Scholarship finalists and the evacuation series, July 1961

Vol. 53, No. 3, July 21, 1961. 4 pages. View this issue

The 26 candidates for the Pvt. Ben Frank Masaoka Memorial Scholarship were named on the front page of this four-page issue, along with four supplemental national JACL scholarships. In his Washington Newsletter, Mike Masaoka answered reader comments on the paper’s series about the military background of the evacuation of Japanese Americans. Drawing on Don Whitehead’s account, he argued that politics and hysteria, not factual necessity, drove the decision. Civil rights news included the Unruh Civil Rights Act being extended to aliens and federal pressure to end housing bias against African diplomats in Washington.

Elsewhere, Elmer Ogawa described a Seattle float for the Seafair Grande Parade, and Min Yasui wrote about the Issei Story project. Frank Ogawa was nominated to the Oakland Park Commission. Nisei Week preparations in Los Angeles and the upcoming IDC Convention in Pocatello, previewed by Ronald Yokota, filled the inside pages.

What’s in this issue

National

  • Prefer Top Five, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The JACL Headquarters announced the names of 26 candidates for the Pvt. Ben Frank Masaoka Memorial Scholarship. The article also discusses proposals for regional competition and the disproportionate number of chapters outside California.
  • Federal gov’t moves to end housing bias in nation’s capital, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The White House and State Department pressed Washington real estate operators to end housing discrimination against African diplomats. Officials argued the discrimination harmed American foreign policy.
  • Unruh civil rights act extended, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Governor Edmund G. Brown signed a measure extending Unruh Civil Rights Act protections to aliens. The bill changed the word citizens to persons in the act.

Incarceration & Redress

  • Comments on Evacuation Series, by Mike Masaoka, page 1. Washington Newsletter by Mike Masaoka reviews reader comments on the series about the military background of the evacuation of Japanese Americans. It draws on Don Whitehead’s account and historical sources to show that the evacuation was driven by politics and hysteria rather than factual necessity.

Military & Veterans

  • Looks Like Another Winner, by Elmer Ogawa, page 1. The Seattle Japanese community and JACL prepare a float for the Seafair Grande Parade, describing its design and the participants. The float features a mikoshi, dancers, and a queen in traditional robes.
  • Nisei elected commander of Seattle Cathay Post, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Dr. John Y. Uno was elected commander of Cathay Post 186, American Legion, in Seattle. The 36-year-old Nisei veteran served in Italy and France during World War II.
  • Federal defense contractors under government contract for fair employment, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Eight major defense companies signed agreements with the White House to promote equal employment opportunities. The agreements cover an estimated 800,000 jobs.

Community

  • Summer Interlude, by Min Yasui, page 1. Mountain-Plains JACL activities slow during summer, though a Denver community picnic is planned. The district also launches an Issei Story project to record pioneer history across the region.
  • Seek federal funds to pilot Nihongo in elementary schools, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Trustees of the Livingston Union and Ballico Elementary Schools plan to apply for funds for an eight-year pilot Japanese language program. The program would use no more than 15 minutes per day.
  • Frank Ogawa due commissioner post, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Oakland nursery operator and community leader Frank Ogawa was nominated by Mayor John C. Houlihan for appointment to the Oakland Park Commission. Ogawa helped create the Japanese garden at Lake Merritt.
  • Remodel Buchanan YMCA, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Buchanan YMCA in San Francisco, built in 1936 by members of the Japanese YMCA, will undergo extensive remodeling. Approximately $30,000 is needed for the project.
  • Akiji Yoshimura’s job as liaison for JACL Issei Story described, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Akiji Yoshimura serves as Chapter Liaison Chairman for the Issei History project, working under Shig Wakamatsu. His background includes service with Merrill’s Marauders and long involvement in JACL.
  • Nisei Week fever hits town, by Henry Mori, page 2. The Downtown Los Angeles JACL chapter held a presentation dinner for the Nisei Week Festival queen candidates. The event drew nearly 80 attendees from Little Tokyo.
  • Nisei Week fever, by P.C. Staff, page 2. A Los Angeles JACL summer event is described. The article covers local community happenings in Southern California.
  • Pocatello teens talent show winners, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Pocatello Teens of Pocatello JACL held a talent contest to select candidates for the IDC Youth Convention talent show. Winners and participants are pictured.
  • Pocatello beckons Aug. 11-12, by Ronald Yokota, page 4. Ronald Yokota, IDC Convention Chairman, previews the 11th Biennial IDC Convention and first Jr. IDC Convention in Pocatello. The program includes business sessions, banquet speakers, and youth events.

JACL

  • 26 candidates awards announced, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Twenty-six outstanding high school graduates were nominated for the 1961 Pvt. Ben Frank Masaoka Memorial Scholarship and four supplemental national JACL scholarships. The panel of judges will meet to select winners.

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