Vol. 63, No. 6, August 5, 1966. 6 pages. View this issue
The National JACL convention in San Diego filled this six-page issue. Jerry Enomoto of Sacramento was elected national president, and the convention formally recognized the National Jr. JACL. Bill Marutani was named JACLer of the Biennium, Rep. Patsy Mink was honored as Nisei of the Biennium, and Tritia Toyota was crowned Miss Jr. JACL. The delegates reaffirmed JACL’s 1963 civil rights statement, and a testimonial for Saburo Kido drew a tribute from Attorney General Thomas Lynch.
Outside the convention, the front page reported that ACLU lawyers asked the U.S. Supreme Court to rule on interracial marriage bans, with JACL planning an amicus brief, and that the House voted down an attempt to strike the jury section of the 1966 civil rights bill. Columns by Mike Masaoka, Bill Hosokawa and Alan Kumamoto, a national oratorical winner, and a $147,000 budget round out the issue.
What’s in this issue
Military & Veterans
- Bill Marutani Named 1964-66 JACLer of Biennium, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Philadelphia lawyer William M. Marutani was chosen JACLer of the Biennium over ten other candidates at the San Diego convention. He had earlier served with the Negro community in the South, and his selection was celebrated by delegates.
JACL
- Miss Jr. JACL Crowned: Tritia Toyota Wins Title, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Tritia Toyota, 19, of Portland, Oregon, was crowned Miss Jr. JACL for 1966-1968 at the San Diego convention. Reiko Yamashita and Sharon Mizuta were named runners-up.
- Civil Rights Resolution Reaffirmed at National Convention, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The convention reaffirmed JACL’s 1963 civil rights statement and urged members to support Head Start, the War on Poverty, and other programs. The resolution also called for intensified informational programs in chapters.
- National Jr. JACL Recognized and Formally Organized, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The 1966 convention formally recognized the National Jr. JACL and ratified its constitution in San Diego. Officers were elected and the youth council was established with district representatives.
- Rep. Mink Honored as Nisei of Biennium; Justice Mosk Lauds Warren-Gibson Courts, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Rep. Patsy Mink was named Nisei of the Biennium at the San Diego convention, and Justice Stanley Mosk gave the principal address. Mosk praised the Warren and Gibson courts for advancing civil rights.
- Convention Chat, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Masaoka reviews the smooth San Diego convention and the organizational advances, including the formation of the National Jr. JACL. He notes Jerry Enomoto’s qualifications to lead JACL into the Pacific era.
- Jerry Enomoto Assumes Helm as National JACL President, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Jerry Enomoto of Sacramento was elected national president at the San Diego convention. A former national youth commissioner, he pledged to work with the Jr. JACL toward a greater American future.
- Diane Suda Wins National Oratorical Contest, by Rupert Hachtya, page 4. Diane Suda of Fresno won the National JACL oratorical contest in San Diego with a speech on youth and identity. Martin Koba and Ted Hirokawa placed second and third.
National
- Miscegenation Ruling Asked of U.S. Supreme Court, by P.C. Staff, page 1. ACLU lawyers asked the U.S. Supreme Court to rule on the constitutionality of state interracial marriage bans, using the Loving case from Virginia. JACL decided to file an amicus brief on the issue.
- House Tests Civil Rights Bill Strength; Jury Section Clears, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The House defeated an attempt to strike the jury selection section of the 1966 civil rights bill by a 116-51 vote. The provision forbids discrimination in selecting federal jurors.
Community
- Atty. Gen. Lynch Pays Tribute to Sab Kido, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Attorney General Thomas Lynch pledged to pursue final restitution for Japanese Americans interned during World War II at a testimonial for Saburo Kido. Kido was praised for his leadership during the wartime crisis.
- Salt Lake Nisei Bids for Judgeship, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Jim Mitsunaga, director of the Salt Lake Legal Defenders Association, is the first Nisei seeking public office in Utah. He is running for a judgeship in the third judicial district against an incumbent.
- Budget Approved at $147,000 for 1967-68, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The National Council approved a $147,000 JACL budget for 1967, a 19 percent rise over the prior year. The increase covers higher operating costs and a new assistant national director position.
- JACL Major Medical Plan Effective July 1 for Mountain-Plains District, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Capitol Life JACL major medical plan adopted by the Mountain-Plains District Council took effect July 1. Coverage now ends at age 65 for new enrollees.
In-Depth
- Japanese American Research Project Publications Targeted, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The JACL-UCLA Japanese American Research Project announced five publications expected within four years. Dr. Harry Kitano and Dr. Robert Wilson are among the investigators preparing the works.
Commentary
- From the Frying Pan: Politics in the Equality State, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Hosokawa previews close Wyoming races, including the Senate contest between Cliff Hansen and Teno Roncalio and the House race involving Mayne Miller, whose wife is Mariko Terasaki Miller. He also quotes Roncalio’s civil rights credo.
- Accent on Youth, by Alan Kumamoto, page 4. Kumamoto reflects on the establishment of the National Jr. JACL and its new youth council. He also discusses how the 21-30 age group might integrate into the senior JACL structure.
- Extol Japanese American Identity, by John Asakawa, page 5. Mike Masaoka urged Jr. JACL youth to use the term Japanese American and to be proud of their heritage. He recounted the sacrifices of the 442nd and the Texas Battalion.
- Do You Open Doors?, page 6. A reader argues that Nisei have opened doors for other minorities through education and good citizenship rather than violence. The letter criticizes Nisei leaders who belittle their own community’s achievements.
- Editorial: JACL Convention Success and Youth Milestone, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The editorial praises the smooth running of the San Diego convention and notes the formal creation of the National Jr. JACL. It calls the next convention in San Jose the place to measure progress.
- 1966 JACL Civil Rights Statement, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The editorial explains the convention’s civil rights resolution, which urges working within law and order rather than demonstrations. It highlights programs such as Head Start and the War on Poverty as channels for member involvement.
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