Getting ready for the 19th JACL National Convention in San Diego

Vol. 63, No. 4, July 22, 1966. 6 pages. View this issue

San Diego was getting ready for the 19th Biennial National JACL Convention, and the six-page issue followed the preparations. Harry Honda described the week ahead at El Cortez Hotel, with senior and youth delegates meeting separately before the National Council opened. Alan Kumamoto proposed a new structure for senior and youth groups, and Kumeo Yoshinari, the outgoing national president, listed the challenges awaiting the next leaders. The national nominations committee named nine candidates for seven national posts, and a proposed budget of $125,000 was reported.

Elsewhere in the issue, Supreme Court Justice Tom Clark told the San Diego Union he regretted the 1942 evacuation. A testimonial luncheon was announced for Saburo Kido, and Bill Hosokawa wrote about him. Housing discrimination was in the news in California and Illinois, and Mike Masaoka, Tad Imoto and Shig Wakamatsu offered columns on Asia policy, hosting a convention and civil rights.

What’s in this issue

Community

• San Diego ship-shape for JACL Convention, by Harry Honda, page 1. San Diego is preparing to host the 19th Biennial National JACL Convention, with senior and youth delegates scheduled to meet at El Cortez Hotel. The article outlines the convention’s opening sessions and the separate meetings planned for seniors and youth.
• Documents of U.S. visit of first Japan envoys to be shown, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A collection of 40 historical photographs of the first Japanese envoys’ visit to the United States will be exhibited at the national JACL convention. The documents were obtained through Consul General Toshiro Shimanouchi.

JACL

• 9 named for 7 nat’l posts, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The national nominations committee released the slate of JACL officer candidates submitted by the district councils. The committee will finalize its slate before the National Council session and additional nominations may come from the floor.
• 5 judges scrutinize scholars, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Five judges were named to review nominations from 54 JACL chapters for the 1966 national JACL scholarship program. The Seattle chapter handled the selection process this year.
• Saburo Kido honored at testimonial luncheon, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A testimonial luncheon will honor Saburo Kido, JACL’s wartime national president, at the San Diego convention. The honor recognizes his founding role, decades of community leadership, and devotion to the organization.
• EDC Youth: Activities, by Norman Ishimoto, page 4. Eastern District youth activities include possible organization of a third Jr. JACL chapter in Philadelphia and a proposed Youth Project presentation to the Peace Corps in Washington. Seabrook and Washington, D.C. youth groups have been active with fundraising.
• President’s Corner: Wrap Up, by Kumeo Yoshinari, page 5. Outgoing National President Kumeo Yoshinari reviews challenges for the incoming leadership, including youth development, public relations, civil rights, and JACL finances. He also calls for a commission to study a retirement home for the Issei and Nisei.
• Budget may top $125,000, by P.C. Staff, page 5. National Treasurer Yone Satoda announced a proposed basic JACL operating budget of $125,000 for the 1967-68 biennium. Several supplemental funding requests totaling $21,550 per year were also reported.

National

• Better housing law sought by Cal Republican, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Robert Finch, Republican nominee for California lieutenant governor, said a better housing discrimination law than the Rumford Act can be drawn. Supporters also plan an indirect initiative to repeal the Rumford Act.
• Illinois governor bans housing discrimination, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Illinois Gov. Otto Kerner issued an executive order banning racial discrimination in the sale or rental of housing by real estate firms and agents. The new regulations apply to brokers and dealers statewide.

Incarceration & Redress

• Tom Clark regrets Evacuation, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Supreme Court Justice Tom Clark, who directed the 1942 mass evacuation, told the San Diego Union he was amazed the Court approved it. He described the evacuation as a mistake that treated citizens as objects to be picked up and confined.

Commentary

• New Asian Policy, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Mike Masaoka reflects on President Johnson’s July 12 announcement shifting U.S. foreign policy from Europe-First to equal attention to Asia. He argues JACL should take a leadership role in the emerging Pacific era.
• From the Frying Pan, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Hosokawa reflects on Saburo Kido’s career and the passing of early JACL leaders, noting Kido deserves honor. He also addresses the vanishing generation of Issei and the story behind a Portland berry-picking bus.
• Accent on Youth: Youth Structure, by Alan Kumamoto, page 4. National Youth Director Alan Kumamoto proposes a restructured diagram of the relationship between senior JACL and youth organizations. He suggests renaming youth groups and clarifies the role of the National Youth Commission.
• Outing site switched to bay, by Conntie Yamaguchi, page 4. The youth convention outing has moved to Crown Point in Mission Bay to accommodate a larger crowd. Details on the hootenanny, dances, and package deals are also provided.
• Editor’s Desk: Long Range Planning, by Harry K. Honda, page 6. The editorial reviews Mike Masaoka’s memo to the Planning Commission asking what kind of organization JACL should be. It outlines seven alternatives ranging from a fraternal organization to a political action group.
• Do you open doors?, by Katsumi Kunitsugu, page 6. A reader praises the Rev. Roy Sano’s speech challenging JACL to open doors for others and urges the convention to respond. The letter also commends the Pacific Citizen’s page layouts.
• Rewarding Enough, by Tad Imoto, page 6. Tad Imoto describes the effort behind the San Diego convention and argues that the outreach to the wider community is itself rewarding. He encourages chapters to involve members in hosting national conventions.
• The Civil Rights ‘Duration’, by Shig Wakamatsu, page 6. Shig Wakamatsu argues that the average Nisei is naive about civil rights and must understand the Negro’s struggle against segregation. He calls for patient, sustained engagement with urban poverty and racial injustice.

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