George Nakano Theatre

George Nakano's 21 years in public service included almost 15 years on the Torrance City Council and six years in the State Legislature. He has the distinction of being the first minority elected to the Torrance City Council in 1984 and the first Torrance resident elected to the California State Assembly in 1998.

George Nakano made significant contributions to the City including initiating the Graffiti Abatement Program in 1988, establishing the Office of Economic Development in 1992, and in the same year, successfully keeping the City's Assembly district lines unified. In 1989, he secured private funds to develop the Japanese Pine Wind Garden in the Torrance Cultural Arts Center and state grants for the Veterans Memorial Wall and for the theater that now bears his name. His dedication and commitment to the enrichment of the community has greatly enhanced the quality of life in Torrance.