Civil rights and new leaders in the JACL district councils

Vol. 57, No. 23, December 6, 1963. 6 pages. View this issue

Civil rights ran through the front page of this six-page issue. The Mountain-Plains District Council elected Mrs. Lily Okura as chairman, succeeding Minoru Yasui, and its five chapters unanimously approved a proposal for a national JACL civil rights fund. Kiyoshi Sakota became chairman of the Intermountain District Council, and Ron Inouye took the chair of the district youth council in Boise. Elsewhere, Donald C. Warden spoke of Japanese Americans’ postwar image, and the NAACP’s Roy Wilkins announced a new policy toward congressmen who oppose civil rights bills.

Mike Masaoka’s Washington Newsletter reported on a possible presidential pardon for Tomoya Kawakita, and Clifford Uyeda answered an earlier article on the subject. Carol Tamura proposed an adoption liaison service, and Isaac Matsushige wrote about Pacific Southwest events. Inside are chapter news, sports, and arts items, including Ikenobo floral art bound for the 1964 New York World’s Fair.

What’s in this issue

Community

• Lily A. Okura Elected Mountain-Plains District Council Chairman, page 1. Mrs. Lily Okura was elected chairman of the Mountain-Plains District Council, succeeding Minoru Yasui, and becomes the second woman to hold the post. The five member chapters also unanimously approved the EDC-MDC proposal for a national JACL civil rights fund.
• Kiyoshi Sakota Elected Intermountain District Council Chairman, page 1. Kiyoshi Sakota, a charter member and five-term president of the Rexburg JACL, was elected chairman of the Intermountain District Council at its Boise convention. He succeeds Rupert Hachiya and will serve a two-year term alongside a new cabinet of officers.
• Negroes Must Build a Positive Image Like Japanese Americans After WW2, page 1. Donald C. Warden, national chairman of the Afro-American Association, told a Santa Clara Republican audience that Negroes must reduce their crime rate and build a positive image as Japanese Americans did after World War II. He dissents from current civil rights groups’ tactics of seeking to end discrimination by law.
• Ron Inouye Elected IDYC Chairman at Boise Valley Meet, by BY GEORGIA SAIBARA, page 1. Ron Inouye of Mt. Olympus Jr. JACL was installed as chairman of the second biennial Intermountain District Youth Council convention in Boise. Delegates also discussed the National Youth program proposed for the upcoming national JACL convention in Detroit.
• Yoshino, Hayasaka Attend NAIRO Conference at Cleveland, page 1. John Yoshino of the President’s Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity and Phil Hayasaka of the Seattle Commission on Human Rights attended the 37th annual NAIRO conference in Cleveland. The conference addressed intergroup relations issues, and news of President Kennedy’s assassination reached attendees during a session.
• Dayton-Cincinnati JACL Special Agent Addresses Joint Installation Dinner, page 1. PBI District Supervisor Robert Riedel spoke at the Dayton-Cincinnati joint installation dinner about the FBI’s history, its role during evacuation, and career opportunities for Japanese Americans. He noted no acts of sabotage by Japanese Americans occurred in the mainland U.S. or Hawaii during World War II.
• Venice Culver JACL Retains White House at Centinela, page 1. Mike H. Shimizu was elected 1964 president of the Venice Culver JACL, succeeding Jack Nomura. The chapter presidencies have been based at the same Centinela Avenue address since 1962.
• Urge New L.A. Sports Arena Be Renamed in Kennedy Memory, page 1. Frank Chuman and Ari Takei urged that the Los Angeles Sports Arena be renamed the John F. Kennedy Memorial Sports Arena following the President’s assassination. They also suggested a plaque commemorating Kennedy’s 1960 nomination there.
• 1000 Club Membership Reaches 1,600 as of Nov. 30, page 1. The 1000 Club membership total stood at 1,609 at the end of November, with the Honor Roll to list active members as of December 8. National chairman William Matsumoto had set a goal of 2,000 members by the 1964 Detroit convention.
• Ex-Fresnan Upped to Computer Center Manager, page 3. A former Fresno resident was promoted to computer center manager at a Los Angeles-area bank. The brief notes his background and recent career advancement.
• Monterey JACL to Offer Japanese Language Classes for Children, page 3. The Monterey JACL announced Japanese language classes for children aged 8 to 14 beginning January 4. The school will offer instruction to support language learning for local youth.
• Berkeley Jr. JACL Showtime Sansei Talent Show Proves Popular, by BY KENNETH KUROIWA, page 4. The Berkeley Jr. JACL talent show Showtime Sansei, held November 9, drew an enthusiastic audience and featured many talented young performers. Organizers considered the event a success and raised over $200 for chapter activities.
• Milwaukee JACL Reduces Couples Membership Dues, page 4. The Milwaukee JACL began its 1964 membership drive under chairman Yutaka Koge, reducing couples dues to $8.50, a $2 decrease from last year. Single memberships are $5.
• Gardena Valley JACL Installation, page 4. The Gardena Valley JACL installed its new officers, with youth prominently represented in the new composition. The installation highlighted both young and veteran members.
• Hand-Sewn Kimono for Barbie Dolls Big at Aki-no-ichi Bazaar, page 6. The Washington D.C. JACL Aki-no-ichi bazaar raised over $2,800 with handmade items including hand-sewn kimonos for Barbie dolls. Organizers thanked volunteers and reported that dues revenue has been insufficient, making the bazaar essential.
• Episcopal Bishop Speaks From Pulpit for Fair Housing Act, page 6. Bishop James A. Pike of the Episcopal Diocese of California spoke against efforts to repeal the Rumford Fair Housing Act. He criticized the California Real Estate Association’s petition and urged parishes to oppose it.
• Mukden Incident Subject of Book by JACLer, by BY EMILY SANO, page 6. Dr. Takehiko Yoshihashi, a JACL member and American University professor, published Conspiracy at Mukden, examining the 1931 incident that began Japan’s march toward World War II. The book draws on War Crimes Trial dossiers and Japanese memoirs to argue civilian politicians helped engineer it.
• First Issei Came to Fowler in 1899 to Farm, page 6. The Fowler JACL Japanese History Project learned from Issei pioneers that Horiuchi Sumida was the first Japanese farmer in Fowler, arriving in 1899. He eventually built a winery.

National

• NAACP Changes Policy to Urge Voters to Oppose Anti-Civil Rights Congressmen, page 1. NAACP executive secretary Roy Wilkins announced the organization will urge voters to retaliate at the polls against congressmen who oppose civil rights legislation. This marks a shift from merely publishing legislators’ voting records and leaving the decision to individual voters.

Commentary

• Senator Inouye and Governor Burns Both Close to Man Now in White House, page 1. Hawaii’s Senator Daniel Inouye and Governor John Burns are both close personal friends of incoming President Lyndon Johnson. The article describes Johnson’s liberalism, leadership in passing civil rights legislation, and role in Hawaii statehood.
• Loyalty of Japanese Americans, page 2. The editorial reflects on the December 7 anniversary and how Japanese Americans should explain their loyalty to the broader community. It notes the progress made since Evacuation and suggests chapters hold community relations events around this time of year.
• A Death in the Family: Child Adoption-Liaison Proposed, by BY CAROL TAMURA, page 2. Carol Tamura proposes that JACL establish a national baby-child adoption liaison service connecting childless Japanese American couples with children available for adoption. She acknowledges legal, cost, and availability obstacles while arguing the service would benefit orphaned or out-of-wedlock Japanese and mixed-blood children.
• Kawakita Comment, by CLIFFORD UYEDA, page 2. Clifford Uyeda responds to Saburo Kido’s earlier article, arguing that a soldier’s lawful wartime duties differ from the crime of abusing prisoners of war. He also contends that a pardon cannot erase history.
• Impressions, by BY ISAAC MATSUSHIGE, page 4. PSW Regional Director Isaac Matsushige reflects on the West Los Angeles JACL installation dinner, the PSWDC chapter clinic, and Operation Kozukai. He thanks the many volunteers who contributed to these successful PSWDC events.

Obituaries

• Philadelphia Chapter President Toshio Kaname Dies of Leukemia, by BY KAZ HORITA, page 1. Toshio Joseph Kaname, president of the Philadelphia JACL, died of acute leukemia on Thanksgiving Day at age 30. Remembered for his dedication to the chapter and his family’s nursery business, he had represented the chapter at the EDC-MDC convention just months earlier.
• Jesuit Priest Father John LaFarge, 83, Dies; Was Wartime National JACL Sponsor, page 1. Rev. John LaFarge, SJ, a Jesuit author and race relations advocate, died November 24 at age 83. He had been a National JACL sponsor who protested the wartime evacuation of Japanese Americans and believed in their loyalty.

Military & Veterans

• Tosh Kaname Memorial: Philadelphia Chapter Pays Tribute, page 2. Continued tribute to Toshio Kaname, Philadelphia JACL president, describing his service in the U.S. Navy and his leadership. Family and chapter members recalled his concern for others even during his final illness.

Incarceration & Redress

• Kawakita Pardon, by BY MIKE MASAOKA, page 2. Mike Masaoka’s Washington Newsletter reports that President Kennedy was considering a presidential pardon for Iva Toguri’s co-defendant Tomoya Kawakita, convicted of treason for wartime broadcasts. The article details Kawakita’s background and the trial, and argues a pardon would be significant to Japanese Americans.

Sports

• Gardena Tigers Win Consolation Champions Title, by Larry Taliet, page 3. The Gardena Tigers defeated Long Beach JACL in a close game to win the consolation title. Players were recognized for their performance throughout the tournament.
• Southwest L.A. JACL Cagers Win Overtime Game, page 3. Southwest Los Angeles JACL defeated a rival team in overtime with strong free-throw shooting in the final minutes. The team’s performance was highlighted in the tournament recap.
• Gene Kono of Berkeley Wins Cal-Nisei Golf Title, page 4. Gene Kono of Berkeley won the Cal-Nisei golf title despite heavy rain that hampered play. Frank Shimoda and Jim Sakamuchi noted the tournament’s history and the strong competition.

Arts & Entertainment

• Teiji Ito Composes Incidental Music for Broadway Play, page 4. Teiji Ito, son of composer Yuji Ito, wrote the incidental music for the Broadway play One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. The article covers the Broadway production and the composer’s background.
• Ikenobo Floral Art Due at N.Y. World’s Fair 1964, by BY TAMOTSU MURAYAMA, page 5. Ikenobo floral art, the oldest Japanese flower arrangement school, will be showcased at the 1964 New York World’s Fair. The article traces the art’s history from Prince Shotoku through the Rikka, Shoka, and Nageire styles.
• Sansei Pianist Gary Amano Headlines Utah Concert, page 6. Gary Amano, a 15-year-old pianist from Helper, Utah, performed at a Utah State University concert as the president’s concert honoree. He has won multiple talent competitions and also composes music.

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.