Vol. 75, No. 2, July 14, 1972. 6 pages. View this issue
The 22nd biennial JACL National Convention drew most of the news in this issue. Some 500 JACLers gathered in Washington on June 30 for a testimonial honoring Masao Satow for 25 years of service, with speakers including Mike Masaoka, Pat Okura and Jerry Enomoto, reported by Norm Ishimoto. Rep. Spark Matsunaga was named Nisei of the Biennium. President Nixon sent a message to the convention, and Japanese Ambassador Nobuhiko Ushiba spoke at the Congressional Dinner. Henry T. Tanaka became president for 1972-74 after the National Council amended its by-laws.
Other pages carry Joseph Rauh’s outline of options for reparations to wartime evacuees, and columns by Po Sung Kim on Pan-Asianism, William Marutani, and Vaughn M. Greene on whaling. Wendy Sakai’s Memorial Day talk on Sansei and Nisei soldiers appears on page 5, and Edward M. Kitazumi’s verse closes the issue.
What’s in this issue
JACL
- Satow Testimonial Proves Heart Still Beats Strong in JACL, by Norm Ishimoto, page 1. Some 500 JACLers gathered in Washington on June 30 to honor Masao Satow for 25 years of service to the organization. Speakers including Mike Masaoka, Pat Okura and Jerry Enomoto recounted his leadership and dedication.
- CBS Contributes TV Documentary Print to JACL, by P.C. Staff, page 1. CBS donated a print of the documentary Nisei: The Pride and the Shame to JACL. The film will be loaned to the California Historical Society for an exhibit in Washington, D.C.
- President Nixon Commends JACL at National Convention, by P.C. Staff, page 1. President Nixon sent a message to the 22nd biennial JACL National Convention praising the organization’s adherence to its heritage and its contributions to American society. The message highlighted JACL’s dedication to dignity, brotherhood and unity in diversity.
- Congressional Dinner Program Ends on Time, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The JACL Congressional Dinner on June 28 featured addresses by Japanese Ambassador Nobuhiko Ushiba and Joseph Rauh, and awards to members of Congress. The evening concluded just after 10 p.m.
- Legislative Leadership Wins Sparky Nisei of Biennium Honor, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Rep. Spark Matsunaga was named JACL’s Nisei of the Biennium for his leadership in repealing the Emergency Detention Act. He credited his immigrant parents and his own wartime service in describing his path to public life.
- Japan Government Recognizes Nisei as Americans, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Japanese Ambassador Nobuhiko Ushiba told the JACL convention that Japan recognizes Japanese Americans as Americans and not Japanese. He also called for continued friendly relations and Japanese American leadership in bridging the two nations.
- Nat’l JACL Board Positions Filled; By-laws Amended, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The National JACL Council amended its by-laws to allow the president-elect to assume the presidency, making Henry T. Tanaka president for 1972-74. Board elections also chose Shieki Sugiyama as president-elect and Frank Iwama as vice-president for general operations.
Military & Veterans
- Congress Cites Issei Contributions, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Members of Congress entered tributes to Japanese Americans into the Congressional Record on June 29, recounting Issei pioneering history across the United States. The tributes were prompted by Reps. Matsunaga, Holifield and Miller.
Obituaries
- Barry Fong-Torres Slain at Home, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Barry Fong-Torres, 29, executive director of the Youth Services and Coordinating Center in San Francisco, was shot and killed at his basement apartment on June 26. He had worked primarily with Chinatown gangs and was born and raised in Oakland.
Incarceration & Redress
- Congress Shown Several Options to Hand Evacuees Reparations, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Joseph Rauh urged Congress at the JACL dinner to address the wartime evacuation through compensation options and a declaration that racial exclusion violates equal protection. He reviewed the Korematsu decision and the failed property claims process.
- Sansei Speaks on May 29: Eternal Obligation, by Wendy Sakai, page 5. Wendy Sakai, NC-WNDC youth chairman, spoke at a Memorial Day service about Sansei learning the history of Issei and Nisei and the sacrifices of Nisei soldiers. She argued that the struggle against racism continues and that all minorities must achieve equality.
Commentary
- Pan-Asianism, by Po Sung Kim, page 4. Korean American publisher Po Sung Kim responds to the proposed Oriental American Citizens League, arguing Koreans have distinct identity concerns and would resist Japanese or Chinese-led organizations. He suggests a long goodwill effort and that the Pacific Citizen use plain English.
- Whaling Curtailment, by Vaughn M. Greene, page 4. Vaughn Greene urges Japanese Americans to pressure Japan to curtail its whaling industry, warning that continued slaughter could harm U.S.-Japan relations. He notes growing American ecology awareness.
- Mind Your Own Business, by William Marutani, page 5. William Marutani argues that some dedicated liberals overlook people in their zeal for causes and hold Nisei to harsher standards than others. He urges Nisei not to turn their backs on fellow Nisei despite their shortcomings.
- Hitonohageatama and Other Verse, by Edward M. Kitazumi, page 6. Edward Kitazumi shares several original waka, haiku, and senryu inspired by a motorcycle’s sound on a sunny morning. The poems reflect on cultural heritage and Japanese American identity.
Community
- Sacramento JACL Sets Up Isleton Flood Relief Fund, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Sacramento JACL established a fund to help residents of Isleton and surrounding areas affected by flooding. Donations can be made at Sumitomo Bank in Sacramento.
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.