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Friday, November 19, 2010

Judge Peter Sakai awarded Trailblazer Award by NAPABA


Judge Peter Sakai (photo with wife, Rachel) awarded Trailblazer Award by the NAPABA @ the Annual Convention in LA

The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association has awarded The Hon. Peter Sakai the prestigious Trailblazer Award this week, Nov 17th - 21st, during the annual convention. Judge Sakai will receive the award Friday at the NAPABA Trailblazer Award Reception at the JW Marriott Hotel in Los Angeles, CA.

“It is with great humility I travel to LA to receive this award. I respectfully receive it on behalf of the many who daily labor ardently in the family courts I oversee. It is not about me, but about them. They are the unsung heroes who help me improve the system to protect families and children. I am honored and very grateful for their commitment to our work and for their trust and support in me as their leader” stated Judge Sakai.

“Thank you to the NAPABA and their selection committee for giving this platform of protecting children, empowering families, and improving the system a national voice” added Judge Sakai.

After serving eleven years as Associate Judge of the Children’s Court he resigned in order to run for the bench vacated by Judge John Specia in the 225th District Court. Judge Peter Sakai serves as Judge of the 225th District Court, Committee Chair Judge of the Children’s Court, and Presiding Judge of the Family Drug Treatment Court in Bexar County, Texas. He was recently reelected to a second term.

The NAPABA Trailblazers Award recognizes the outstanding achievements, commitment, and leadership of lawyers who have paved the way for the advancement of other Asian Pacific American attorneys. As part of its annual convention, NAPABA honors a member from each of its nine membership regions who meets these criteria.


Judge Peter Sakai’s career commitment to improving the system for families and children has been recognized with honors to include:

• West Side Chamber of Commerce Doctoral Award
• The City Year San Antonio with the Lifetime of Idealism Award
• The Justice David Wellington Chew Award
• The prestigious Molly Gerold Human Rights Award from the South Texas Counseling Association
• The Frederick Douglass Emancipator Award from the African-American Reflections organization for his “commitment to freeing children from the oppression and danger of child abuse and neglect.”
• Child Advocates “Judge of the Year” Award
• A “Peter Sakai Day”, designated by the San Antonio Bar Association & Bexar County Commissioners Court
• US Congress “Angel in Adoption Award” in Washington, D.C.
• “Lone Star Proud for Kids Judge of the Year” at State CASA Conference in Dallas, Texas
• First Family “Advocate of the Year” by Methodist Health Care Ministries
• “Angels of Texas” from the San Antonio Police Officers Association
• “Guardian Angel” award from the Bexar County Deputy Sheriff’s Association
• The Milagritos “Amistad Award”
• The “National Spirit of Youth Award” by Girls Town and Boys Town, U.S.A. by Father Val Peter of Nebraska

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