State Assembly Adjourned in Nakanishi’s Memory

SACRAMENTO — Assemblymember Evan Low (D-Campbell) adjourned the State Assembly’s April 4 session in memory of noted scholar Don Nakanishi, who passed away on March 21 at the age of 66.

Assemblymember Evan Low

“Dr. Nakanishi was well known as a UCLA professor of over 35 years,” said Low. “Most especially he was nationally recognized for pioneering Asian American studies and ethnic studies.

“Nakanishi was the first scholar to demonstrate that Asian Americans, despite advanced educational levels and income that are usually associated with political participation, had actually had very low levels of registration and voting.

“He began to compile in 1976 a list of Asian American officials across the country, thereby launching the ‘National Asian (Pacific) American Political Almanac,’ which is now in its 13th edition.

“He is survived by his wife Marsha, who has recently retired from the CSU system, and their son Thomas. He is also survived by nieces, nephews and other relatives.”