The 1972 National JACL Convention: budget, dues and awards

Vol. 75, No. 3, July 21, 1972. 6 pages. View this issue

The 1972 National JACL Convention filled this six-page issue. Delegates approved a $359,687 budget on a 43-40 vote, raised national dues by 50 cents and made changes to the constitution, as reported by the P.C. Staff. Don Hayashi described the closing Sayonara Mixer and a preview of the 1974 convention in Portland. Honors went to Helen Kawagoe as JACLer of the Biennium, to the Seattle JACL for the George Inagaki Chapter of the Biennium prize, and to National Director Mas Satow at a testimonial luncheon.

San Jose Mayor Norman Mineta’s convention banquet address ran across two pages, on Japanese Americans in politics and on minorities and the economic system. Warren Furutani wrote about staff departures in his column, and readers sent letters on JACL’s direction. The Leadership Conference on Civil Rights received the Mike M. Masaoka Distinguished Service Award. Page 4 has a sumi-e exhibit review by Joe Oyama and a book review by Allan Beekman.

What’s in this issue

JACL

• JACL Adopts Resolutions and Budget at National Convention, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Delegates at the 1972 National JACL Convention approved a $359,687 budget and a 50-cent dues increase, along with constitutional changes and a range of resolutions. The convention also addressed reparations, legislation, criminal justice, and a presidential election questionnaire.
• JACL Approves $359,678 Budget, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Delegates adopted the annual JACL budget for 1973-1974 on a narrow 43-40 vote, leaving a projected deficit to be covered by membership solicitation. Dues were raised 50 cents and the Endowment Fund investment method was revised.
• Sayonara Mixer Unwinds Delegates, by Don Hayashi, page 1. The Sayonara Mixer at the Shoreham’s Blue Room closed the 1972 National JACL Convention and previewed the 1974 convention in Portland. The article highlights Oregon’s scenery and attractions for families.
• Safow Testimonial Luncheon Honors Satow, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Organizational honors and citations were presented to National Director Mas Satow at a convention luncheon, along with recognition for those who led repeal of the Emergency Detention Act. Special awards went to William Marumoto and Bishop James Walsh.
• Helen Kawagoe Named JACLer of the Biennium, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Helen Kawagoe, Pacific Southwest District governor and former Gardena Valley JACL president, was honored as the 1971-72 JACLer of the Biennium. Her membership growth and leadership in the chapter and district were cited.
• Inagaki Prize Won by Seattle JACL, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Seattle JACL received the George Inagaki Chapter of the Biennium award of $500. Honorable mentions went to Contra Costa and Puyallup Valley JACL.
• Sapphire Pins Awarded at Satow Testimonial, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Five longtime JACLers received sapphire pins for dedicated service at the Satow testimonial dinner during the National JACL Convention. Honorees included Henry Tanaka and several staff members.
• Mineta Focuses on Urban Problems, by P.C. Staff, page 2. San Jose Mayor Norman Mineta urged JACL members to become politically active, citing urban problems, national priorities, education, and employment. He argued that Japanese Americans cannot rest on their model-minority reputation.

Commentary

• Norman Mineta Convention Keynote: Japanese American in Politics, by Norman Mineta, page 2. In his convention banquet address, San Jose Mayor Norman Mineta urged Japanese Americans to take active roles in politics and confront urban crises. He outlined national priorities concerning war spending, environment, education, and employment.
• Letters from Our Readers, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Readers responded to the convention, expressing views on JACL’s direction, budget, and youth programs. Several letters criticized the organization’s focus on membership services over community needs.
• On Second Thought: Why Time in D.C., by Warren Furutani, page 3. Warren Furutani explains the reasons staff members left JACL after disagreements with the new executive director over organizational direction. He argues the JACL was moving toward an insular membership-services model rather than community service.
• Nanae Momiyama Sumi-e Exhibit Reviewed, by Joe Oyama, page 4. Joe Oyama reviews an exhibit of sumi-e paintings by Nanae Momiyama in Greenwich, Connecticut. He praises the simplicity and mystery of her works, including eggplants, shrimp, and chestnuts.
• Book Review: Pineapple White by John Shirota, by Allan Beekman, page 4. Allan Beekman reviews John Shirota’s novel Pineapple White, following Issei Jiro Saki’s move from Hawaii to Los Angeles. The reviewer finds the author has matured but still relies on stereotyped characters and redundant dialogue tags.
• Minorities and the Economic System, by Norman Mineta, page 5. Continuing his convention speech, Mineta argues that minorities need real advancement opportunities, not just entry-level jobs. He calls for civil service reform and the removal of arbitrary hiring requirements.

Community

• Nisei Scientists Recall Heishikan Years in Tokyo, by Jim Henry, page 3. Former Heishikan students, Nisei trained in Japan before the war, reflect on their careers and bilingual skills in postwar Tokyo. The article notes the high cost of living in Tokyo and the opportunities for young Americans there.
• Cabaret Ginza Opens Convention With Lively Entertainment, by Ellen Nakamura, page 3. The Philadelphia JACL hosted the welcome mixer Cabaret Ginza, which featured cultural dances and performances from chapters across the nation. The event was recorded as a social highlight of the convention.
• Leadership Conference on Civil Rights Receives Masaoka Award, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Leadership Conference on Civil Rights received the Mike M. Masaoka Distinguished Service Award, including a $1,000 check. Joseph Rauh accepted the award and spoke at the Congressional Dinner on reversing Evacuation-era constitutional issues.
• Hawaii News Capsules, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Brief Hawaii items cover a stabbing at a Hilo shop, the Ethnic Studies appointment dispute at the University of Hawaii, and cockfighting convictions. Additional items cover a traffic fatality and alumni honors.

National

• Settlement Houses Urge Lobbying for Voluntary Groups, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The National Federation of Settlements adopted resolutions at its Chicago meeting, including proposals for lobbying rights for voluntary agencies. Other resolutions addressed housing, health care, income assurance, and school desegregation.

Obituaries

• Jun Toguri, 90, Named to Chicago Hall of Fame, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Issei merchant Jun Toguri was posthumously recognized as a member of the Chicago Hall of Fame shortly before his death at age 90. The article recounts his wartime evacuation, business success, and charitable work.

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