1956 begins: Northern California flood relief and JACL’s legislative goals

Vol. 42, No. 1, January 6, 1956. 8 pages. View this issue

A Northern California flood dominated the news as the year opened. On Christmas Eve a levee broke near Yuba City, and an Issei, K. Amaki, 73, was presumed dead while about 130 Issei and Nisei families were forced to leave their homes. Masao Satow reported that an emergency JACL office had opened in Marysville, and Placer County groups sent contributions. Mike Masaoka and Helen Mineta described the Washington office’s twelve-point plan for 1956, led by Hawaii statehood, changes to the Evacuation Claims Act and larger immigration quotas for Japan.

Also inside: new chapter presidents in Seattle, Monterey, Denver and Chicago, and Elmer R. Smith’s look at JACL five years on. Bill Hosokawa, Tats Kushida, Harry K. Honda and Lorry S. Tajiri contributed columns, and the sports pages followed Tommy Kono, Chiharu Igaya and Coach Melvin Kawasoe.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• 1956: Year of Great Expectations, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The new session of the 84th Congress convenes with high expectations on both domestic and foreign issues, including agriculture, schools, highways, and defense. Lawmakers will be closely watching voter reactions, including those of Japanese Americans, as the November elections approach.
• Stripping the Yule Tree, by Bill Hosokawa, page 2. Columnist Bill Hosokawa reflects on the sadness of taking down the Christmas tree, which will be discarded because his family lacks a fireplace. He also praises Nisei New Year observances and the efforts of Denver’s Frank Torizawa to preserve Japanese New Year traditions.
• Russo-Japanese Affairs, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 3. Columnist Tamotsu Murayama argues that Soviet Russia’s peace overtures in the London talks are designed to separate Japan from the United States and strengthen communism in Japan. He criticizes Japanese negotiator Shunichi Matsumoto and cites a Diet member’s account of Khrushchev’s remarks about Japan’s war guilt.
• Pages from the Ages, by Harry K. Honda, page 5. Harry Honda describes watching the 1956 Tournament of Roses parade from Pasadena and notes the important role Japanese American growers play in the floral industry. He also reflects on Nisei New Year traditions and their possible decline.
• Sou’Wester: Fortnight Trilogy, by Tats Kushida, page 6. Tats Kushida describes repeated break-ins at the JACL regional and Pacific Citizen office, in which a thief rifled through subscription mail and desks. He also comments on the Japanese words for thief and provides a playful etymology.
• Los Angeles Newsletter: Quiet New Year’s, by Henry Mori, page 7. Henry Mori writes about a quiet holiday season at home with his young sons and reflects on how children perceive the end of Christmas. He also shares news about Los Angeles Nisei, including the honoring of Willie Funakoshi as Optimist of the Year.
• Vagares: Sayonara as Film, by Lorry S. Tajiri, page 8. Lorry Tajiri reports on the competition among Hollywood studios to film James Michener’s novel Sayonara and Warner Brothers’ recent registration of the title. He also notes that MGM is shooting Teahouse of the August Moon in Japan, reducing opportunities for Hollywood’s Japanese American extras.
• Washington Newsletter: Hawaiian Statehood Remains JACL’s No. 1 Goal, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Mike Masaoka outlines JACL’s twelve-point legislative program for the 1956 congressional session, with Hawaii statehood as the top priority. The program also covers evacuation claims, immigration equality for Asia, vested property return, and civil rights.

JACL

• A Challenge, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL chapters that have reached a peak in their membership drives are urged to enroll members as Pacific Citizen subscribers. The editors present this as a worthwhile goal for chapters seeking a new challenge in 1956.
• Placer County JACL Makes Flood Relief Contributions, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Local Japanese American organizations in Loomis contributed financially to aid flood victims in Marysville and Yuba City. The funds were turned over to the Marysville JACL chapter for distribution through official relief agencies.
• Five Years After: JACL Comes of Age, by Elmer R. Smith, page 3. Elmer Smith reviews JACL developments since 1950, including the move of the Pacific Citizen and National Headquarters to California in 1953 and growing membership. He highlights the National JACL Endowment, naturalization programs for Issei, and the 1954 ‘New Horizons’ theme.

Incarceration & Redress

• Yuba City Issei Presumed Dead in Flood, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Yuba City Issei K. Amaki, 73, is presumed dead after being swept away when a levee broke on Christmas Eve, as reported by Nakakichi Uyeno. The flood forced evacuation of all 130 Issei and Nisei families in the Yuba City area.

National

• Hawaii Statehood Tops JACL’s 1956 Legislative Objectives, by Helen Mineta, page 1. The Washington JACL office announced a twelve-point legislative program for 1956, led by Hawaii statehood, amendments to the Evacuation Claims Act, and larger immigration quotas for Japan. Mike Masaoka stressed that statehood should be considered on its merits and that immigration equality for Asia is a central goal.
• Nakatsuka Returns from Two-and-a-Half-Month Far East Tour, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Hawaii Governor King’s press secretary Lawrence Nakatsuka returned from a State Department-sponsored tour of Japan, Hong Kong, Burma, Pakistan, and India. He reported that many Japanese asked about emigrating to Hawaii, but that the general U.S. quota also applies to Hawaii.
• Minority Week: Progress Toward Non-Segregation, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Tuskegee Institute’s annual report found overall progress toward non-segregation in 1955 despite conflict in the South. The report cited Supreme Court and lower federal court rulings favoring desegregation alongside state legislative resistance.

Community

• Welcome Home Reception for Santa Barbara Issei Woman, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Koto Nakagawa, 82, was honored at a welcome reception in Santa Barbara attended by about 100 friends and officials, with messages from President Eisenhower and Governor Knight. She had returned to the United States after living in Japan since 1930.
• First Chinese Lawyer Enters Canadian Politics, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Douglas Jung, believed to be the first person of Chinese extraction to enter Canadian politics at the candidate level, will run as a Progressive Conservative in a provincial by-election in Vancouver. Born in Victoria, Jung served in the army’s Pacific Command intelligence section during the war.
• Nisei Mason Installed in Ann Arbor, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Masao Kon, a local Nisei taxi operator, was installed as Worshipful Master of Ann Arbor Chapter No. 6 of the Royal Arch Masons. The ceremony was held at the local Masonic temple.
• Pioneer Ogden Residents Die in Fire, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Umakichi Kawaguchi and his wife Ura died in a fire at their Plain City home on December 28 after he attempted to rescue his bedridden wife. His son’s family was left homeless when the adjacent house also burned.
• So. Alameda County JACL Elects Handa President, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Isao Handa of Centerville was installed as president of the South Alameda County JACL at a January 5 dinner. Stewart Nixon, editor of the Township News-Register, was guest speaker.
• Christmas Cheer Total Passes $2,400 Mark, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The eighth annual Christmas Cheer fund raised $2,497.70, exceeding its $2,000 goal by 24 percent. Two additional donations were acknowledged after the drive closed.
• Nation’s Largest Chapter Pushes Active Year, Serving Over 800 Members, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Chicago JACL, the nation’s largest chapter, summarized its busy year of events, programs, and elections. Highlights included meetings with author James Michener, naturalization ceremonies, and a new slate of officers led by Dr. Frank Sakamoto.
• Kodama Elected to Head Monterey JACL, by Kaz Oka, page 4. George Kodama was elected president of the Monterey Peninsula JACL chapter for 1956 and announced his committee chairmen. Dr. T. Clifford Nakajima was appointed assistant scoutmaster of JACL-sponsored Boy Scout Troop 47.
• Tom Kanno Succeeds Dr. Iijima as President of Twin Cities UCL, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Tom Kanno was named president of the Twin Cities United Citizens League, succeeding Dr. Isaac Iijima. Installation ceremonies were planned for later in January.
• Sakayama To Head Mile-Hi JACL in ’56, by P.C. Staff, page 4. John Sakayama was elected 1956 president of the Mile-Hi JACL chapter in Denver, succeeding the late Harry H. Sakata. Inaugural ceremonies were held at the New Year’s party.
• Mile-Hi Strives for 1,000 Members, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Membership chairman Betty Suzuki reported ten members signed up for 1956 with a goal of 1,000. The chapter obtained 575 members in 1955 and ranked fifth nationally.
• French Camp CL Names Komure Head, by P.C. Staff, page 4. George Komure, a member of a local produce firm, was elected president of the French Camp JACL chapter for 1956. Other executive board members were to be appointed at the next general meeting.
• Pacific Citizen Columnist Mas Satow Reports on Flood Relief, by Masao Satow, page 5. Masao Satow reports that the Northern California flood situation is under control, with an emergency JACL office established in Marysville. The NCWNDC advanced $500 for relief, and National Headquarters granted $500 for administrative expenses.
• Meet Seattle JACL’s New Leader, by Elmer Ogawa, page 5. James M. Matsuoka, newly elected president of the Seattle JACL, is profiled for his long record of community service and leadership. His activities include leading the Jackson Street Community Council and becoming the first Nisei elected to the Seattle Realty Board.
• Seattle JACL Installation Preview, by Elmer Ogawa, page 6. James Matsuoka’s installation as Seattle JACL president is set for January 20 at the Roosevelt Hotel, with Mayor Allan Pomeroy as the main speaker. Eighty-five new citizens will be honored at the dinner.
• JACL Participates in Bill of Rights Rally at Denver, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The Mile-Hi JACL participated in a Civil Rights Day rally in Denver commemorating the Bill of Rights and calling for congressional action against discrimination. NAACP executive director Roy Wilkins was the featured speaker.
• San Luis Obispo Issei Citizen Called for Jury Duty, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Tameji Eto, a 72-year-old Issei naturalized under the Walter-McCarran Act, was called to serve on a jury in San Luis Obispo County. Eto is a former president of the local vegetable growers association and was among the first to grow winter peas in the Pismo area.

Military & Veterans

• 442nd Veterans Aid A-Bomb Victims, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The 442nd Veterans Association of New York presented a $100 check to the Hiroshima Peace Center Associates as its fifth annual Reunion gift. The money is forwarded to the Hiroshima Peace Foundation to support atomic bomb victims, especially young survivors.

Sports

• Japanese American Athletes Make Headlines Abroad, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Amateur Athlete magazine reports on Nisei athletes including Hawaii flyweight boxer Heji Shimabukuro on the AAU’s European tour, and Tommy Kono’s world weightlifting record. It also notes Karen Anderson, a javelin champion and daughter of a former WRA staffer at Heart Mountain.
• Coach Kawasoe Leads Vale Grid Team to Second Straight State Title, by Masao W. Satow, page 5. Melvin ‘Dutch’ Kawasoe, a Nisei head football coach in Vale, Oregon, led his team to a second consecutive Oregon Class A-2 state championship. The team’s winning streak extended to 22 games over two seasons.
• Chiharu Igaya Wins Adelboden Ski Test, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Japanese skier Chiharu Igaya won the slalom at the Adelboden International ski tournament in Switzerland, the first pre-Olympic test of the year. He finished with a combined time of 160.6 seconds.
• Kayo Hayakawa Wins S.F. Men’s Bowling Title, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Kayo Hayakawa of Downtown Nisei Majors won the senior all-events title at the San Francisco Men’s Bowling Championships with a 2002 total. Fuzzy Shimada narrowly missed qualifying for the national match game semifinals.

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