Hawaii statehood and Daniel Inouye’s arrival in Congress

Vol. 49, No. 9, August 28, 1959. 8 pages. View this issue

Hawaii’s statehood and the election of Daniel Inouye to Congress ran through much of this eight-page issue. President Eisenhower signed the proclamation making Hawaii the 50th state, and its new senators and representative were sworn in. The Evening Star in Washington welcomed Inouye, who also appointed Alfred Laureta and Morio Omori as administrative assistants. Bill Hosokawa recalled his father’s prediction that a Nisei would one day sit in Congress. The paper also looked ahead to the third joint EDC-MDC convention in New York, with a staff editorial and a Washington newsletter from Mike Masaoka.

Elsewhere, the 1960 JACL oratorical and essay topic was announced, and the Mt. Olympus JACL presented its National JACL scholarship to Elaine Mitarai. Takeshi Kubota wrote on how successful leaders draw criticism. Other pages cover Nisei Week in Los Angeles, a planned Japanese garden in Stockton, and Nisei Week sports results.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• The EDC-MDC Confab We’ll Never Forget, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The editorial previews the third joint EDC-MDC convention in New York, recalling the coziness of the previous joint parley. It highlights New York JACL’s preparations and the expected appearance of Congressman Daniel Inouye.
• From the Frying Pan, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Bill Hosokawa recalls his father’s prediction that a Nisei would someday be elected to Congress, now fulfilled by Daniel Inouye. He surveys Nisei achievements across sports, architecture, arts, and politics, urging political participation.
• Criticism of Successful Leaders, by Takeshi Kubota, page 5. Seattle JACL president Takeshi Kubota argues that successful individuals and leaders often face unwarranted criticism and ridicule. He observes that a small number of people derive pleasure from belittling those who rule or succeed.
• Penalty of Leadership, by Takeshi Kubota, page 7. Takeshi Kubota continues his essay on how leaders are often criticized and belittled despite their accomplishments. He cites examples of public figures who face distorted press coverage and jealousy.
• Washington Newsletter: EDC-MDC Convention Preview, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Mike Masaoka previews the Third Biennial EDC-MDC Convention in New York, highlighting Congressman Inouye’s address and the Recognitions Banquet honoring Tokichi Matsuoka. He also notes Pat Suzuki’s designation as Miss New York JACL and other events.

National

• Hawaii Now Full-Fledged State, by P.C. Staff, page 1. President Eisenhower signed the proclamation making Hawaii the 50th state, and its new senators and representative were sworn in. The article details the ceremony and the new Senate and House representation.
• Nisei Woman Passes CPA Exam in Washington, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Kayko Arima was among fifty successful candidates in Washington state who passed the May certified public accountant examination. She was one of two women to pass.
• Colorado University Backs Fair Housing, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The University of Colorado Board of Regents unanimously approved a regulation denying listing services to landlords who discriminate against students. Complaints will be referred to a special committee and the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Commission.
• Washington Star Greets Congressman Inouye, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Evening Star editorial welcomed Representative-elect Daniel K. Inouye to Washington, praising his legislative temperament. The paper noted his Hawaiian background and attention to civil rights.
• Congressman Inouye Receives Telegrams from Abroad, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Rep. Daniel Inouye said he received a large volume of congratulatory telegrams from Asia, Africa, Europe and the United States. He believed his election had a positive impact on perceptions abroad.
• Rep. Inouye Appoints Administrative Assistants, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Rep. Daniel Inouye appointed Alfred Laureta of Honolulu and Morio Omori as administrative assistants. The appointments were announced from Washington.
• Maids Only Disallowed, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A Seattle motel’s request to hire only Japanese maids was refused by the Washington State Board Against Discrimination. The board ruled it violated state law.

JACL

• Oratorical-Essay Topic Announced for 1960 Confab, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The topic for the 1960 National JACL oratorical and essay contests is ‘Our Role as Japanese American Youth in the Future of JACL.’ Contest chairs and last year’s winners are named.
• Board Report: Youth Manual and Board Work, by Lily A. Okura, page 5. Lily Okura, secretary to the JACL Board, reports on the June Board and Staff meeting and upcoming New York informal board meeting. She also recounts her travels and visitors to Omaha.

Obituaries

• Dr. Russell WeHara Retires After 35 Years, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Oakland optometrist and longtime JACLer Dr. Russell WeHara retired after nearly 35 years of practice. His office was taken over by Dr. Jack Aikawa, and he departed for a three-month Orient trip.

Incarceration & Redress

• Immigration Director Who Facilitated Issei Naturalization Named to Intelligence, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Bruce Barber, San Francisco INS director, was transferred to Washington as chief of intelligence. He was recalled for greatly facilitating Issei naturalization after the 1952 act.

Community

• Today’s Hybrid Model: Teen Age Dreamboat, by Mary Oyama, page 2. Mary Oyama recounts stories of Nisei and other mothers dealing with teenage daughters receiving phone calls from older boys. She discusses the wisdom of timing parental intervention and balancing freedom with a check-rein.
• Los Angeles Power Outage Tests Community Resilience, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A power outage darkened parts of Los Angeles, and the Hokubei Shimpo checked how local residents coped. Accounts describe improvised lighting, neighbors helping each other, and reports of robberies.
• Zen Identified with Self-Discovery, Says World’s Leading Authority, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Dr. Daisetsu T. Suzuki addressed a Honolulu audience at the Soto Zen Mission on the meaning of Zen. He described Zen as an inward discovery beyond philosophy, religion, and language.
• Nisei School Teacher Gets Assignment in France, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Mary Nobuko Hata, after a year teaching children of U.S. Air Force personnel in Tokyo, departed to teach at a dependent school in France. She is the daughter of retired Buddhist minister Rev. Taigan Hata.
• Stockton Japanese Garden Planned at Micke Grove, by P.C. Staff, page 4. A $50,000 Japanese garden will be built at Micke Grove Park in San Joaquin County as a gesture of community goodwill. Issei and Nisei groups pledged labor and donations to the project.
• Other Nisei Week Comes to a Close, by Fred Takata, page 4. The 49th Nisei Festival concluded with the largest parade in its history before more than 25,000 spectators. The column describes the parade participants, the queen’s attendants, and the Long Beach-ELA luau.
• Sonoma County JACL Establishes Blood Bank, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Sonoma County JACL chapter established a blood bank with the Sonoma County Community Blood Center. At least thirty pints of blood are needed to keep the account active.
• Fresno Microbiologist Wins $4,000 Scholarship, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Senior microbiologist James I. Murashima of the Fresno County Health Department won a $4,000 public health scholarship at the University of California School of Public Health.
• Northwest Column: Pat Suzuki and Community Recognition, by Elmer Ogawa, page 7. Elmer Ogawa comments on Seattle’s failure to honor Pat Suzuki with a testimonial and criticizes petty attitudes toward those who succeed. He also highlights Congressman Inouye’s remark on contributing to the nation.
• Yukawa Paper Stirs Debate at Honolulu Philosophers’ Conference, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Nobel laureate Hideki Yukawa’s paper argued that electronic computers would replace human intellect and criticized Japanese irrationalism. Conference members responded by debating the rational and irrational elements in any culture.
• Research House 1959 Open to Public in Encino, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The 1959 Research House, a demonstration home designed by professionals under Togo Tanaka’s direction, is open for public viewing in Encino Estates until October 28. It showcases products from over 100 building manufacturers.
• Hollywood Girl Named American Vice-Consul, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Reiko Nagumo of Los Angeles was commissioned a foreign service officer and will serve as vice-consul in Cambodia. She is a graduate of UCLA with both bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
• Scholarship Award Presented at Outing, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Mt. Olympus JACL presented the National JACL scholarship to Elaine Mitarai at its annual canyon outing in Storm Mountain. The event drew over 150 attendees.

Military & Veterans

• Four Medal of Honor Heroes Feted by GI Forum Confab, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The American GI Forum honored four Congressional Medal of Honor holders at its convention. The recipients included three active servicemen and one retired veteran.
• Disabled Nisei Veteran Finds His Niche, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Masato Dick Nakamoto, a Korean War veteran disfigured by a napalm bomb, earned a Silver Star and became an insurance agent in Daly City. His story illustrates the continued usefulness of disabled citizens.

Sports

• Tom Matsunaga Wins Nisei Week Golf with 78-8-70, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Tom Matsunaga won the championship flight of the Nisei Week golf tournament at Monterey Municipal Course. The South team also defeated the North team in Saturday match play.
• Tenth Inning Bunt Hands Nisei Trading 4-3 Victory, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Nisei Trading defeated the Li’l Tokio Giants 4-3 in ten innings at Will Rogers Park on a bunt by Mae Murakami. The pitchers’ duel featured strong performances from Ben Kimura and Herb Isono.

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