District conventions, chapter news and Nisei in sports

Vol. 45, No. 24, December 13, 1957. 8 pages. View this issue

District conventions filled the front page of this eight-page issue. George Abe of Selma was elected chairman of the Central California JACL District Council at its Fresno convention, with Congressman B. F. Sisk installing the new officers. Henry Kato of Gresham-Troutdale was named to lead the Pacific Northwest District, and Yutaka Terasaki took the chair of the Mountain-Plains District in Omaha. Editor Harry K. Honda wrote about a letter from Mrs. Jimmie Sakamoto of Seattle, and Bill Hosokawa and Mike Masaoka contributed columns.

Inside are a Los Angeles Christmas Cheer drive, Ken Fujii’s honor as Nevada’s athlete of the month, and Eddie Kawano’s retired jersey at Powell High. Other pages cover New York City’s housing bias ban, Frank Chuman’s election as president of an immigration lawyers association, and a 184-foot flagpole planned in Calipatria for Helen Momita.

What’s in this issue

Community

• George Abe of Selma to Head Central Cal D.C., by Thomas Toyama, page 1. George Abe, a Selma nurseryman, was elected chairman of the Central California JACL District Council at its eighth annual convention in Fresno. Other district and chapter officers were installed by Congressman B. F. Sisk, and Tulare County JACL won Chapter of the Year.
• Vice-Pres. Nixon Presents Flag for Momita Memorial Pole, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Vice President Richard Nixon donated a flag that flew over the U.S. Capitol to Calipatria, California, for a 184-foot memorial flagpole honoring Helen Momita, who died in an auto accident. Community contributions are funding the tower, which Calipatria’s low elevation makes especially notable.
• Henry Kato of Gresham-Troutdale Voted PNDC Leader, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Henry Kato of Gresham-Troutdale JACL was named 1957-59 chairman of the Pacific Northwest District Council, with other new officers to be installed at the December convention in Seattle. Outgoing chairman Dr. Kelly Yamada and other officers were recognized for their service.
• Mas Satow Named Admiral of Nebraska Navy, by P.C. Staff, page 1. National JACL Director Mas Satow received an honorary title of Admiral in the Great Navy of the State of Nebraska at the Mountain-Plains District Council convention in Omaha. The honor is bestowed only on outstanding citizens.
• Yutaka Terasaki Named Chairman of Mt.-Plains District, by Lily A. Okura, page 1. Tak Terasaki was installed as chairman of the Mountain-Plains District Council at its Omaha convention, which also passed resolutions supporting youth programs and expanded Pacific Citizen subscriptions for members. National director Mas Satow delivered the keynote address.
• Nisei Shanghaied to Play Sakini Makes Big Hit at U. of Maryland, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Walter Nakamura, a Hawaiian student at the University of Maryland, was unexpectedly cast as Sakini in the school’s production of The Teahouse of the August Moon. The play drew near-capacity audiences and was well received.
• Chapter Festival Acclaimed Success, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The St. Louis JACL Fall Festival, held in cooperation with the Artists’ Guild, was reported as a huge success in the chapter newsletter. Concessions and food booths were staffed by Nisei interest groups and the Floral Art Guild.
• Denver JACL Annual Meeting Honors Local Leaders, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Mile-Hi JACL held its annual meeting in Denver, presenting scrolls to James G. Patton and Dr. Robt. L. Stearns and honoring Z. Kanegaye with a sapphire pin. Newly naturalized citizens were also recognized at the ceremony.
• Fashion Show Highlights Central California District Convention, by Koko Sakohira, page 4. Koko Sakohira describes a fashion show at the Central California District Council convention in Fresno, featuring mostly Sansei models in a Japanese garden setting. Kimono-clad hostesses escorted guests and the event was well received.
• Milwaukee Christmas Party for Children Planned, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Milwaukee JACL announced a Christmas program for children of members and friends at Mitchell Park Pavilion. Games and sessions were arranged by the committee led by Jennett Tada.
• San Francisco JACL Auxiliary Visits Aged on Thanksgiving, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Seven members of the San Francisco JACL Women’s Auxiliary visited the Laguna Honda Home for the Aged, bringing gifts and food to eleven Japanese residents. The gifts were funded by a fundraising dance and donations.
• Eddie Kawano Honored with Jersey Retirement at Powell High, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Powell High School retired jersey number 20 in honor of Eddie Kawano, an all-state halfback on the state champion team. Kawano scored 186 points in 12 games during the season.
• Los Angeles Newsletter: Christmas Cheer Drive Nears End, by Henry Mori, page 7. The tenth annual Christmas Cheer drive in Los Angeles is in its final week, aiming for a $2,000 goal plus food donations for needy Japanese Americans. Distribution is scheduled for the following week under the direction of Hiro Omura.
• Attorney Frank Chuman Elected President of Immigration Lawyers Association, by Henry Mori, page 7. Frank F. Chuman, legal counsel for the National JACL, was elected president of the Los Angeles chapter of the National Association of Immigration and Nationality Lawyers for 1958. He is the first person of Japanese ancestry to head a major lawyers’ organization.
• Washington Newsletter: CCDC Convention, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Mike Masaoka reports on the Central California District Council convention in Fresno, describing its history as the cradle of JACL and its cooperative annual structure. He notes how the chapters have won acceptance in the San Joaquin Valley.
• Congressman Trusts Islanders Will Not Let Communists Take Over, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Illinois Republican Rep. Emmet F. Byrne, after touring Hawaii, said he favors statehood and praised the islanders’ industry and loyalty. He stated he saw no danger of communism flourishing there.
• Stockton Sansei Ronald Baba Earns Eagle Badge, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Ronald Baba, a 14-year-old Marshall Junior High student from Stockton, earned the Boy Scouts’ Eagle rank. He serves as senior patrol leader in Troop 54 and is active in several school and church groups.
• Hospital Aide Strikes It Rich on Radio Show, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Mrs. Henrietta Yamamoto, a nurse’s aide at Washington’s Suburban Hospital, won a round-trip ticket to Hawaii on the radio show Strike It Rich. She told the story of working to put her son through Rutgers University.

Commentary

• Very Truly Yours: Just What I Need—An Uplifting Letter, by Harry K. Honda, page 1. Editor Harry Honda recounts a letter from Mrs. Jimmie Sakamoto of Seattle recalling the early years of the Pacific Citizen at the Japanese American Courier. The letter reminds him of the late Jimmie Sakamoto’s dedication and the perseverance needed to meet production deadlines.
• From the Denver Corner: Lies Revived, by Bill Hosokawa, page 2. Columnist Bill Hosokawa describes a Denver TV broadcast of the 1943 Warner Bros. film Air Force, which repeats wartime lies about Nisei disloyalty. He reflects that the film now seems outdated because Japan has become a friend and Nisei are no longer seen as enemies.
• By the Board: Sansei Leadership Seems to Be Assuring, by Dr. Kelly Yamada, page 5. Dr. Kelly Yamada, outgoing Pacific Northwest District Council chairman, reflects on the Nisei’s progress over sixteen years since Pearl Harbor. He expresses optimism that Sansei leaders will rise to meet future challenges.

National

• New York City Bans Housing Bias, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The New York City Council passed a 20-to-1 bill outlawing racial and religious discrimination in the rental or sale of private housing. Supporters predicted it would prompt similar legislation in other cities, pending possible review by the Board of Estimate.
• Uncertainty Ahead for Girard and His Wife, by Bill Hosokawa, page 2. Hosokawa comments on the arrival in the United States of William and Haru Girard, after Girard’s conviction in a Japanese court for the death of a scavenger. He argues the couple faces an uncertain future and deserves more compassion than they may receive.
• Nisei Mother Brings Parents to U.S. Under Quota, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Mrs. Kazue Nagai Katz brought her parents, Kaiichiro and Tsuru Nagai, to the United States for permanent residence under the immigration quota system. The couple applied under the Walter-McCarran Act after a consulate official suggested the quota route.
• Rotational System of JCCA Headquarters Described as Idiotic, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Japanese Canadian Citizens Association leaders at a national executive meeting described the two-year rotation of national headquarters as unworkable. They proposed a national conference to review the organization’s structure, aims, and funding.

Sports

• Kaz Hayashi Wins Top Honors at Annual Mile-Hi District Keg Tourney, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Kaz Hayashi led bowlers in the AA all-events competition at the Mountain-Plains JACL District bowling tournament held over Thanksgiving. Other winners were recognized at the banquet.
• Nisei Quarterback Ken Fujii Honored as Athlete of the Month, by P.C. Staff, page 6. University of Nevada quarterback Ken Fujii was named athlete of the month by Reno sportswriters and broadcasters and earned second-string honors on a United Press all-coast team. He completed 102 passes during a difficult season.
• Nakamura and Ono Withdraw from Los Angeles Open, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Japanese golfers Pete Nakamura and Koichi Ono will not accept invitations to the Los Angeles Open, choosing to focus on the Far Eastern Open in Manila. John Ty Saito expressed disappointment, as Nisei golfers had pledged funds for their expenses.

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