Vol. 57, No. 22, November 29, 1963. 4 pages. View this issue
The assassination of President John F. Kennedy shaped this four-page issue. An editorial mourned him, and national JACL leaders and Hawaii’s congressional representatives sent condolence messages. Mike Masaoka wrote about why Kennedy held a special place for Japanese Americans and what the Nisei could expect from President Lyndon B. Johnson. The editor, in Ye Editor’s Desk, recalled hearing the news during a JACL history project meeting.
Elsewhere, the Mountain-Plains District Council prepared to honor five Japanese Americans and three Omaha women at its Denver convention, with Bill Hosokawa chairing the selection committee. Other stories covered the Central California installation dinner with Judge John F. Aiso, the California Real Estate Commission and the Rumford Act, a new president for the Downtown L.A. JACL, and plans for a Japanese Cultural and Trade Center in San Francisco. Jack Mayeda wrote on the youth program, and Hito Okada urged members to attend the Detroit national convention.
What’s in this issue
National
- Mountain-Plains DC to Honor Outstanding Japanese Americans; Sen. Dominick, Marutani to Address Convention Delegates, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Mountain-Plains District Council will honor five outstanding Japanese Americans and a group of Omaha women at its convention banquet. Keynote speaker Attorney William Marutani and other speakers are scheduled for the convention in Denver.
- Calif. Real Estate Commission Alerts 144,000 Brokers on Need for Rumford Act, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The California Real Estate Commission asked brokers to support an initiative to repeal the Rumford Act, which bans housing discrimination. Realtors plan a signature drive in Pasadena to place the repeal measure on the ballot.
- Salute to a Martyr, by P.C. Staff, page 1. National JACL leaders and Hawaii congressional representatives sent condolence messages on President Kennedy’s assassination. The statements praised his civil rights and immigration advocacy and pledged support to President Johnson.
- To the Nisei, Kennedy Enjoyed Special Significance No Other President Has Had, by Mike Masaoka, page 1. Masaoka argues that Kennedy held unique significance for Japanese Americans through his civil rights votes and White House outreach. He also assesses President Lyndon B. Johnson’s record on legislation benefiting Japanese Americans.
Community
- 300 Members, Guests Expected for Central Cal’s Mass Installation Fete, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Central California District Council installation dinner will be held at the Hacienda Motel in Fresno with Judge John F. Aiso as featured speaker. The two-day convention includes business meetings and reports on national finances and civil rights.
- Bank Official Heads Downtown L.A. JACL, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Takito Yamaguma, assistant vice president of the Bank of Tokyo in Little Tokyo, was elected president of the Downtown L.A. JACL. He succeeds Father Clement of Maryknoll Church, the chapter’s first clergyman president.
- History Project Committee Holds Fruitful Parley, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The JACL Japanese History Project executive committee met in Los Angeles and discussed research progress at UCLA. The meeting confirmed plans for survey interviews of the Issei and a scholarly social history.
- Mountain Plains—Honorees Profiled, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Profiles describe the five honorees and the Omaha women recognized by the Mountain-Plains District Council. Their achievements span civil rights, politics, medicine, community service and the arts.
- Japan Center Completion Series, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Hosokawa reports that two Osaka firms will buy most of the planned Japanese Cultural and Trade Center in San Francisco. The project will include a hotel, inn-style accommodations and shops, with construction expected to begin next year.
- Oakland JACL’s Most Significant Public Relations Project Hailed, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Oakland JACL’s International Holidays program was held at the Oakland Auditorium Theatre, featuring displays of Japanese New Year traditions. Organizers and participants were praised for the event’s success.
- Chicago JACL Board Re-elects Kuzuhara, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Dan Kuzuhara was re-elected chairman of the Japanese American Service Committee of Chicago for a fourth term. The board also recognized four members for outstanding service.
- Judge Wong Receives NCCJ Service Award, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Superior Court Judge Delbert E. Wong of Los Angeles received the National Conference of Christians and Jews service award for his work advancing brotherhood. He has been especially active in youth programs.
- Old World Mart Draws Crowds in Detroit, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Detroit International Institute’s Old World Mart featured Japanese artifacts, costumes, folk dances and food, organized with help from the local JACL. Organizers say the event previewed the Detroit national convention planned for 1964.
- Fowler JACL Chapter Honored, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Fowler JACL was recognized at the Central California District Council banquet for its unique method of grooming chapter presidents. The chapter also named its incoming president and civic guests.
Commentary
- John Fitzgerald Kennedy, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The editorial mourns President Kennedy, recalling his call for Americans to serve their country. It urges Nisei to support the ideals the late president championed.
- Youth Program—Needs and Problems, by Jack Mayeda, Administrative Assistant, page 2. The author argues JACL’s youth program must give chapters flexibility to choose materials that meet local youth needs. He warns that repeating the same citizenship lessons without explaining their application will fail to engage young members.
- Don’t Fumble the Ball!, by Hito Okada, National Board Member, page 2. Okada encourages members to attend the Detroit national convention and explains how JACL credit unions can finance the trip. He outlines loan terms available to JACL members.
- Ye Editor’s Desk, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The editor recounts learning of President Kennedy’s assassination during a JACL history project meeting and reflects on the national mourning. He draws a lesson about turning to faith in a time of grief.
Military & Veterans
- Nisei ROTC Professor Retires as Lt. Colonel, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Lt. Col. Kiyoshi Kitagawa retired from the Army after serving as assistant professor of military science at DePaul University. He received the Army Commendation Medal and plans to enter the import-export business in San Francisco.
Obituaries
- Mrs. Ross Daubney, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A tribute recounts Agnes Eide Daubney’s 43 years as a Seattle teacher, including 34 years at Main Street and Bailey Gatzert schools. It describes her travels, civic work and lasting influence on former students.
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