Vol. 55, No. 23, December 7, 1962. 4 pages. View this issue
Idaho’s election dominated this four-page issue. Unofficial county tallies showed voters approved SJR 1, removing the constitutional bar that kept naturalized Issei citizens from voting, serving as jurors or holding civil office. Editor Mas Yonemura credited JACL chapter work across the state. Elsewhere, Sig Wakamatsu reported that the JACL Japanese American History Project fund passed $200,000, and Mike Masaoka wrote about how civil rights advocates planned to press their agenda when the new Congress convened in January.
Chapter life fills much of the front page: a joint installation dinner-dance in Salt Lake City with National JACL President Dr. Raymond Uyeda as speaker, plans for the Central California District Council convention in Fresno, and a column by Min Tani. Inside, Larry Tajiri wrote about the Berkeley City Council ordering a draft anti-bias housing law, and Bert Kobayashi was sworn in as Hawaii’s attorney general.
What’s in this issue
Community
- Salt Lake JACL, Olympus JACL and MIA Olympus Chapter Install Officers, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Officers of the Salt Lake JACL, Olympus JACL and MIA Olympus chapters were installed at a joint dinner-dance Saturday night at the Hotel Terrace. National JACL President Dr. Raymond Uyeda served as the principal speaker at the ceremony.
- Central California District Councillors Plan Convention, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Central California District Council prepared for its annual convention to be held Sunday at the Elks Lodge in Fresno. New chapter presidents and officers for 1963 were announced, and installation ceremonies were planned for the convention banquet.
- History Project Fund Tops $200,000, by Sig Wakamatsu, page 1. The JACL Japanese American History Project fund passed the $200,000 milestone, with Chicago JACL now over its $5,000 quota. National finance chairman Sig Wakamatsu thanked the chapters and members for their generous contributions.
- EDC Adopts New Budget; Chapter Quota Undetermined, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Eastern District Council adopted a new budget at its meeting, and chapter quotas for the year were left to be determined. The council discussed allocations for the coming year.
- Generosity, Diligence Prevail in Campaign, page 1. The History Project campaign reached its goal through the generosity and diligence of chapter members across the country. Organizers thanked the many volunteers who made the milestone possible.
- Olympia Wash. Carries Four Washington Counties, page 1. Official certification of election results from Washington state was reported for several counties. The article summarizes the returns from the counties involved.
- Idaho Voters Approve SJR 1 Repealing Alien Land Restriction, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Unofficial county tallies show Idaho voters approved SJR 1, which removed the constitutional prohibition against naturalized Issei citizens voting, serving as jurors or holding civil office. JACL chapters across the state credited local campaign efforts for the favorable margins.
- Bert Kobayashi Sworn In as Hawaii Attorney General, page 2. Bert T. Kobayashi was sworn in as Hawaii’s attorney general by Governor John A. Burns. He is the first Nisei to hold the post in the state’s cabinet.
- Seattle JACL and Other Chapter News Briefs, page 3. Brief news items from several JACL chapters report on recent events and activities. The items cover chapter meetings and community programs.
- Berkeley City Council Orders Draft of Anti-Bias Housing Law, by Larry Tajiri, page 3. The Berkeley City Council directed the drafting of an anti-bias housing ordinance with enforcement provisions, supported by a coalition of organizations including the local JACL chapter. The measure aims to prohibit discrimination in housing sales and rentals.
- Freewheeling on the Freeways, page 4. The Southwest Region column reports on youth leadership activities and upcoming chapter programs. It also notes chapter standings and recent JACL events in the region.
- Intermountain DC Youth Begin Groundwork to Establish National Youth JACL Agency, page 4. Youth representatives from the Intermountain District Council began planning to establish a national youth agency within JACL. The groundwork was laid at a meeting focused on youth programming and organization.
Commentary
- Here I Come California, by Min Tani, page 1. Min Tani, PSWDC chairman, reports on visiting Central California District Council gatherings and reflects on the responsibilities of JACL membership. He emphasizes that the organization’s continued service to the community depends on members who understand their cultural heritage.
- Washington Newsletter: Civil Rights Battles, by Mike Masaoka, page 1. Mike Masaoka reports that civil rights advocates are preparing to press their legislative agenda when the new Congress convenes in January. He explains that the House Rules Committee and Senate procedure are the principal obstacles that must be overcome.
- Editor’s Desk, by Mas Yonemura, page 2. The editor reviews the Idaho election results and the JACL campaign to repeal the constitutional ban on naturalized Issei voting and holding office. The editorial credits chapter efforts across the state for the strong majority.
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