A White House briefing for Asian Americans and the yen claims law

Vol. 75, No. 17, October 27, 1972. 6 pages. View this issue

A White House briefing and reception on Oct. 18 for nearly 50 Asian Americans from across the country led this six-page issue. Tom Shigekuni reported that speakers explained federal programs, and the story described the gathering as a possible historical first. Also on page 1, the Justice Department declined to publish a list of yen claimants, saying it would hinder processing, and asked claimants to refile within the 180-day period. Allan Beekman wrote on Honolulu Mayor Frank Fasi’s re-election fight, and Haruko Moriyasu reported on Utah Japanese opposition to two expansion plans in Salt Lake City.

Inside, a guest column reviewed the traveling Executive Order 9066 exhibit, praising the photographs by Dorothea Lange. Rich Liefer profiled Nisei farmer Robert Sakata of Brighton, Colorado. Page 4 carries chapter news from Detroit, Milwaukee, Sonoma County, Eden Township and Arizona, and page 5 has a book review of The Honorable Picnic.

What’s in this issue

National

• Close to 50 Asian Americans Participate in Historic White House Briefing, by By TOM SHIGEKUNI, page 1. Nearly 50 Asian Americans from across the nation attended a White House briefing and reception on Oct. 18, described as a possible historical first. Speakers explained federal programs including the Cost of Living Council, Domestic Council, and Office of Minority Business Enterprise.
• Justice Dept. Says Yen Claims List Would Hinder Processing, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Justice Department declined to publish a list of Japanese American yen claimants, arguing it would hinder processing of new claims under the recently enacted law. Claimants were asked to refile within the 180-day period allowed by the Act.
• Prominent Democrats Fight Re-election of Mayor Fasi, by By ALLAN BEEKMAN, page 1. Honolulu Mayor Frank Fasi faces re-election challenges as prominent Democrats defect to support Republican candidate D.G. Anderson. The column analyzes political maneuvering, part-Hawaiian voting blocs, and the Democratic primary split.
• Great Western Sugar Purchased by Nisei-Chaired Cooperative, page 1. The Great Western Producers Cooperative, headed by Robert Y. Sakata, agreed to purchase Great Western Sugar for an estimated $90 million. The purchase is subject to member and stockholder approval and will be financed through member equity and debentures.
• Mayor Mineta Argues City Planning Powers Denuded by Federal Policies, page 1. San Jose Mayor Norman Mineta told the League of California Cities that federal tax, housing, and highway policies have overridden local efforts to shape growth. He urged cities to press Washington for policy change and supported a big-city committee within the League.

Community

• Isleton Flood Relief Group Receives $12,000, page 1. Japanese American groups announced $12,685.04 received to aid victims of the Isleton-area flood, with $181.88 in expenses leaving $12,503.16 for disbursement.
• Kawabe House Design Honored by State Group, page 1. The Kawabe Memorial House, designed by John Y. Sato and Associates, received recognition from the Washington Aggregates and Concrete Association for its built-in beauty. The Woo & Park firm and Sato Co. were also credited in the project.
• Bay Area JACL Assists Nisei Postal Employee in Job Discrimination Case, page 1. The Bay Area Community JACL helped resolve an alleged discrimination case in which a Nisei postal employee was denied promotion to Berkeley personnel director despite high test scores. The postal service responded with a letter acknowledging the problem, and chapter co-chairmen urged others to seek chapter assistance.
• Utah Japanese Opposing Two Expansion Plans, by By HARUKO MORIYASU, page 1. Japanese community members in Salt Lake City are opposing proposals that would disperse the Japanese community through expansion of the Salt Palace and a civic center plan. They plan to seek united community support and backing from other minority groups to keep the area intact.
• Holiday Issue Calls for Chapter Reports, page 2. JACL chapters are asked to submit highlights of their year for the Holiday Issue by the end of the month. Reports will be included in the annual publication.
• Hawaii Local News Roundup, page 3. Hawaii news items include federal courthouse naming suggestions, a tuna fishing industry bill, appointments in the state attorney general’s office, and a boxing dispute. Also reported are a murder charge against a crime syndicate figure.
• Gardena City Council Vindicated in Card Club Ordinance Ruling, page 3. Superior Court Judge William MacFadden ruled that the Gardena City Council has authority to regulate card club closing hours. The decision paved the way for Councilman Bannai to introduce a motion to repeal the ordinance.
• Riverside JACL Sets Feb. 10 Installation Date, page 4. The Riverside JACL announced its installation dinner for Feb. 10 at Hickory Corners, with David Ushio as guest speaker. The chapter also reports on its upcoming events and officer slate.
• Detroit JACL Holds Far East Festival Fundraiser, page 4. Detroit JACL joined other Asian groups in staging a Far East Festival in July, offering food and entertainment and netting about $2,500 in profit. The article lists committee chairs and volunteers involved.
• Milwaukee JACL Holiday Folk Fair and Picnic News, page 4. Milwaukee JACL reports on its community picnic, which drew around 125 participants, and on its Holiday Folk Fair. Fundraising efforts and member recognition events are described.
• Eden Township JACL Holds Issei Appreciation Dinner, page 4. The Eden Township JACL honored Issei with a potluck appreciation dinner attended by 140 people. Chapter leaders and honorees, including centenarian-aged Issei, were recognized.
• Arizona JACL Annual Election Held, page 4. Arizona JACL held its annual election of five board members for a three-year term. Chapter activities also included assistance at an Executive Order 9066 exhibit at the Phoenix Art Museum.
• Milwaukee Area Nisei Recognized at Fund-Raising Event, page 4. A Milwaukee JACL event recognized local Nisei with a dinner and program. Proceeds supported community programs and the chapter’s activities.

JACL

• EDC to Air Aging Problem of Issei at Nov. 4 Meeting, page 1. The JACL Eastern District Council will meet Nov. 4 in Seabrook, New Jersey, focusing on problems facing elderly Issei, with Brandeis gerontology consultant Sharon Fujii as luncheon speaker. A public forum on the Issei will follow the session.
• Congressional Tributes to Issei Pioneers, by Masao W. Satow, page 2. Reprints of the June 29 Congressional Record paying tribute to Issei pioneers are available from JACL headquarters and the Washington office. The column also covers the PNW District meeting and 1973 National Bowling Tournament planning.
• Visitations Policy for National JACL Officers, page 2. National JACL published travel stipulations governing visits by national officers to chapters and districts ahead of installation season. Cost-sharing arrangements for regular council meetings and district conventions are specified.

Military & Veterans

• Issei Grandmother of 36 in Gardena Cited, page 1. Henry Okamoto’s mother was recognized as the Gardena grandmother with the most grandchildren, 36, in a Grandmother’s Day search by the Gardena Valley News. The article also profiles co-honorees Edith Gruber, Dora Raper, and Elma Hopper.
• Robert Sakata Looks After 3,000 Acres, by By RICH LIEFER, page 2. Robert Sakata, a Nisei farmer in Brighton, Colorado, runs a 3,000-acre operation of sweet corn, onions, and sugar beets after starting with a 40-acre truck farm in 1944. The profile, reprinted from the Kansas City Packer, covers his farming philosophy and innovations.
• Sonoma County JACL Hosts 29th Nisei GI Memorial, page 4. Sonoma County JACL will host the 29th annual Nisei GI Memorial Service on Oct. 29 at the Enmanji Buddhist Temple in Sebastopol. The service honors Nisei veterans with a memorial program.

Commentary

• Executive Order 9066 Exhibit Reviewed, page 2. The guest columnist reviews the traveling photographic exhibit on the wartime internment of Japanese Americans, praising its direct evidentiary photographs largely by Dorothea Lange. The column reflects on America’s habit of documenting its own injustices and draws parallels to present-day concerns.
• Asian American Drug Abuse Plan Supported by L.A. County, page 3. Los Angeles County Narcotics Commissioner Mas Fukai is spearheading a proposed Asian American drug abuse program for youth in the Gardena and South Bay areas. The county has requested a federal NIMH grant for the effort.

In-Depth

• Stage Manager for TV Show Worked as Sports Writer, English Teacher, page 3. Gary Shimokawa, a stage manager on CBS-TV’s All in the Family, previously worked as a sports writer and English teacher. He describes the show’s cast and his career path, and mentions a screenplay he is developing with a partner.

Arts & Entertainment

• Japanese Concert Slated Nov. 5 at Music Center, page 3. The Japanese Philharmonic Society of Los Angeles, under the patronage of the Consulate General of Japan, will present a concert of 10th and 20th century Japanese music on Nov. 5 at the Music Center Pavilion. Guest artists include violinist Tomoda Soh and soprano Hiroko Kitano.
• The Honorable Picnic by Thomas Raucat, page 5. A review of Thomas Raucat’s novel about a Swiss philanderer pursuing two Japanese girls in Tokyo in 1922. The reviewer notes its comic portrayal of Japanese customs and praises its final chapter.

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