Civil rights legislation and a new year of JACL chapter installations

Vol. 50, No. 4, January 22, 1960. 8 pages. View this issue

Civil rights legislation led this eight-page issue. JACL joined a 50-organization Leadership Conference delegation that lobbied Washington leaders for strong legislation, and Mike Masaoka wrote in his Washington Newsletter that JACL carries a special responsibility in the struggle because of Japanese Americans’ wartime experience. An editorial on the front page took up the population question, arguing that foreign aid and family planning are separate matters. Barry K. Honda’s Editor’s Desk looked at Sansei identity and at youth as a planning concern for JACL.

Much of the issue covers chapter life: new officers installed at Contra Costa, San Luis Obispo, Boise Valley, Rexburg and Venice-Culver, and Parlier’s plans for its 25th year. Also inside: the call for Nisei of the Biennium nominations, ahead of the Sacramento National Convention, the Denver bowling tournament, and Masaoka’s piece marking 100 years of U.S.-Japan relations.

What’s in this issue

National

• Population Problem, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The editorial argues that foreign aid and population control are distinct issues, and that family planning decisions belong to individuals rather than being imposed from outside. It notes Japan’s sharp birth-rate decline after aid and urges continued Western support in the Cold War.
• JACL pushing for meaningful civil rights, by Mike Masaoka, page 1. JACL joined a 50-organization Leadership Conference delegation lobbying Washington leaders for strong civil rights legislation. The delegation pressed for amendments including federal prosecution for bombing religious buildings, injunctive relief, and federal registrars for disenfranchised areas.
• U.S. Civil Rights Commission to hold hearings in Los Angeles and San Francisco, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights will hold hearings on racial discrimination in Los Angeles and San Francisco in January. Nisei witnesses such as Haruo Sahara and Frank Chuman may be asked to testify.
• Nisei candidates for service academies named by Inouye, Fong, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Hawaii Senator Fong and Representative Inouye named Nisei candidates for admission to West Point, Annapolis, and the Air Force Academy. Hawaii now has at least six candidates per academy following statehood.

Community

• Nat’l JACL invites contributions for Annie Clo Watson social worker fund, by P.C. Staff, page 1. National JACL invited donations to the Annie Clo Watson Scholarship Fund for social workers, honoring her wartime assistance to Japanese Americans. Contributions are tax-deductible and will be forwarded to the San Francisco International Institute.
• Downtown L.A. has 2nd Issei president, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Downtown Los Angeles JACL chose naturalized Issei Katsuma Mukueda as its president, succeeding Gongoro Nakamura. Mukueda was among the first Southland Japanese naturalized after the Walter-McCarran Act.
• MAY 15 DEADLINE ANNOUNCED FOR NISEI AND JACLER BIENNIUM NOMINEES, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Nominations for the Nisei of the Biennium and JACLer of the Biennium awards are due May 15 for presentation at the Sacramento National Convention. The article outlines the award categories, selection procedures, and eligibility rules.
• Denver bowling tournament entries must be postmarked by midnight, Jan. 24, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Entries for the 4th annual National JACL Bowling Tournament in Denver must be postmarked by January 24. The tournament will feature mixed doubles, sweepers, and a banquet at the Hilton Hotel.
• Parlier chapter to celebrate 25th year, by Bill Tsuji, page 1. The Parlier JACL plans a Silver Anniversary dinner later in the year to mark its 25th year. The chapter also donated folding chairs to the local church in appreciation for use of its facilities.
• Japanese delegation and centennial ships to commemorate 1860 Kanrin Maru voyage, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 3. Two Japanese training ships, the Nippon Maru and Baiyo Maru, will sail to the US for centennial commemorations of the Kanrin Maru’s 1860 crossing. The article also traces descendants of Lt. John Brooke and interpreter Gohachiro Namura.
• Florin JACL to host NC-WNDC quarterly meeting, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Florin JACL will host the first quarterly meeting of the Northern California-Western Nevada-Idaho District Council on Feb. 7. The program includes registration, business sessions, and a banquet with a presentation by Aero Jet Corporation.
• Reedley JACL selects committee chairmen for social, civic events slated this year, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Reedley JACL cabinet named chairmen for membership, community picnic, car wash, softball, and fall benefit events. Membership drive kicks off at the Jan. 25 general meeting.
• Hollywood chapter announces seven for board nominations, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Hollywood JACL nominations committee presented a slate of seven candidates for two-year board terms. The initial 1960 board meeting will be held January 27 to elect officers.
• Jr. JACL program at convention seen, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Sacramento Jr. JACL asked chapters to report by Jan. 31 whether they have affiliated youth groups to help host the 1960 National Convention. The convention is set for June 28-July 3 at the Hotel El Dorado.
• Ken Kitasako heads San Luis Obispo JACL, by P.C. Staff, page 4. San Luis Obispo JACL installed Ken Kitasako and his 1960 cabinet at a dinner at Baywood Lodge on Jan. 15. The event was led by outgoing president Ben Kitasako and officers were sworn in by Mrs. George Fujikawa.
• San Jose JACL reveal installation dinner site, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The San Jose JACL will hold its installation dinner on February 5 in the Safari Room of the Bowlarium. The article describes the decorations and program planned by the chapter officials.
• Contra Costa JACL to install officers, Enomoto to speak, by George Sugihara, page 5. The Contra Costa JACL held its eighth annual installation dinner with Sam Kitabayashi as president. Jerry Enomoto discussed planning for the next decade.
• Watsonville JACL membership drive, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Watsonville JACL launched its membership drive in February with Tets Tominaga as chairman. The chapter also plans a Fourth of July parade entry, a dance, youth activities, and a benefit movie night.
• Kaz Adachi voted Venice-Culver head, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Kaz Adachi was elected 1960 president of the Venice-Culver JACL, with installation scheduled for February 6. National JACL leader Dr. Roy Nishikawa will be the principal speaker at the dinner.
• Enomoto to speak on ’60-’70 Planning, by George Sugihara, page 5. The Contra Costa JACL installation was scheduled for January 22 at Yamato Sukiyaki in San Francisco. Jerry Enomoto was the main speaker on planning for the next decade.
• Akiji Yoshimura to install Oakland JACL, Jr. JACL officers, by P.C. Staff, page 5. National First Vice President Akiji Yoshimura will install the combined Oakland JACL and Jr. JACL officers on January 23. Dr. Lester Reukema will speak on his role in developing the atomic bomb.
• Boise Valley JACL holds ’60 elections, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Masao Yamashita was installed as 1960 president of the Boise Valley JACL at a January dinner-dance. The article lists the other officers and board members.
• Rexburg JACL chapter installs officers, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Rexburg JACL installed its new officers at a banquet, with Kiyoshi Sakota as installing officer. Fini Hikida was honored with a JACL silver pin for his service.
• West L.A. JACL dance class starting Jan. 25, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The West Los Angeles JACL will offer a mixed dancing class on alternate Mondays starting January 25. Instructor Joe Fletcher previously taught classes for Southwest L.A. and Long Beach JACL.
• Financial Statement and Profit and Loss, National JACL Credit Union, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The National JACL Credit Union reported its financial statement and profit and loss results for 1959. The credit union had total assets of about $434,000 and a net profit of over $21,000.
• Chicago newsletter: Dance and Washington D.C. installation banquet, by Myke Kosobayashi, page 6. Myke Kosobayashi reports on the Washington D.C. JACL installation banquet ball at the Bethesda Country Club, where Mike Masaoka spoke. The article also describes the guests and the attendees’ traditional costumes.
• Northwest Nisei keg champions, by Elmer Ogawa, page 6. Seattle bowlers won a major share of trophies at the 13th annual Northwest Nisei Invitational bowling tournament held at Imperial Lanes. Teams and individuals from Portland, Moses Lake, and Wapato also took top honors.
• San Francisco JACLer forms advertising group, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The advertising agency Fitch and Aizawa was appointed to handle advertising for GET (Government Employes Together) of San Francisco. The firm also represents Bank of Tokyo of California.
• Fisherman swept off rock by wave drowns at sea, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Bill Hashigami, a Campbell berry farmer, drowned when a wave swept him off a fishing rock at Lighthouse Point in Santa Cruz. Bystanders were unable to reach him in time.
• Los Angeles newsletter: Blue Chip stamps and Japanese Chamber of Commerce board, by Henry Mori, page 7. Henry Mori’s newsletter discusses a current flu epidemic, the new East Los Angeles JACL president Mabel Yoshizaki, and the popularity of Blue Chip trading stamps. It also lists the new directors of the Southern California Japanese Chamber of Commerce.
• No panic at Arctic icefloe, by Kevin Delany, page 8. Air Force radioman Ted Narasaki of Richmond recounts the evacuation of Station Charlie, an ice floe in the Arctic Ocean, in January. He says the men remained calm while the Air Force evacuated them by plane.
• Mike Masaoka reports on world tour and Japan’s economic resurgence, by Kevin Delany, page 8. Mike Masaoka described Japan’s extraordinary economic recovery at a Washington D.C. JACL dinner after a two-month world tour. He also reported on his visits to India, the Soviet Union, and Europe.
• Rev. Iyoya in New York, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Rev. Nicholas Iyoya, former pastor of Grace Presbyterian Church in Long Beach, was inaugurated as Nisei minister of the United Church of Christ in New York. The service took place at Grace Methodist Church.
• Calendar of upcoming JACL events, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The page lists upcoming chapter installations, dinners, and district council meetings in January and February 1960. Events include installations in Oakland, San Jose, Detroit, and Sacramento.

Commentary

• Editor’s Desk, by Barry K. Honda, page 2. The editorial reflects on Sansei identity struggles reported by Rev. Min Mochizuki and highlights youth as a key issue for JACL planning. It also cites John Yoshino’s report on federal government influence in ending job discrimination in Washington, D.C.
• Meaningful civil rights bill, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The article reports on the Leadership Conference delegation’s meetings with congressional leaders and the minimum provisions it sought in civil rights legislation. Leaders expressed varied commitments to an open rule and discharge petition.
• Congressman Speaks; Listen He’s Playing Our Song, by H.H., page 2. The column responds to a Planned Parenthood and population debate, rejecting bigoted arguments about birth control and race. It asserts that civil rights must apply to all regardless of race, color, or creed.
• By the Board, by Lily A. Okura, page 4. National Board secretary Lily Okura reflects on her years in Omaha and recounts travels to East and West Coast JACL events. She describes the pleasure of the Midwest community and the hospitality received during regional conferences.
• Washington Newsletter: Fight for civil rights, by Mike Masaoka, page 7. Masaoka argues that JACL has a special responsibility in the civil rights struggle because of Japanese Americans’ wartime experience. He says meaningful legislation affects America’s standing with the non-white majority of the world.
• Century of U.S.-Japan Relations, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Masaoka marks the 100th anniversary of US-Japan diplomatic relations and reviews the new Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security signed in Washington. He describes Japan’s postwar rise and urges continued goodwill between the two nations.

Arts & Entertainment

• Sculptor Noguchi commissioned to design landscaped sculpture garden in Jerusalem, by Toru Kanazawa, page 3. Isamu Noguchi was commissioned to design a sculpture garden in Jerusalem to house Billy Rose’s gift of about 50 artworks to the Israel Museum. The garden will sit on a five-acre site near the Hebrew University.
• Kuma Dan opera set for American premiere, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Kiyoshi Dan’s prize-winning opera Yuzuru will have its American premiere at Hunter College Playhouse in June as part of the US-Japan centennial. A benefit preview will precede the performances.

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