established his long-standing
loyalty to people and businesses who helped Japanese-Americans
during the war and recently prompted him to devote himself to the
creation of the Japanese American Historical Plaza in Tom McCall
Waterfront Park; and
  Whereas during World War II, Bill Naito enlisted in the Army
and served in the military intelligence service as a translator
in Japan after the war, which provided him the opportunity to
study economics at Reed College and the University of Chicago on
the GI Bill; and
  Whereas Bill Naito returned to Portland after marrying his
beloved wife, Micki, where he raised a family and worked with his
brother, Sam, in a small family business that they built into a
thriving import and retail operation, which allowed subsequent
lucrative property development endeavors; and
  Whereas Bill Naito successfully pursued some of the most daring
ventures and redevelopment projects in Portland, by mixing his
personal style and shrewd business skills to prosper financially
while fulfilling his passion to improve his community; and
  Whereas Bill Naito was a man of action, with boundless
creativity and energy, who proved time and time again that if he
wanted something bad enough, he could make just about anything
happen; and
  Whereas Bill Naito was a cultural philanthropist who was
generous with his time and money, devoting endless hours to
numerous volunteer boards and organizations, while always
remaining a humble, fair-minded and amicable friend to his fellow
Portlanders; and
  Whereas aside from his honors, awards and business successes,
Bill Naito was a man who was truly and honestly excited by the
opportunity to improve his community, help his fellow citizens
and to make his part of the world into something special; and
  Whereas Bill Naito has become a part of Portland's history and
the example he set has left a lasting impression and has enriched
the city with a legacy that will live on for many decades to
come; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Legislative Assembly of the State of
  Oregon:
  That we, the members of the Sixty-ninth Legislative Assembly,
mourn the passing and honor the memory of visionary civic leader
Bill Naito and gratefully acknowledge his contributions to
Portland and the State of Oregon through the community awareness,
public concern and vigilant stewardship he espoused and displayed
in his words and actions; and be it further
  Resolved, That a copy of this memorial be presented to his
wife, daughter and three sons, as an expression of the esteem in
which we hold the memory of her husband and their father.
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