Hawaii’s first Nisei in Congress, and a teacher turned away in Virginia

Vol. 49, No. 6, August 7, 1959. 8 pages. View this issue

The election of Hiram Fong and Daniel Inouye to Congress from Hawaii ran through this issue. Press editorials were gathered under the heading “Melting Pot Election.” Larry S. Tajiri wrote on what Inouye’s win meant, and Mike Masaoka profiled both men in his Washington Newsletter. Thirty-six of the 58 Americans of Japanese ancestry on Hawaii’s ballot won seats in the first state legislature. On the front page, Yukiko Tamashiro was rejected for a teaching post in Falls Church, Virginia, because of her race, and the Washington JACL was studying its options.

Elsewhere in these eight pages are an editorial on Khrushchev’s coming visit, Harry K. Honda’s column on Vice President Nixon in Russia, and National Director Masao Satow’s report on convention plans. Tommy Kono defended his national weightlifting title, and George Takei was cast in the film Ice Palace. Chapter news came from Philadelphia, Fowler and the San Fernando Valley.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• Soviet Russia’s Latest Look, by H.H., page 1. The editorial cautions that Khrushchev’s visit and the Soviet trade exhibition in New York present a polished image that masks communism’s totalitarian nature. It urges Americans not to be lulled into complacency by the new look.
• Very Truly Yours: Nixon’s Visit, by Harry K. Honda, page 2. The editor examines Vice President Nixon’s visit to Russia and the Berlin crisis, arguing that the West must not yield to Soviet threats. He warns that conceding ground over Berlin could invite further Western sacrifices.
• Melting Pot Election, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Press editorials across the nation praised the election of Hiram Fong and Daniel Inouye to Congress as a triumph of democracy. Excerpts from several newspapers highlight the significance of Asian Americans entering Congress.
• Significance of Inouye Election, by Larry S. Tajiri, page 3. Tajiri notes Daniel Inouye’s election as Hawaii’s first Nisei congressman while pointing to continuing prejudice, illustrated by the rejection of Yukiko Tamashiro. He also recalls past racist opposition to Hawaiian statehood and credits JACL and Nisei wartime service for improved status.
• The National Director’s Report, by Masao Satow, page 4. Satow reports on an informal national board meeting planned around the EDC-MDC convention and on district council meetings in the Pacific Northwest and Intermountain regions. He also praises the Pacific Citizen’s value as a historical resource.
• Newsletter, by Henry Mori, page 7. Mori describes a judging event for Nisei Week queen candidates held at the Engel home in Brentwood. He also comments on the candidates and the upcoming coronation ball.
• Washington Newsletter: Hawaii’s Congressional Delegation, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Masaoka celebrates the election of Hiram Fong and Daniel Inouye to Hawaii’s congressional delegation as a milestone for Americans of Asian ancestry. He profiles both men’s backgrounds and expresses hope they will act with maturity and not be seen only as spokesmen for one group.

Incarceration & Redress

• Sansei Teacher Denied Virginia Position, page 1. Yukiko Tamashiro, a qualified teacher, was rejected for an elementary school post in Falls Church, Virginia, because of her race. The Washington JACL is studying options, though no legal recourse currently appears available.
• Arson Suspected, page 1. A fire suspected to be arson destroyed the Morton Grove, Illinois home of Dr. Ben Chikaraishi and Mrs. Chikaraishi. Reconstruction work on the interior was reported to be commencing.

Community

• 36 AJAs Elected to Hawaii State Senate & House, page 1. Thirty-six of the 58 Americans of Japanese ancestry on Hawaii’s ballot won seats in the first state legislature. Sakae Takahashi and Nelson Doi were named minority leaders in the State Senate.
• Wakasugi Heads County Farm Bureau, page 1. Mamoru Wakasugi, an active Snake River JACLer, was elected chairman of the Malheur County Farm Bureau at its annual meeting. The organization also approved an expanded program including research and market studies.
• Oregon’s Lone Nisei Lawyer Heads State Attorney Organization, page 1. Walter Fuchigami was elected president of the Oregon Bar Association’s group of state attorney general office lawyers. He is the lone Nisei attorney in Oregon’s state office.
• Fowler JACL Summer, by Thomas Toyama, page 4. Fowler JACL activities pause during harvest season, but members took part in an old-timers softball league. Local Nisei and Sansei families were also active in farm associations and youth baseball.
• Philadelphia JACLers Set for Parley, by Akira Hayashi, page 5. Philadelphia JACL became the first chapter to confirm a sizeable delegation of 22 for the EDC-MDC convention in New York. The article urges other chapters to report their attendance early.
• San Fernando Valley JACL Hosting First PSWDC Quarterly, page 5. The Pacific Southwest District Council’s third quarterly session will be held in San Fernando under chairman Kango Kunitsugu. The chapter is hosting for the first time, with registration, business sessions, and a buffet luncheon planned.
• Chicago Torch Relay Scouts Chosen, page 6. Three Sansei Explorer scouts from Chicago were selected to carry the torch for the Pan-American Games. Victor Kunisada, Takeshi Komai, and Thomas Kaihara were chosen on the basis of scholarship, scouting, and athletics.
• New Jersey Fair Housing Law Upheld by Appellate Court, page 8. A New Jersey appellate court ruled that Negroes cannot be barred from buying FHA-insured homes, rejecting claims that the state’s amended fair housing law was unconstitutional. The case involved Levitt & Sons and Green Fields Farm.
• 80-Year-Old Issei Grocer Pursues Young Bandit, Holds Him for Police, page 8. Shin Sakamoto, an 80-year-old San Francisco grocer, chased down a man who grabbed money from his counter. Police arrested the suspect after finding money hidden in the restroom where he was held.

Military & Veterans

• Joan Yasui of Oregon Attends Girls Nation, Lone Sansei There, page 1. Joan Yasui of Hood River, Oregon, was the only American of Japanese ancestry at Girls Nation in Washington. She was also elected Girls State governor of Oregon and will serve as high school student body president.

Arts & Entertainment

• UCLA Drama Student Gets Big Break in New Film Depicting Story of Alaska, page 3. George Takei, a UCLA drama student, has been cast as Wang, a Chinese cannery worker, in Warner Bros.’ film version of Edna Ferber’s novel Ice Palace. The role follows his acclaimed performance in the Playhouse 90 production Made in Japan.

Sports

• Tommy Kono Defends Own Middleweight Lift Title, page 6. Tommy Kono of Honolulu successfully defended his senior national AAU middleweight weightlifting title with a total of 905 pounds. The victory qualifies him for the Pan-American Games in Chicago.
• Chicagoans Support 1959 Pan-Am Games, page 6. The Chicago Japanese American Council responded to Mayor Daley’s appeal by hosting a benefit film program on Asian Olympics and Pan-Am Games. The event was chaired by Abe Hagiwara.

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