Rep. Dave Min displayed a photo of Mary Nomura celebrating her 100th birthday.
WASHINGTON — Rep. Dave Min (D-Costa Mesa) honored the life and legacy of Mary Kageyama Nomura (Sept. 29, 1925-April 6, 2026), the beloved “Songbird of Manzanar,” on the House floor on May 14.
“Born in Los Angeles in 1925, Mary had endured profound hardship from a young age, losing both of her parents and trying to help hold her family together during unimaginable uncertainty,” Min said. “At just 15 years of age, she and her siblings were incarcerated at the Japanese American internment camp at Manzanar during World War II.
“Yet even during one of the darkest chapters of American history, Mary brought light through her music. Her remarkable voice lifted spirits throughout the camp and earned her the enduring nickname ‘the Songbird of Manzanar.’ Through song she gave comfort, hope and humanity to those around her.
“Mary later built a beautiful life with her husband, Shiro Nomura, raising five children and helping establish a thriving family business in Orange County. Though she never pursued fame or riches, she continued sharing her extraordinary talent with communities across California and Japan for decades.
“Mary Nomura’s life is a testament to resilience, grace and the power of art to heal and unite us. May we honor her memory by preserving the stories of those who endured injustice and by ensuring that their voices are never forgotten.”