Vol. 57, No. 5, August 2, 1963. 4 pages. View this issue
Civil rights and immigration shared the news in this four-page issue. Senator Hiram Fong said basic changes in immigration policy were “long overdue” and joined in sponsoring the Administration’s bill, which removes national origins quotas. Inside, civil rights drew a debate: Frank Chuman explained the JACL civil rights statement to Southern California leaders, and letters and commentary from Loren Miller, Nikko Kasai and Mike Masaoka answered an editorial by Howard Imazeki.
Other items include the donation of some 30 paintings of camp life by the late George Hibi to the JACL Japanese History Project, and the renaming of the Army Language School at the Presidio of Monterey as the Defense Language Institute. Chapter news covers a Minneapolis survey on merging the Japanese Community Center with the Twin Cities JACL and a new Sacramento memorial scholarship. A Seattle protest over human relations commission appointments is also reported.
What’s in this issue
National
- Fong Co-Sponsors New Immigration Bill Submitted by President Kennedy, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Senator Hiram Fong said basic changes in American immigration policy are long overdue and he joined in sponsoring the Administration’s bill. He noted that both his S. 747 and Senator Hart’s bill are meritorious, but the President’s proposal removes national origins quotas and reallocates them through priorities.
- Racial Flare-Up Erupts in Seattle Over Clinton’s Human Relations Commission Appointments, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Mayor Clinton’s appointments to the new Seattle Human Relations Commission, including Nisei Philip Hayasaka as executive director, sparked protests and a sit-in by Negro and white pickets. Several demonstrators were arrested on charges of loitering, resisting arrest and disturbing the peace.
- Repeal of Coolie Trade Laws Sought in Congress, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Senator Clair Engle introduced legislation to repeal the so-called coolie trade laws in place since 1862, calling the term disparaging and the laws archaic. An identical bill was introduced in the House by several California and Hawaii representatives.
- Fair Housing Law Subject of Statewide Referendum Campaign, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Citizens League for Individual Freedom launched a campaign to place the recently enacted fair housing law on the ballot by referendum, needing 292,662 valid signatures. Robert Weinmann of the League criticized the name fair housing as deceptive.
- JACL Civil Rights Statement Explained; Reactions Mixed, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Former national JACL president Frank Chuman explained the JACL civil rights statement to Southern California leaders, emphasizing that Negroes are citizens entitled to equal rights. Reactions were mixed, with the Negro Dispatch publishing the statement in full while others criticized it as meek.
- Matsunaga Opposes Kennedy Tax Plan on Foreign Investments, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Rep. Spark Matsunaga opposed President Kennedy’s proposed tax on Americans’ foreign investments, warning it could push Japan toward Communist China. He sent letters to Undersecretary of State George Ball and Treasury Secretary Douglas Dillon expressing his concerns.
Incarceration & Redress
- Paintings of WRA Camp by George Hibi Donated to JACL History Project, by Marie Kuribara, page 1. The late artist George Hibi’s widow contributed some 30 oil and water color paintings depicting the evacuation and camp life to the JACL Japanese History Project. The works will be stored in San Francisco until further disposition plans are made.
Military & Veterans
- First Nisei Language School Now Called Defense Language Institute, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Army Language School at the Presidio of Monterey is now known as the Defense Language Institute, expanding its program to all armed services. The school began in 1941 training Nisei enlisted men as Japanese translators and interrogators.
- Chapter Civil Rights Panel Picked for NC-WNDC Session, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Five panelists were selected to discuss where a Nisei should stand in the current struggle for civil rights at the NC-WNDC quarterly session in Oakland. Professor Sho Sato of Boalt Hall will moderate the discussion.
Community
- Twin Citians Favor JACL-JCC Merger, by P.C. Staff, page 2. A survey of Minneapolis residents showed 81 percent in favor of merging the Japanese Community Center with the Twin Cities JACL. Recommendations for merger will be made to the respective governing boards.
- Sacramento JACL Initiates Roy N. Kurosawa Memorial Scholarship, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Sacramento JACL established a memorial scholarship funded by the parents of Roy Kurosawa, who was killed in a plane accident about three years ago. The 1963 winner was Setsuo Masuda.
- Chapter Implementation of Civil Rights Policy Delineated, by P.C. Staff, page 2. National JACL released guidelines urging chapters to actively participate in civil rights activities and coalition groups. The guidelines also call for support of the National Leadership Conference on Civil Rights and a $2,000 appropriation for the March on Washington.
Commentary
- This Is Our Voice, by Nikko Kasai, page 3. A letter writer responds to Howard Imazeki’s editorial, denying that it represented the views of most JACL members or Nisei. The writer argues that civil rights are universal and that Nisei should join in the broader struggle for equality.
- Negro Leader Asks for Understanding, by Loren Miller, page 3. A Negro writer responds to the Imazeki editorial, explaining why Negro Americans feel their long-denied rights must be secured now. He argues that Japanese Americans who suffered internment should understand the Negro’s urgency.
- Nisei Need to Speak Out on Civil Rights, Says Commentary, by Mike Masaoka, page 3. Mike Masaoka disputes the editorial, stating that the Hokubei Mainichi’s views are not representative of the JACL. He acknowledges that Japanese Americans still face housing and public accommodation discrimination.
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