On the eve of the 1968 JACL convention in San Jose

Vol. 67, No. 8, August 23, 1968. 6 pages. View this issue

The 20th Biennial National JACL Convention in San Jose was the subject of this six-page issue. Some 800 delegates were expected, and the paper laid out what they would face: National Planning Commission proposals to reorganize the national office, with constitutional amendments to carry them out. Warren H. Watanabe backed the plan, Hiro Kusakai profiled Tom Shimasaki, a candidate for National President, and Jerry Enomoto looked back on two years as president and announced he would seek re-election. K. Patrick Okura’s civil rights position paper urged chapters to take part in human relations work.

Other items include youth convention activities at San Jose State, Edison Uno’s textbook protest, backed by James A. Michener, and Bill Hosokawa’s column on Dr. S. I. Hayakawa. Harry K. Honda’s Editor’s Desk looked at how JACL runs its conventions, and Clare Nonoshite was crowned Miss Nisei Week.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• Two Years Pass, by Jerry Enomoto, page 1. National President Jerry Enomoto reflects on his two years in office since the 19th Biennial National Convention. He describes the experience as rewarding and announces his candidacy for re-election.
• Okura civil rights position paper, by K. Patrick Okura, page 1. Okura, chairman of the National JACL Civil Rights Committee, calls on chapters and members to become actively involved in civil rights and human relations. He outlines suggested programs including implementing committee guidelines, circulating the Kerner Report, and forming local urban coalitions.
• JACL’s greater involvement, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The editorial urges JACL to expand its involvement in civil rights beyond legal barriers, to pursue a new equitable immigration code, and to engage in US-Japan relations. It argues a full-time Washington JACL office is needed to support this expanded role.
• From the Frying Pan: Soul brother, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Hosokawa recounts Dr. S. I. Hayakawa’s work with Black Americans and his view that they struggle to postpone gratification. He also describes Hayakawa’s idea of a peace corps of retired Issei to help in urban ghettoes.
• Two Topical Subjects: Executive Reorganization, by Warren H. Watanabe, page 4. EDC Governor Warren Watanabe supports the executive reorganization proposals, including an Executive Committee and President-elect, as ways to make JACL act more quickly. He suggests more frequent national meetings and prefers a five-member Executive Committee.
• Nisei and Japan, by Warren H. Watanabe, page 4. Watanabe argues that the fate of Japan is overwhelmingly important to Japanese Americans. He contends JACL should take positions and act to support a strong, pro-Western Japan.
• Textbook error, by James A. Michener, page 5. Michener supports Edison Uno’s protest against the textbook’s description of the Japanese American evacuation. He argues that society must not misrepresent past wrongs so that people can avoid confronting their errors.
• Editor’s Desk: Anatomy of a JACL convention, by Harry K. Honda, page 6. The editor urges a post-convention study of JACL convention structure, drawing on Mike Masaoka’s proposals for earlier elections and a presidential address. He also endorses ideas for itemized budgets and a standing National Committee on Conventions.
• Manhattan Echoes, by P.C. Staff, page 6. A New York column reports on Nisei artists and performers, including Keenan and Dana Shimizu in South Pacific and Yuriko in The King and I. It also notes Fumio Yoshimura’s kite sculptures on exhibit in Manhattan.

Community

• Nisei Week queen, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Clare Nonoshite of Long Beach-Harbor District JACL was crowned 1968 Miss Nisei Week at the Beverly-Hilton. She received the crown from Joanne Uchara of West Los Angeles.
• Prentice-Hall answers Uno plea, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Publisher Prentice-Hall plans to revise an error in California Government and Politics that described the Evacuation as ruled illegal by the Supreme Court. Edison Uno had raised the issue, and an assistant vice-president thanked him for bringing it to attention.

JACL

• Convention still in swing for youth at San Jose State campus, by Robin Eto, page 1. Youth convention activities at San Jose State included Youth Council sessions and a bowling tournament. Scheduled events included a forum with Dr. Harry Kitano and a youth barbecue.
• CCDC caution in civil rights activities stated, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Central California District Council reaffirmed JACL’s commitment to full equality in civil rights, economic opportunity, education and housing. The CCDC urged that JACL act within its financial and organizational capabilities.
• Itemized costs now asked inside budget, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A Central California District Council resolution asks that budget proposals include a statement of purpose and need, itemized costs, and a method of raising funds. The CCDC believes such fiscal responsibility should accompany expenditure proposals.
• 800 expected to register for national convention, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Some 800 delegates converged on San Jose for the 20th Biennial National JACL Convention. Dr. Tom Taketa, convention board chairman, stressed the need for JACL to meet current challenges with vigor.
• Executive reorganization proposals presented by National Planning Commission, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The National Planning Commission recommends internal reorganization of National JACL, including a president-elect, a National Executive Committee, and departmental vice-presidents. The report is an update of the April draft and will be considered at the San Jose convention.
• Meet your National JACL candidates: Tom Shimasaki of Tulare County, by Hiro Kusakai, page 4. Hiro Kusakai profiles Tom Shimasaki, First National Vice-President and candidate for National President, citing his long JACL service and leadership in many organizations. The article presents him as an experienced organizer and insurance businessman prepared to lead.
• Constitution changes to implement executive reorganization, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Amendments to the JACL Constitution to implement executive reorganization will be presented at the San Jose convention. The proposals would make the National Board smaller and create an Executive Committee to handle week-to-week business.

Military & Veterans

• Okura civil rights position paper continued, by K. Patrick Okura, page 2. Okura continues his list of recommended chapter actions, including forming local urban coalitions and alliances of Nisei businessmen to hire disadvantaged youth. He also proposes a clean-up, fix-up housing corporation for urban areas.

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