Civil rights, a welcome home for Kumeo Yoshinari, and SJR 20

Vol. 61, No. 20, November 12, 1965. 6 pages. View this issue

Civil rights ran through the front page of this six-page issue. Dr. George Hara, president of the Portland chapter, described how his chapter formed a committee to study the issue and meet with Negro community leaders, while the paper noted that the National Council had voted to set up a JACL Civil Rights Fund. Mike Masaoka’s Washington columns looked at the off-year elections and the gains made by Negro candidates. On the front page, Kar Yamane previewed a Tacoma district convention where National President Kumeo Yoshinari was to speak, and Elmer Ogawa wrote about the 50,000 aliens in Washington State seen as allies for SJR 20.

Elsewhere, the editorial “Lest We Forget” looked at minority contributions left out of American history, and Harry K. Honda’s Editor’s Desk reviewed the wartime evacuation. Bill Hosokawa reported $1,000 added to the Francis E. Walter Memorial Fund, and George Inagaki described plans for a testimonial luncheon honoring Saburo Kido. Chapter news came from Los Angeles, Omaha, Idaho Falls, St. Louis and San Mateo.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• Becoming Involved in Civil Rights, by Dr. George Hara, Chapter President, page 1. The Portland JACL chapter formed a committee to study civil rights issues and engage with Negro community leaders. Its seminars and housing council work aim to build awareness and identity within the Japanese American community and with the white power structure.
• Lest We Forget, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The editorial argues that Americans too often forget minority contributions to national history, citing the Italian protest over Columbus Day and omissions of Negro cowboys and Japanese Americans. It recalls the wartime evacuation and the Nisei soldiers’ hard-won recognition, urging remembrance of their sacrifice.
• Letters from Our Readers, page 2. Readers respond to earlier editorials on draft dodgers and the Sokagakkai religious organization. Letters express differing views on patriotism, religion, and loyalty among Japanese Americans.
• Negro Leaders Gain Ground in Off-Year Elections, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Negro candidates achieved breakthroughs in several cities, winning mayoral and council seats. The column analyzes these results as signs of expanding minority political power.
• Washington Newsletter: Japanese Ambassador Takeuchi, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. The column profiles Ambassador Takeuchi’s service in Washington and his efforts to strengthen U.S.-Japan relations. It praises his recognition of Nisei contributions to both countries.
• The Kido Testimonial, by George Inagaki, page 4. A committee chairman describes plans for a 1966 National JACL Convention luncheon honoring Saburo Kido for his service as national president. Friends and former colleagues are contributing support for the event.

National

• Yoshinari Due ‘Welcome Home’ at PNWDC Meet, by Kar Yamane, page 1. JACL National President Kumeo Yoshinari is scheduled as principal speaker at the Pacific Northwest District Council convention in Tacoma on December 4-5. Local officials are preparing to welcome him, a Pacific Northwest native from Chicago.
• 50,000 Aliens in Wash. Seen as Allies for SJR 20, by Elmer Ogawa, page 1. About 50,000 registered aliens in Washington State are affected by a constitutional prohibition on land ownership, including roughly 1,600 Canadians. Supporters see them as potential allies for SJR 20, a constitutional amendment to repeal the restriction.
• Judge Hearing Mortuary Zoning Appeal Cleared of Charges of Prejudice, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Attempts to disqualify Superior Court Judge James G. Whyte from hearing the appeal of a zoning variance for a proposed mortuary were defeated. Judge Whyte had twice ruled in favor of the mortuary’s opponents.
• Critical Jobs for Draft Deferment Include Apprentices, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Secretary of Labor released a list of critical occupations, including apprentice jobs, eligible for draft deferment. The list covers skilled trades such as machinists and metal workers.
• Washington Newsletter: Off-Year Elections, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Mike Masaoka reviews the results of the off-year elections, including Democratic and Republican gains in New Jersey, Cleveland, and other cities. He notes the growing political participation of Negro candidates across the country.

Community

• $2,500 Christmas Cheer Goal Set by JACL for Los Angeles Needy, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Los Angeles JACL is conducting its annual Christmas Cheer drive with a goal of $2,500 to aid needy Japanese Americans. Donations are being accepted through a December 2 deadline with support from city agencies.
• Civil Rights Involvement by Local JACL Topic at Clinic, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Southwest Los Angeles JACL chapter is sending delegates to a regional council meeting at the Hyatt House. Civil rights involvement is among the topics on the agenda.
• Bulldozers in Action to Start on San Francisco Japanese Trade Center, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Groundbreaking has begun on the Japanese Trade Center in San Francisco’s Western Addition, the largest foreign trade and cultural center in the United States. The project has been delayed for years by financial and technical issues since its 1961 approval.
• Omaha Preps for District Convention, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Omaha is preparing to host the JACL Mountain Plains District Convention, with the Japanese Ambassador invited as a guest of the Nebraska governor at a football game. Workshops on membership and family counseling are scheduled.
• Idaho Falls Steps Up MDC Confab Plans, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Idaho Falls JACL is preparing for the Mountain Plains District Council convention, which marks the chapter’s 25th anniversary over Thanksgiving weekend. Former MDC members and JACL friends are invited to attend.
• Improvements Asked for Nisei Students in Japan, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 1. Pacific Citizen representatives in Tokyo learned that Japan’s Education Minister promised to address complaints from Japanese American students in Japan. Difficulties include lack of coordination between the Education and Foreign Ministries.
• Aloha Plumbing and Other Community Notes, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Community notes cover local business and chapter news in Los Angeles and other areas. Items are brief reports on events and announcements.
• $1,000 Added to Walter Memorial Fund, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. JACL contributions brought an additional $1,000 to the Francis E. Walter Memorial Fund as the campaign closed. The fund honors the late congressman who authored key immigration legislation.
• Judge Hearing Mortuary Zoning Appeal Cleared of Charges of Prejudice, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Efforts to disqualify Judge James Whyte from the Crenshaw Boulevard mortuary zoning appeal were defeated. The appeal continues before the Board of Zoning Appeals.
• Young JACL Notes from Chicago and San Jose, by Alan Kumamoto, page 4. Youth column highlights Midwest District Youth Council activities, newsletter updates, and upcoming events across chapters. It also reports on the San Jose Jr. JACL’s growing programs.
• Full Moon Festival Draws Crowds in St. Louis, by Mary Okamoto, page 4. The St. Louis JACL’s Full Moon Festival drew a sellout crowd after a successful effort by volunteers. A highlight was the reading of the Japanese American Creed by Dr. George Uchiyama.
• San Mateo Hits Membership High, by Harris Oxxwat, page 4. The San Mateo JACL chapter reached a new membership high through its recruiting efforts. Chapter leaders also planned a movie night and social event.
• JACL Fruit and Vegetable Shippers Asked for Views on Marketing Service, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Shippers were asked for their views on a proposed marketing service for fruit and vegetable growers. The notice invites participation from members in the produce industry.
• Pacific Citizen Holiday Issue Solicits Chapter Reports, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Chapters are invited to submit year-end reports and photographs for the Holiday Issue, with deadlines in late November. Youth are also invited to contribute ideas for JACL.
• Editor’s Desk: Japanese Americans and the Evacuation, by Harry K. Honda, page 5. The editor reviews wartime evacuation policy and the government’s removal of Japanese Americans from the West Coast. He argues the historical record should be remembered in the present.
• Water Supply Tour Includes San Diego JACL Members, by P.C. Staff, page 5. A group of San Diego County women civic leaders toured the Metropolitan Water District’s Colorado River Aqueduct as guests of a water authority representative. Mrs. Viola Fukushima and Mrs. Hiko Nojima, active San Diego JACL members, participated.
• Southern California Japanese American Economic Gains, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Census figures and local business reports show that Japanese Americans in Southern California have recovered economically since the war. Many families have achieved prosperity in agriculture and professional fields.
• Los Angeles Group Organizes Earth Sciences Study Tour, by P.C. Staff, page 6. A Los Angeles JACL group is organizing a field trip to study rock formations and fossil sites along the coastline. Participants include teachers and students interested in geology.

Military & Veterans

• West Los Angeles JACL to Honor Two Students, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The West Los Angeles JACL and Women’s Chapter will present scholarship awards to two students at a Veterans Day event. The awards recognize academic achievement and outstanding service.

In-Depth

• Rice, Rice, Rice, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A column draws on a New Yorker article about rice research at the International Rice Research Institute in the Philippines. It covers rice varieties, yields, and the central place of rice in Japanese culture.

Obituaries

• Deaths, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The paper lists recent deaths of Japanese American community members with brief notices of survivors and funeral arrangements. Entries are presented in short form.

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