Five weeks before the 1960 JACL convention in Sacramento

Vol. 50, No. 22, May 27, 1960. 8 pages. View this issue

Preparations for the 16th Biennial JACL Convention in Sacramento, set for June 28 to July 2, filled this eight-page issue. Nominations for “Nisei of the Biennium” included Congressman Daniel K. Inouye and Stephen Tamura, and Frank Oda was named for “JACLer of the Biennium.” Pages carried the youth program, the Hotel El Dorado, golf entries, and an editorial urging members not to let Sacramento’s summer heat keep them away. Mike Masaoka’s Memorial Day column honored the more than 83,000 Japanese Americans who served in World War II, especially the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and the Washington chapter planned a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns.

Bill Hosokawa wrote from Paris about the collapsed Summit Conference and, in a lighter column, about hotels, menus and a Moulin Rouge revue. Elsewhere were a Santa Clara County housing discrimination suit by Mrs. Emi Shimizu, Seattle’s drive to repeal Washington’s alien land law, and youth track results from Denver and West Los Angeles.

What’s in this issue

JACL

• Congressman Inouye, County Counsel Tamura Nominated for ‘Nisei of the Biennium’, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Congressman Daniel K. Inouye and Orange County Counsel Stephen Tamura were among candidates nominated for ‘Nisei of the Biennium,’ with the June 1 deadline noted. Frank Oda of Sonoma County was also nominated for ‘JACLer of the Biennium.’

Military & Veterans

• JACL Wreath at Unknown Soldier Tomb Set for Memorial Day, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Washington, D.C. JACL chapter will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington on Memorial Day, as it has since 1946. Chapter members will also visit and decorate the graves of the 20 Nisei war dead interred there.
• Memorial Day, 1960, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Masaoka reflects on the service and sacrifice of more than 83,000 Japanese Americans in World War II, especially the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. He urges Japanese Americans to honor the Nisei war dead on Memorial Day.

Community

• Kay Nakagiri Voted PSWDC Head; New Look on Chapter Quotas Taken, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Kay Nakagiri of San Fernando Valley JACL was installed as chairman of the Pacific Southwest District Council along with a new executive board. The council also considered a sliding-scale proposal for computing chapter convention quotas.
• CCDC Joins Veteran Groups to Remember Nisei War Dead, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Central California JACL District Council, Sierra Nisei Post, and Hanford Liberty Post agreed to cooperate on civic ventures, including Memorial Day services at Roeding Park. The groups also planned a testimonial dinner for Congressman Daniel Inouye.
• Youth Program for Convention at Sacramento Set, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Jr. JACL Convention Board announced the complete youth program schedule for the Sacramento convention. Pre-registration for the youth package deal is available until June 1.
• Hotel El Dorado Convention Site Known for Food, Service, Hospitality, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Hotel El Dorado in Sacramento, headquarters for the 16th Biennial JACL Convention, offers conference facilities, a four-acre lake, and air-conditioned rooms. The host committee reserved a block of rooms for convention attendees.
• ‘Go Like 60 in the ’60s’ Theme of MDC Pre-Convention Meeting at Milwaukee, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Midwest District Council prepared a pre-convention conference in Milwaukee with national officers attending. The agenda included finalizing recommendations to be presented at the national convention in Sacramento.
• Philadelphia Folk Fair, by Jack Ozawa, page 5. The Philadelphia JACL participated in the fourth annual International Institute Folk Fair, drawing 15,000 attendees. Japanese exhibits, food booths, dance, and demonstrations were highly popular attractions.
• Oakland CL Seeking Uniform Action for Emergency Situations, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Oakland JACL reported 126 members from its membership campaign and sought cooperation among Japanese American churches and organizations. The goal is a uniform response to civic matters and emergency situations.
• Men, Women Golfers to Vie at Convention Tournament, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The National JACL Convention golf tournament extended its entry deadline to May 31, with a $8 entry fee. About 75 golfers had signed up with up to 180 expected to compete.
• PSWDC Pre-Convention Rally, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Pacific Southwest District Council held its pre-convention rally in Anaheim with installation of officers and a banquet address by Dr. Robert Shuler Jr. The council also discussed quota formulas and a proposal to cover Pacific Citizen subscriptions through membership dues.
• Frank K. Oda Nominated for JACLer of the Biennium, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Sonoma County JACL nominated Frank K. Oda, a chapter member since 1937, for JACLer of the Biennium. Oda has served as chapter president, 1000 Club chairman, and led numerous chapter activities.
• Sansei Beauty Picked as Volunteer Fire Co. Queen, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Reiko Murakami was crowned the first beauty queen of the Seabrook Volunteer Fire Co. in New Jersey. She will ride with the fire company in parades throughout the year.
• Northwest Picture, by Elmer Ogawa, page 7. Ogawa reports on Seattle and Puyallup JACL efforts to raise funds for repeal of the Washington alien land law, nearing $15,000. He also describes a young Seattle orator who declined to advance to the District contest.

Commentary

• Let’s Talk About Convention Weather, by H.H., page 1. The editorial urges members not to let concerns about Sacramento’s summer heat keep them from attending the 16th Biennial JACL Convention. It notes the convention program and facilities are strong and weather is unpredictable.
• Very Truly Yours, by Harry K. Honda, page 2. Editor Harry Honda comments on the Sacramento convention’s upcoming events and pre-registration deadline and reflects on two Nisei newspapermen’s travel reports of Japan. He contrasts their positive accounts with a non-Nisei reporter’s view of persistent poverty in Japan.
• From the Frying Pan, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Hosokawa offers light observations from Paris on hotel customs, a Chinese restaurant’s French-language menu, and a Japanese revue at the Moulin Rouge. He also reflects on the Arc de Triomphe as a monument to sorrow rather than triumph.
• The People vs. CTA, by Ruth Kumata, page 6. Guest columnist Ruth Kumata humorously describes the frustrations of waiting for Chicago buses in winter and offers philosophical coping strategies. She frames the CTA as a daily challenge for all Chicagoans.

National

• Hosokawa at Summit Conference, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Hosokawa reports from Paris on the collapse of the Eisenhower-Khrushchev Summit after the U2 spy plane incident. He argues that the American delegation went in defensive and lacked a positive strategy.
• Shimizu Family Fights Housing Discrimination in Santa Clara County, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Mrs. Emi Shimizu of San Francisco filed suit after builders of the Country Lane Homes tract refused to sell her a house because of her ancestry. The developers denied discrimination, saying the model was sold out.
• National JACL Officials Invite Californians to Sacramento Convention, by JACL News Service, page 8. National JACL President Shig Wakamatsu and other officials visited Washington congressional leaders to invite them to the 16th Biennial Convention in Sacramento. They also discussed repeal of California’s anti-alien land law and other issues of concern to Japanese Americans.

Sports

• Denver Nisei Vaults for Record, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Eddie Mayeda of East High set a new Denver city pole vault record of 12 feet 8 inches. Doug Uyemura of East High also won the 880-yard race.
• 80 Youngsters Compete in West L.A. JACL Athletic Carnival, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The West L.A. JACL chapter held a successful youth track meet at University High with about 80 participants. Several athletes won multiple events across divisions.

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