JACL membership reaches 21,430; Medicare change for aliens approved

Vol. 61, No. 3, July 16, 1965. 6 pages. View this issue

JACL membership reached a record 21,430, and chapters credited months of membership drives for the gain. The front page also reported that a Medicare change backed by Sen. Inouye was approved for permanent resident aliens, cutting the residence requirement to six months, and that new memorial scholarships honoring Dr. Terami were added to the JACL scholarship program. On page 2, Masao Satow reported on a Planning Commission meeting that reviewed twelve organizational problem areas, and Mike Masaoka wrote about the civil rights and Medicare bills moving toward the president.

The rest of this six-page issue ranges widely. Bill Hosokawa profiled Rotary leader George Togasaki, William Marutani invited readers to the EDC-MDC convention in Philadelphia, and Alan Kumamoto reported on the Interim Youth Council. Todd Endo asked how Japanese he is, and Fred Bregmer’s reprinted article traced the wartime history of Japanese Canadians. A recipe column from Toyo Henmi closes out the offerings.

What’s in this issue

JACL

• Dr. Terami memorial scholarships added, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Memorial scholarships in honor of Dr. Terami have been added to the JACL scholarship program. The new awards expand opportunities for deserving students.
• JACL membership soars to new high: 21,430, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL membership reached a record 21,430, surpassing all previous highs. Chapters credited months of membership drives for the gain.
• Candidates begin try for Luke’s council chair, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Candidates have begun seeking the open Los Angeles council seat left vacant by a missing councilman. Petitions for reform were circulated to fill the vacancy.
• Planning Commission ‘nucleus’ meets to review JACL problems, by Masao Satow, page 2. The JACL Planning Commission nucleus met to discuss twelve organizational problem areas, including communications and data processing. Proposals ranged from reducing elected national officers to creating a district governor title.

National

• Sen. Inouye’s Medicare change for aliens OK’d, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A Senate-backed change to Medicare eligibility for permanent resident aliens has been approved, reducing the residence requirement to six months. The measure is described as a benefit for long-term immigrants.
• Civil rights bill and Medicare bill move toward president, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Congress passed versions of the civil rights and Medicare measures that are expected to be reconciled and sent to the president. The newsletter column argues the bills are stronger than the administration originally proposed.
• A-Bomb test site near Albuquerque, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Trinity Site near Albuquerque, where the first atomic device was tested, is described along with its history. The article notes the nearby Japanese American community in Santa Fe.

Community

• Gov. Burns praises cultural festivals as enriching nation, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Hawaii Governor Burns praised cultural festivals as a source of enrichment for the nation. His remarks highlight the value of preserving ethnic traditions.
• Nisei grower fights excessive assessments, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A Nisei grower in San Mateo County contests a property assessment that is roughly ten times higher than the prior year. The article reports on the appeal.
• Northwest Picture: Seafair Queen candidate, by Elmer Ogawa, page 3. Elmer Ogawa’s column reports on a Japanese American candidate for the Seafair Queen contest in Seattle. The piece highlights the community’s civic involvement.
• Interim Youth Council in action, by Alan Kumamoto, page 4. The national youth director reports on the Interim Youth Council’s work and upcoming chapter activities. The council is preparing for the national youth convention.

In-Depth

• History Project schedule assessed; Advantages of San Luis Valley dwindle, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Growers in the San Luis Valley of Colorado face declining advantages due to a short growing season and late frosts. The article describes the valley’s agriculture and the Japanese American farming community there.
• Japanese Canadians: history of the evacuation, by Fred Bregmer, page 5. A reprinted Montreal Gazette article traces the wartime treatment of Japanese Canadians, including their removal from British Columbia and dispersal. The history covers government orders and the later resettlement of the community.

Commentary

• Letter to the editor on Southern Congressmen and civil rights vote, by Sue Tomes, page 2. A reader writes praising Southern congressmen who voted for the civil rights bill despite pressure from their home states. The letter calls the vote a sign of changing politics.
• East Wind: Plus a triple threat in Philadelphia, by William Marutani, page 2. The column invites members to the EDC-MDC JACL convention in Philadelphia over Labor Day weekend. It describes historic sites in Philadelphia, Gettysburg, and Washington D.C. within easy reach.
• From the Frying Pan, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Columnist Bill Hosokawa profiles George Togasaki, a Japanese Rotary leader who travels widely and works for international understanding. The column reflects on his role as a world citizen.
• Sansei views on joining U.S. Peace Corps, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A young Sansei woman writes to a San Francisco newspaper asking whether she should join the Peace Corps. Her letter was selected as letter of the week.
• Accent on Youth: Human dignity, our challenge, by Alan Kumamoto, page 4. The youth column discusses how young Japanese Americans can build meaningful relationships through JACL programs. It urges wider participation in youth events.
• How Japanese am I?, by Todd Endo, page 5. A Sansei writer reflects on his limited Japanese language ability and what it means for Japanese American identity. He argues that heritage can be kept alive through study and application of Japanese culture.
• What is an educated man?, by Lily A. Okura, page 6. The MPDC chairman discusses summer employment for students and the meaning of education beyond a diploma. She cites five traits of an educated man and urges adults to trust young people.

Arts & Entertainment

• Sunomono, savory flank steak recipes, by Toyo Henmi, page 5. A recipe column offers flank steak and sunomono dishes for home cooking. The recipes are presented with ingredients and preparation steps.

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.