Vol. 79, No. 6, August 9, 1974. 6 pages. View this issue
The JACL national convention in Portland filled this six-page issue. Shigeki Sugiyama gave his inaugural address as the new National President, and Harry Honda reported on the National Council’s adoption of a $562,900 budget for 1975-76 and on the chapter propositions and constitutional amendments delegates passed. Delegates also voted down an amendment to drop the citizenship requirement for membership, 46-15. Sen. Daniel Inouye spoke to the convention about world population growth, and Raymond Shonji Uno of Salt Lake City was named Japanese American of the Biennium.
Elsewhere in the issue, Stockton JACLer Kiyoshi Hirano negotiated the return of a temple bell to Genkakuji Temple in Japan, and a Cincinnati group began collecting Issei history. The Frying Pan column looked back at a 1920 newspaper report on Congressman Albert Johnson. A tribute to attorney Wayne M. Collins, who died July 16, appeared on page 6.
What’s in this issue
JACL
- Inaugural Speech — Shigeki Sugiyama elected JACL president, page 1. Shigeki Sugiyama delivered his inaugural address as the new JACL National President at the Portland convention. He outlined his priorities for the organization’s future.
- Portland Convention raises $562,900 budget for 1975-76, by Harry Honda, page 1. The National Council adopted a $562,900 budget for 1975-76 after lengthy debate over dues and programs. Delegates considered several options for funding JACL’s expanded activities.
- Chapter propositions evaluated; constitutional amendments passed, by Harry Honda, page 1. Delegates evaluated chapter propositions and passed several constitutional amendments at the national convention. Changes included dues restructuring and procedural revisions to JACL’s bylaws.
- Citizenship requirement for JACL membership hangs on, page 3. Convention delegates debated amendments to drop the citizenship requirement for JACL membership, and the main amendment was defeated 46-15. A companion amendment to remove the special member category was also rejected.
- Campaign spending limit and policy resolutions debated at national convention, page 5. Delegates adopted a recommended $250 campaign contribution limit for national JACL candidates and debated several policy resolutions. Discussion covered affirmative action, broadcast regulation, and urban renewal in Nihonmachi.
National
- Sen. Inouye speaks on world population, page 2. Senator Daniel Inouye addressed the JACL convention on the dangers of world population growth and its effects on food, resources, and U.S. foreign relations. He argued that population control is an urgent issue affecting all nations.
Commentary
- Frying Pan: Out of the Archives, page 3. A 1920 Denver Post report of Congressman Albert Johnson’s claims about a Japanese smuggling underground is examined. The column shows the racist attitudes toward Japanese Americans of that era.
Community
- Stockton JACLer Kiyoshi Hirano negotiates return of temple bell to Japan, page 3. Kiyoshi Hirano, a Stockton hotel owner and JACL member, negotiated the return of a long-lost temple bell to Genkakuji Temple in Japan. The bell, cast in 1899, was recovered after decades of being missing.
- Cincinnati starts local Issei history project, page 5. A Cincinnati Nikkei group is collecting Issei history, photographs, and memorabilia for a local record. Residents are asked to contact the organizers with materials.
Military & Veterans
- Raymond Shonji Uno named Japanese American of the Biennium, page 4. Raymond Uno of Salt Lake City was honored as Japanese American of the Biennium for his decades of public service and human rights work. His record includes civil rights, political, and community leadership.
Obituaries
- Wayne M. Collins: 1900-1974, page 6. Attorney Wayne Collins, who defended Iva Toguri d’Aquino and many Japanese Americans during World War II, died July 16 in San Francisco. JACL director David Ushio paid tribute to his tireless advocacy.
Arts & Entertainment
- Year of the Dragon and other stage notes, page 6. This column covers theater and entertainment news, including reviews and notes on Asian American performers. It highlights the work of Nikkei artists in film and stage.
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