Vol. 56, No. 25, June 21, 1963. 4 pages. View this issue
Civil rights ran through this four-page issue. The front-page editorial called President Kennedy’s new civil rights bill a risky but necessary step after the Alabama standoff and the murder of Medgar Evers. Senator Hiram Fong warned that the filibuster could make the bills hard to pass. JACL President K. Patrick Okura urged the National Board to take a public stand, while Mike Masaoka argued that JACL should support legitimate legislation but could not lead the movement. Letters from H. Quintus Sakai and Tetsuro Tanabe added more views.
Other front-page news covered a two-hour House session on June 11 in which fourteen congressmen praised the 442nd and other Japanese American soldiers of World War II. Sixty Sansei were nominated for JACL National Scholarships. Larry Tajiri wrote about Flower Drum Song returning to Las Vegas, and chapter news and graduate honors fill the back page.
What’s in this issue
Commentary
- New Civil Rights Bill, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The editorial argues that President Kennedy’s civil rights bill is a risky but necessary step after the Alabama standoff and the murder of Medgar Evers. It contends that denying Negro Americans equal rights is a moral and national crisis that must be resolved by law.
- We Urge the National JACL Board to Take an Immediate and Forthright Stand on Civil Rights, by K. Patrick Okura, page 2. JACL President K. Patrick Okura urges the National Board to take a clear public stand on civil rights. He calls for emergency district council sessions and chapter programs to support the civil rights movement.
- Yesterday and Today, by Hisako Nakamura, page 2. The columnist compares the African independence movement with the American Negro struggle for civil rights. The piece argues that the United States should guarantee African Americans the same basic freedoms it extends to visiting dignitaries.
- On the Question of Equal Rights, by H. Quintus Sakai, M.D., page 2. In a letter to the editor, Dr. Sakai calls on JACL to speak out for equal rights and urges the National Board to act. He argues that the cause of civil rights deserves the organization’s support.
- Kuchel’s Speech, by Tetsuro Tanabe, M.D., page 2. A letter to the editor criticizes the decision to reprint Senator Kuchel’s speech in full and challenges the Pacific Citizen’s editorial role. The writer also questions the claims made about conservatives and civil rights.
- Civil Rights Bills and the Sen. Fong Message (Continued), by P.C. Staff, page 2. Continuing Senator Fong’s statement, the article notes that a wide range of civil rights measures remain pending in Congress. It expresses confidence that presidential support could help pass them.
- Stephen Murata Honored at Stanford, page 4. Stephen Murata, son of a former JACL medallion recipient, will graduate from Stanford with honors and a commission in the Air Force. He will return to Stanford for a master’s degree on a fellowship.
Military & Veterans
- Boise Valley JACLers Visit Washington, page 1. Ted Yamashita of Caldwell, Idaho, is pictured with his family and Senator Frank Church after graduating from West Point. He is believed to be the first Idahoan of Japanese ancestry to graduate from a U.S. military academy.
- Unprecedented Gesture of Goodwill to Japanese Americans and JACL as 14 Congressmen Spend 2 Hours Praising Nisei GI Record, by Special to the Pacific Citizen, page 1. On June 11, fourteen congressmen paid tribute to Japanese American veterans of World War II during a two-hour special House session. Speakers recounted the exploits of Nisei soldiers, including the 442nd and Medal of Honor recipients.
- Congressional Tributes Continued, page 3. Continuing the report on the June 11 House tribute, the article describes speeches by numerous congressmen praising Japanese American soldiers and their families. It recounts tributes to the 442nd, Medal of Honor recipients, and Nisei intelligence work.
National
- Civil Rights Bills in Senate Remain Tough to Pass With Filibuster, Sen. Fong Declares, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Senator Hiram Fong urged President Kennedy and Congress to act quickly on civil rights bills to address racial violence. He warned that the filibuster makes meaningful civil rights legislation more difficult to enact.
- Civil Rights Bills in Senate (Continued), by P.C. Staff, page 2. Senator Fong’s message to President Kennedy praised the administration’s civil rights efforts before the Mayors’ Conference address. Fong also co-sponsored S. 1693 to empower the Attorney General to act against deprivations of constitutional rights.
JACL
- JACL and Civil Rights Today, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The article argues that JACL must quickly review its national program on civil rights given rising racial tensions. It concludes that JACL’s role will be that of a willing participant rather than a leader in the struggle.
- 60 Sansei Nominated for JACL National Scholarships, by Special to the Pacific Citizen, page 1. Sixty high-achieving Sansei graduates were nominated by 43 JACL chapters for the 1963 National JACL Scholarship competition. The article lists the candidates and the chapters that nominated them.
- P.R. Aspect of the June 2 Services, by John Y. Yoshino, page 2. JACL public relations chairman John Yoshino reports on press coverage of the 20th Anniversary Commemorative Services, including national wire and newspaper stories. He credits local chapters and Japanese American press for follow-up coverage.
- Director’s Report, by Mike Masaoka, page 4. The National Director reports on membership totals, the 1963 financial results, the Japanese History Project at UCLA, and public relations activities. He notes that national membership is near 16,500.
- Masaoka: JACL’s Role in Civil Rights, by Mike Masaoka, page 4. Masaoka argues that JACL should support legitimate civil rights legislation and educate members but cannot lead the movement. He recommends that chapters consider participation in civil rights demonstrations case by case.
Community
- Nisei Commands IX Corps Headquarters, Joins SEATO Maneuvers, page 1. Ninety-four local Army Reservists of IX Corps Headquarters, commanded by Col. Sakae Takahashi, are taking part in SEATO maneuvers in Thailand. Col. Hiro Higuchi is also making the trip.
- Japanese Methodist Provisional Group Holds Final Meeting, page 3. The Japanese Provisional Conference of Methodist churches on the West Coast holds its final meeting before merging into regional conferences. The article notes the history and structure of Japanese Methodist churches.
- Nisei Architects in St. Louis Kept Busy, page 3. A St. Louis JACL newsletter item reports that a Nisei architectural firm was chosen to design Rock Hill’s new city hall and library. Other local Nisei architects have also received recent honors.
- Boise Valley JACLers Visit Washington, page 3. The family of newly commissioned Army Lt. Ted Yamashita tours Washington, D.C., after his West Point graduation. Senator Frank Church arranged the appointment and hosted the family in the Senate Dining Room.
- Drive to Have Japanese Taught in Private Schools Accredited Gains Momentum, page 3. A bill to accredit foreign language courses taught in private schools, including Japanese, passed the California Legislature. The measure now awaits the Governor’s signature.
- Youth Councils and Other Chapter News, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Youth representatives from various JACL District Youth Councils met in Salt Lake City to organize a national Junior JACL organization. The article describes the meeting, its participants, and the youth’s discussion of JACL purposes.
- Downtown L.A. JACLers Briefed by Dodger Veep, page 4. Richard Walsh, vice president of the Dodgers, spoke to thirty members of the Downtown Los Angeles JACL chapter about baseball. The chapter also decided to co-sponsor a Nisei Week concert with the Japan America Society.
- Nisei Youth Receive Scholarship and Award Honors, page 4. Several Nisei students received scholarships and awards at high school commencements and from JACL chapters. The article lists winners in Fowler, Placer County, and other communities.
- Snake River Valley JACL Honors Graduates, page 4. The Snake River Valley JACL honored the memory of the late Rep. Grant Garner and recognized Sansei valedictorians at its graduation dinner. Graduates from several Idaho and Oregon high schools were named.
Arts & Entertainment
- ‘Flower Drum Song’ Back at Vegas, by Larry Tajiri, page 3. Jack Soo and other original cast members return to the Thunderbird Hotel in Las Vegas for a summer engagement of Flower Drum Song. The column also covers Nisei achievements in the arts and mysteries.
Sports
- Hasegawa Cops First Tourney of Champions, page 3. Dr. Sus Hasegawa won the first Tournament of Champions golf event sponsored by the Chicago JACL and the Chicago Golf Council. The article lists the scores and winners of the tournament.
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