Civil rights and the Fourth of July in a four-page 1963 issue

Vol. 57, No. 2, July 12, 1963. 4 pages. View this issue

Civil rights ran through the front page of this four-page issue, which came out in the week after the Fourth of July. K. Patrick Okura’s editorial, “Let Freedom Ring,” asked Americans to treat racial discrimination as a moral question and urged JACL members to examine their own consciences and back the national JACL civil rights position. Howard M. Imazeki addressed Negro neighbors in a column recalling the wartime incarceration of Nisei, and Mike Masaoka’s Washington Newsletter followed civil rights and immigration bills as Congress returned. A news report covered anti-discrimination laws adopted by at least 11 state legislatures.

Other items include a special youth meeting in Salt Lake City on forming a national JACL youth organization, a call from Representative Edward R. Roybal to honor Japanese American servicemen, and Bill Hosokawa’s report on a new Denver savings and loan. The Bank of Tokyo’s purchase of its Little Tokyo building, and Tommy Kono’s 11th AAU weightlifting title, also made the paper.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• Let Freedom Ring, by K. Patrick Okura, page 1. The editorial urges Americans to confront racial discrimination as a moral issue on the Fourth of July, observing that the Liberty Bell’s message rings hollow while civil rights are denied. It calls on JACL members to personally examine their consciences and support the national JACL civil rights position.
• This Is Our Voice: An Editorial Comment to Our Negro Neighbors, by Howard M. Imazeki, page 2. Imazeki, English editor of the Hokubei Mainichi, reflects on the wartime incarceration of Nisei and urges Negro leaders to undertake self-examination regarding community problems. He argues that both self-improvement and the breaking down of social barriers should proceed together.
• Rep. Roybal Urges 1963 Commemoration Honoring Japanese American Servicemen, by Edward R. Roybal, page 4. Congressman Roybal calls for commemoration of Japanese American servicemen who served in WWII and Korea. He describes the honor of attending Arlington National Cemetery services for the 442nd.

JACL

• Special Youth Meeting, by K. Patrick Okura, page 1. The National Youth Commissioner reports on a special youth meeting in Salt Lake City that considered forming a national JACL youth organization by 1964. The youth adopted a systematic approach, forming committees and reaffirming the goal while weighing local and district realities.
• History Project Schedule Pushed Ahead Slightly, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The JACL-UCLA Japanese History Project requests progress reports from chapters on locating letters, diaries, and documentary materials. Collection of materials will begin sooner than originally scheduled.

National

• 11 State Legislatures Adopt Civil Rights-Type Measures, page 1. At least 11 state legislatures this year adopted anti-discrimination law changes, mostly in Northern states. The report covers public accommodations, housing laws in New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Maryland, and repeal of anti-miscegenation laws in Utah and Nebraska.
• Congress Returns, Civil Rights Legislation Gathers Pace, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Masaoka’s Washington Newsletter reports that Congress returned from recess with civil rights and immigration bills pending in committee. Hearings on the President’s civil rights program and immigration revisions are underway.
• Civil Rights Fire Spreads to Kentucky Governor’s Executive Order, page 2. Kentucky Governor Combs issued an executive order banning discrimination by businesses licensed by the state. Opposition from tavern keepers and others has led to controversy over its constitutionality.
• Teenagers Held for Robbing Dead Issei, page 3. Five teenage boys in Gresham, Oregon are held for robbing Benzo Oye, a 78-year-old retired farm hand found dead in his home. Authorities are deciding whether to try the boys as juveniles or adults.

Military & Veterans

• Nisei Aboard One of U.S. Tuna Seiners Seized by Ecuadoran Boats, page 1. Veteran fisherman Frank Shundo returned from the Ecuadoran tuna dispute, during which gunboats seized two seiners and assessed fines. The fleet’s catch sat unsold amid a price dispute with canners.
• Ex-Tacoma Nisei Earns Army Lieutenant-Colonelcy, page 3. Chuck Tadao Nakata, a career Army intelligence officer, was promoted to lieutenant colonel after more than twenty years of service. He saw action in the South Pacific and in Korea.

Community

• Five of 12 Selected for Initial Japanese Summer Institute at Seton Hall Are Nisei, page 1. Twelve high school teachers were chosen for a Japanese and Chinese language summer institute at Seton Hall University, five of them Nisei. The intensive program runs July 1 to August 23 and is financed by Carnegie Corp.
• Public Expecting More from 442 Vet Club, Says Club Bulletin, page 1. The Honolulu 442 Veterans Club bulletin suggests the club take a fresh look at its policies and goals as members age. It proposes activities such as a clubhouse and scholarships while noting the upcoming fourth Nisei Veterans Reunion.
• Bank of Tokyo Purchases Little Tokyo Building It Has Occupied Since Opening for $500,000, page 3. Bank of Tokyo of California purchased its Los Angeles branch building at 120-140 S. San Pedro for $500,000. The building was originally constructed in 1933 for the Yokohama Specie Bank.
• Sansei Architect Named to Landscape L.A. Park, page 3. Russell Y. Iwanaga, a USC graduate, was named chief landscape architect for the new West Jefferson Park development in Los Angeles. The project is one of 13 proposed city redevelopment undertakings.
• Merced JC Trustees Cite Work of Its Chairman, page 3. Merced Junior College trustees presented chairman Buddy Iwata with a gavel for his contributions beyond the call of duty. The board worked to situate the campus while permanent buildings are expected by 1965.
• High School Dropouts in Japan About Same as U.S. Percentage; TV Offers Solution, page 3. Dr. Ray Olpin, president of the University of Utah, reported after a Japan tour that Japanese high school dropout rates match American rates. He noted Japan’s use of television courses to help dropouts earn diplomas.
• St. Louis Ponders Presentation of Festival, page 4. The St. Louis JACL board is weighing a festival presentation contingent on membership goals before the National convention. Chapter membership drive efforts are emphasized.
• Philadelphia JACL Holds Banquet for 1963 Officers, page 4. The Philadelphia JACL honored its 1963 officers at a banquet attended by Congressman Spark Matsunaga and Mike Masaoka. Chapter activities and fundraising are described.

Arts & Entertainment

• Yum-Yum, Nanki-Poo and Mikado for Seafair Float, by Elmer Ogawa, page 2. The Japanese Community Seafair float for 1963 depicts Gilbert and Sullivan’s Mikado characters with a waterfall and orchids. The float is 47 feet long and features the 1963 Seafair princesses.
• Gibraltar Savings & Loan Opens in Denver, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Hosokawa reports on the founding of Gibraltar Savings and Loan in Denver, a predominantly Nisei-led institution with a diverse stockholder base. He notes the significance of Nisei financial leadership gaining community backing.

Sports

• Weightlifter Kono Wins 11th AAU Championship, page 3. Tommy Kono, two-time Olympic champion, won the light heavyweight senior National AAU weightlifting title in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. It was his 11th AAU lifting title.

Thank you for exploring the Pacific Citizen archive. The title, introduction and contents on this page were written by an AI model from scans of the printed issue, so they may contain mistakes. If you spot one, we would be grateful if you let us know.