Remembering Jimmie Sakamoto, and Masaoka before the Senate

Vol. 41, No. 24, December 9, 1955. 8 pages. View this issue

The death of Jimmie Sakamoto filled this eight-page issue. A blind former newspaperman and JACL national president, he was struck and killed by an automobile in Seattle on Dec. 3. Douglass Welch recounted his life as a boxer and as publisher of the Japanese American Courier. Masao W. Satow and Budd Fukei described the funeral, and Bill Hosokawa, Royal Brougham and Togo Tanaka added their own tributes. Harry K. Honda explained how the paper reworked its holiday issue after the news arrived.

Also on the front page, Mike Masaoka testified before the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration and Naturalization about the Walter-McCarran Act and equal treatment for Asian nations. Inside are chapter news from Detroit, Fowler, Dayton, Berkeley and other communities, the election of Robert Horiuchi as Mountain-Plains chairman, and Larry S. Tajiri’s column on the opera singer Tomiko Kanazawa.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

  • Masaoka testifies before Senate subcommittee, by Mike Masaoka, page 1. Mike Masaoka, JACL Washington representative, testified before the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration and Naturalization on Dec. 1. He defended JACL’s endorsement of the Walter-McCarran Act while urging that Asian nations receive equal treatment in any revision.
  • From the Frying Pan: Goes with a smile, by Bill Hosokawa, page 2. Hosokawa recounts learning of Jimmie Sakamoto’s death by telegram and reflects on his friendship and devotion to the JACL. He praises Misao Sakamoto’s strength and Jimmie’s courage.
  • Fighter for unchampioned, page 2. A tribute to Jimmie Sakamoto as an athlete and journalist who fought for Nisei rights and sportsmanship. The writer recalls his forceful editorial style at the Japanese American Courier.
  • California memories, page 4. A Chicago writer recounts a two-week vacation in Southern California, visiting the JACL and Pacific Citizen offices and Disneyland. The column reflects on the valuable service chapters provide by sending news to the PC office.
  • Hanging out: Monday’s wash, by Royal Brougham, page 4. Brougham reflects on Jimmie Sakamoto’s life, from his touchdown days at Franklin High to his boxing career and later blindness. He laments the careless exploitation the young boxer suffered.
  • Sakamoto story, by Harry K. Honda, page 5. The editor describes the last-minute scramble to update the holiday issue after news of Jimmie Sakamoto’s death arrived. He notes the planned profile by Bill Hosokawa and tributes gathered from friends across the country.
  • Griping is for the soul, page 6. A humorous column describes the author’s frustration over room arrangements at the Central California District Council convention in Fresno. The writer complains about roommate snoring and the social awkwardness it creates.
  • Nisei prima donna, by Larry S. Tajiri, page 8. Tomiko Kanazawa received an ovation for her performance as Cho-Cho-San with the Greater Denver Opera Association. The column profiles her international career and continuing concern for Japanese American welfare.

Obituaries

  • Blind Jimmie Sakamoto victim of auto death, by Douglass Welch, page 1. Jimmie Sakamoto, blind former newspaperman and JACL national president, was struck and killed by an automobile in Seattle on Dec. 3. Welch recounts his life as a boxer, publisher of the Japanese American Courier, and devoted community leader.
  • Laid to final rest with JACL diamond-studded pin, by Masao W. Satow, page 1. Satow describes the funeral tribute to Jimmie Sakamoto, who was buried wearing his JACL past president pin. He emphasizes Sakamoto’s selfless devotion to the organization and the Nisei cause.
  • Simplicity marks Sakamoto funeral, by Budd Fukei, page 1. The requiem Mass for Jimmie Sakamoto at the Church of the Immaculate Conception was simple and solemn. Friends and JACL leaders gathered to bid farewell to the former national president.
  • Ted T. Nakamura, 43, Payette, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Ted T. Nakamura, a Tacoma-born insurance manager and founding president of the Tacoma JACL chapter, died of a heart attack in Payette. He had also published the first all-English Japanese American newspaper in the United States.
  • Dateline Northwest: Was many things, by Budd & Arlene Fukei, page 4. A profile of Jimmie Sakamoto describing his athletic youth, boxing career, and founding of the Japanese American Courier. The piece portrays him as a fighter for Americanism, fair play, and the Nisei.
  • Sakamoto story continued: eulogies, by Togo Tanaka, page 5. Togo Tanaka offers a personal eulogy recalling his meetings with Jimmie Sakamoto as a teacher and friend. He praises Sakamoto’s wisdom and his writing on Nisei conduct in wartime.

Community

  • Driver not held; never saw Jimmie who was crossing street, police told, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Police reported the driver of the car that struck Jimmie Sakamoto said he never saw the pedestrian in early morning darkness. The driver was not held, and the accident occurred as Sakamoto walked to work.
  • Detroit’s daikon sale nets $75 for chapter, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Detroit JACL raised $75 through a daikon radish sale donated by a local store owner. Volunteers harvested and sold the crop to benefit the chapter.
  • Racial prejudice eases against Orientals, Nisei Buddhist, by James K. Nesbitt, page 2. News columnist James K. Nesbitt reports that racial prejudice against Canadians of Japanese, Chinese, and East Indian ancestry is declining in British Columbia. He notes that these groups are now accepted in most professions.
  • Fowler chapter honored at C. of C. post-fair fete, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Some 60 Fowler JACLers were honored by the local chamber of commerce for their help with a Fresno District Fair booth. Chapter president Tom Shirakawa received a trophy for outstanding community service.
  • Florin JACL election meeting slated Dec. 14, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Florin JACL will hold its election meeting Dec. 14 with a summary of the past year’s activities. The chapter will also show a film about Japan.
  • Dayton JACL elects Dr. Nakauchi president, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Dr. Mark M. Nakauchi was elected president of the Dayton JACL for 1956. The chapter will hold a Christmas party Dec. 18 at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Yoshihara.
  • Santa Barbara president, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Tom Hirashima was re-elected president of the Santa Barbara JACL. The chapter also planned a New Year’s Eve dance with neighboring JACL groups.
  • Eden Township chapter Christmas fete slated, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Eden Township JACL will host its eighth annual Christmas party for children Dec. 10 at San Lorenzo Village School. Santa’s visit and toy distribution are planned.
  • Berkeley to elect new board members, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Berkeley JACL will elect new board members at a Dec. 9 meeting. A proposed amendment would increase the number of directors.
  • Sonoma County auxiliary to ratify constitution, prepare Santa party, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Sonoma County JACL auxiliary will present its constitution for membership ratification and plan a community Christmas party. Auxiliary officers will be installed at a New Year party.
  • Richmond-El Cerrito JACL elections, membership drive mooted by board, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Richmond-El Cerrito JACL board considered nominees for its 1956 cabinet and planned a movie night. A membership campaign aims to exceed last year’s record of 148 new members.
  • Watsonville C. of C., by P.C. Staff, page 5. Bill Kanemasa, an active JACLer and Nisei leader, was chosen third vice-president of the Watsonville Chamber of Commerce.
  • Sansei gridders very actively completed a most successful year, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Several Nisei players on the Livingston High School football teams had successful seasons. Yo Shibata and Gordon Nagai were noted for their play.
  • Jr. JACL project, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The Salt Lake City Jr. JACL held a movie benefit at the local Buddhist church to raise funds for future projects. The event was held Dec. 2-3.

Military & Veterans

  • Nisei Buddhist minister returns from Japan, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Rev. Art Takemoto, the first Nisei to complete Buddhist ministry training in the postwar years, returned from Japan aboard the Nikko Maru. He has been assigned to the Los Angeles Buddhist church system.

JACL

  • Sequoia JACL anxious for workshop on other subjects, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Sequoia JACL junior workshop on citizenship drew good attendance and members voted to hold future workshops on other subjects. Topics discussed included voting obligations, programming, and leadership.
  • Robert Horiuchi of Denver elected Mountain-Plains chairman, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Robert M. Horiuchi of Denver was elected chairman of the Mountain-Plains JACL district council for 1956-57. Vice-chairmen, secretary, treasurer, and historian were also named, and the 1956 convention will be held in Omaha.
  • Board of governors nominees for S.F. told, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Nominees for the 1956 San Francisco JACL cabinet were announced at the November general meeting. Members also approved a change in the election procedure to stagger two-year board terms.

National

  • White House Conference on Education, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. The White House Conference on Education concluded after thirty hours of meetings with delegates from all states and territories. The article criticizes how professional educators dominated discussion and summarizes the conference’s six educational goals.

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