A first for JACL: an Issei chapter president, and civil rights bills

Vol. 48, No. 5, January 30, 1959. 8 pages. View this issue

Gongoro Nakamura, a naturalized Issei, was named 1959 president of the Downtown Los Angeles JACL, and the paper marked the occasion on its front page and again on page 5. Civil rights ran alongside it. Bills were introduced in California by Assemblyman Jesse Unruh and Assemblyman John A. Busterud, and in Utah by Rep. Adam M. Duncan. Mike Masaoka’s columns followed Hawaiian statehood hearings and the work of the congressional committees.

Elsewhere, Bill Hosokawa wrote about his Sansei children and about a new goal of 2,000 members for the JACL 1000 Club. Tom Kitayama was elected the first mayor of Union City. Elmer Ogawa told of Colonel James M. Hanley’s gift of Signal Corps photographs of the 442nd to the Seattle Nisei Vets. Chapter installations, bowling results and local news fill the rest of these eight pages.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• ‘Secret desire’ finally comes true, by H.H., page 1. The Downtown Los Angeles JACL chapter has named naturalized Issei Gongoro Nakamura as its 1959 president, a first for an Issei chapter leader. The editorial hopes this signals greater Issei-Nisei cooperation and a place for naturalized members on the National JACL Board.
• Gambling and the Gardena poker club question, by Harry K. Honda, page 2. The editor argues JACL should not take an official stance on gambling, though strict state control is needed for public morals. He notes the parallels between the Gardena seventh poker club proposal and broader gambling debates.
• Nisei: Changing Times, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Bill Hosokawa observes that his Sansei children are independent and individualistic rather than subservient to authority. He contrasts them with the stereotype of Nisei as passive followers.
• Congressional committees, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Mike Masaoka explains the role of standing congressional committees and notes the chairmanships largely remain the same in the new session. He discusses how the House and Senate Interior and Judiciary committees will affect JACL legislative goals.

National

• Hawaii’s mixed population seen as boon for Statehood, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Mike Masaoka urged the House Interior Committee to grant Hawaii statehood, arguing it would counter Communist propaganda among Asians. He cited the loyal war record of Japanese Americans in Hawaii as proof of their Americanism.
• Sweeping civil rights bill with stiff penalties dropped in Sac’to hopper, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Assemblyman Jesse Unruh introduced a broad civil rights bill in California prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religion, ancestry or national origin. The bill would penalize violators and revoke real estate licenses of agents who discriminate.
• Bill introduced to repeal Nevada law, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A bill was introduced in the Nevada legislature to repeal a 95-year-old miscegenation law that had blocked the marriage of Harry Bridges and his Japanese American fiancee. The couple ultimately married after a court declared the law invalid.
• Judge Aiso hands opinion in union race bias issue, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Superior Judge John F. Aiso ruled that the state court lacked jurisdiction to enjoin ILWU Local 13 from discriminatory practices, though it could award damages to Negro dockworkers. Attorneys Neusom and Boags represented the dockworkers in the suit.
• International Institutes to merge with Common Council for American Unity, by JACL News Service, page 3. Mike Masaoka accepted an invitation to serve on the inaugurating committee of the American Council for Nationalities Service, a merger of two Americanization organizations. The combined group will expand services and foster sound immigration policy.
• Civil rights bill introduced in Utah legislature, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Rep. Adam M. Duncan introduced a Utah civil rights bill barring racial discrimination in public places with civil damages for violations. Salt Lake JACL supports the measure which was referred to the Committee of Ten.
• California civil rights legislation introduced, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Assemblyman John A. Busterud introduced legislation to broaden California’s civil rights law to outlaw discrimination in all places of public accommodation. The bill would apply whether or not such places were specifically mentioned in existing statutes.
• Calif. Senate labor committee appointed, foresee FEPC bill OK, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The California Committee for Fair Employment Practices expressed satisfaction with the new State Senate Labor Committee, expecting a fair hearing on the FEPC bill. The committee’s members and the bill’s prospects are discussed.
• Hawaiian statehood gains momentum in Congress, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Hawaiian statehood, a long-standing JACL objective, is advancing as the House Interior Committee opened public hearings on the bills. The committee membership changes and the favorable House subcommittee report are discussed.

Community

• Washington Office moves quarters, by JACL News Service, page 1. The JACL Washington office is moving to larger quarters at 919 18th St. NW, necessitated by the government’s purchase of its previous building. Mike Masaoka and his consulting firm will occupy accompanying suites in the same building.
• Nisei elected Union City mayor, by P.P., page 1. Tom Kitayama, a 35-year-old Nisei nurseryman, was unanimously elected the first mayor of newly created Union City in Alameda County. He received the highest vote total in the council election.
• Mas Yano elected president of Oregon Bench Telephone Co., by P.C. Staff, page 1. Mas Yano, an active Snake River JACL member, was elected president of the board of directors of the Oregon Bench Telephone Company. The election took place at the annual meeting of board members and stockholders.
• Monterey Peninsula JACL sponsors annual dinner and recognition, by Barton Yoshida, page 2. Barton Yoshida thanked the Monterey Peninsula JACL cabinet, board, women’s auxiliary and members for a successful year. He credited their planning and enthusiasm for the chapter’s achievements.
• Japan-developed seedless melon ready, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Dr. Norio Kondo of Tokyo University developed a seedless watermelon that will be cultivated and sold by three American produce firms. His achievement was praised at an international heredity symposium in Japan in 1957.
• Japanese taught at public library series, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Nearly 200 Idaho Falls students enrolled in weekly foreign language courses offered through the American Association of University Women at the public library. Mrs. Fred Ochi, active in JACL, instructs the Japanese class which began Jan. 17.
• French Camp JACL installs new officers, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The newly elected French Camp JACL officers, headed by president Mats Murata, will be installed at a joint New Year’s gathering with local Issei as guests. The evening includes awards, dinner by the Women’s Auxiliary and entertainment.
• Japanese Studies Center at U.C. formed, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The University of California at Berkeley established a Center for Japanese Studies funded by a Ford Foundation grant. The center will study the history, economics, politics and sociology of Japanese life and culture.
• Idaho Falls JACLer in Pharmacy Ass’n post, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Katz Nukaya, an Idaho Falls JACL member and owner of Katz Pharmacy, was elected secretary of the Eastern Idaho Pharmaceutical Association for 1959.
• Pointing Southwestward, by Fred Takata, page 4. Fred Takata recounts a busy two weeks of chapter installations, dinners, and meetings across Southern California. He highlights the Gardena VFW’s poker club campaign and the San Fernando Valley youth council formation.
• San Luis Valley JACL installs officers, by Shizue Fujimoto, page 4. The San Luis Valley JACL installed George Katsumoto as president at a dinner attended by 130 people in Alamosa. Roy Inouye and S. Yoritomo received 10-year membership pins for their service.
• National JACL credit union declares 4 1/2% dividend with 3% patronage refund, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The National JACL Credit Union held its annual meeting in Salt Lake City with about 100 members attending. The organization announced a 4.5 percent dividend and 3 percent patronage refund after a successful year.
• Parlier Auxiliary plans calendar for year, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Parlier JACL Auxiliary planned its 1959 calendar of events at its January meeting. Mrs. Oto Okamura demonstrated almond roca candy making.
• Idaho Falls winter carnival deemed success, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Over 500 people attended the Idaho Falls JACL winter carnival at the Armory, with food, concessions and entertainment for all ages. Chapter president Bud Sakaguchi credited the chairmen and volunteers.
• Central California District Council completes year, plans for 1959, by Dr. James K. Nagatani, page 5. Dr. James Nagatani, CCDC chairman, reviews the district’s successful New Year’s Ball and outlines plans for the coming year. He highlights new chapter officers, youth work, scholarships and proposed chapter formation at Delano and Bakersfield.
• Seeking 1,200 members for ’59, by P.C. Staff, page 5. San Francisco JACL, led by Mrs. Yo Hironaka, aims to enroll 1,200 members in 1959 with 94 workers soliciting during February. The chapter was the nation’s largest in 1958 with close to 1,100 members.
• Two mayors guests for Fremont fete, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Fremont JACL annual installation dinner will feature new Union City mayor Tom Kitayama and Fremont officials as guests. City Manager Howard Reese will be the main speaker.
• Watsonville JACL to sponsor community picnic April 12, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Watsonville JACL will host a community-wide picnic on April 12, the first such event for local Japanese Americans since evacuation. The chapter also plans a blood bank, scholarship, and Fourth of July events.
• East L.A. chapter reveals calendar, by P.C. Staff, page 5. East Los Angeles JACL set membership goals of 400 regular members and 35 1000 Club members and released its 1959 calendar of events. The schedule includes dances, picnics, outings and general meetings.
• Downtown L.A. JACL installs Issei-led cabinet, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Gongoro Nakamura, a naturalized Issei, was installed as Downtown Los Angeles JACL president, a first for the chapter. Katsuma Mukaeda, another naturalized Issei, serves as vice president and Father Clement was named chaplain.
• Sonoma County chapter plans Feb. 14 crab feed, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Sonoma County JACL held a successful installation dinner and outlined its 1959 calendar of activities. The chapter’s first event is a crab feed on February 14 at Memorial Hall.
• Sat Yamada to head Sequoia JACLers, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Florist Sat Yamada was elected president of the Sequoia JACL, succeeding Tom Yamane. Plans are underway for an installation dinner with new cabinet members.
• Gilroy Nisei selected outstanding farmer, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Robert Kishimura was named Gilroy’s outstanding young farmer by the local Jr. Chamber of Commerce and is competing for the state title. The recognition highlights his farming achievements.
• Hawaiian singer in Hollywood nitery debut, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Ethel Azama made her mainland debut at the Ye Little Club in Hollywood with a nine-week engagement. Variety praised her vocal style and ballads, noting she may gain headway on the nightclub circuit.
• Detroit JACLers slate Feb. 21 installation at the swanky Whittier, by Bebe Horiuchi, page 6. The Detroit JACL plans its installation dinner-dance on February 21 at the Pompeiian Room of the Whittier Hotel with National JACL President Shig Wakamatsu as speaker. The committee sought fresh ideas to improve on past dinner-dances.
• Sacramento JACL bowling tournament, by Shig Sakamoto, page 7. The 11th annual Sacramento JACL handicap bowling tournament will be held February 13-15 at South Bowl with 50 teams expected. Entry rules, handicap formula and sign-up deadlines are outlined.
• Gardena Valley Nisei invitational bowling tournament, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Leaders in the Gardena Valley Nisei invitational bowling tournament held their positions in most events after the second week. Results for singles, doubles and mixed events are reported.
• Nisei Classic League: eleven bowlers reach 600 series, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Eleven men in the Nisei Classic League bowled 600 series at Sunday Bowl last week. Results for the mixed doubles and other events are included.
• Long Beach 1000er cited for promoting kendo, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Dr. Gordon Warner, a Long Beach 1000 Club member, was honored by the Japan Defense College for his contributions to kendo. He was the first non-Japanese to attain shodan rank in 1939.
• Chinese American judge appointed to vacancy on L.A. municipal bench, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Delbert E. Wong, a deputy state attorney general, became the first Chinese American judge in the continental United States when appointed to the Los Angeles municipal bench. He fills an unexpired term and is a World War II bomber navigator veteran.

JACL

• Two thousand, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Bill Matsumoto, national chairman of the JACL 1000 Club, set a new goal of 2,000 active paid-up members. Hosokawa notes that this target is more realistic today than the original 1,000 goal set in the 1930s.

Military & Veterans

• Priceless Photographs, by Elmer Ogawa, page 6. Colonel James M. Hanley, former 2nd battalion commander of the 442nd, presented some 200 Signal Corps photographs of the unit’s Italian and French campaigns to the Seattle Nisei Vets. The article recounts the close bonds among 442nd veterans and the colonel’s memories of their service.

Obituaries

• Shig Kozu scores hole-in-one at Sharp Park, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Shig Kozu, an Oakland Hi-Fli member, scored an ace on Sharp Park’s 160-yard 16th hole using a T-iron. The feat was reported by club president Dr. Roger Hasegawa.

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