A lawsuit against JACL’s director, and a first for Congress

Vol. 80, No. 6, February 14, 1975. 4 pages. View this issue

A breach of contract suit led the news. Oakland JACL president Ray Nagel filed a $42,850 complaint against National JACL Executive Director David Ushio, alleging he had promised Nagel a job at national headquarters. Ushio denied the charges. Pat Okura reported on newly elected Rep. Norman Mineta, who told the Washington D.C. JACL installation dinner-dance that the organization must protect civil liberties for all Americans. Ground was also broken for the 18-story Little Tokyo Towers senior housing project.

Elsewhere in the four pages are Jerry Enomoto’s appointment to head California’s corrections department, Agriculture Secretary Earl Butz speaking to Nisei farmers in Fresno, and Justice Department proposals on hiring and illegal aliens. Shig Sakamoto wrote about Kenjinkai, and finalists were named for the JAL-JACL Cultural Heritage Fellowships. Local news covered San Mateo’s crime worries and Mike Honda’s honor from the San Jose Jaycees.

What’s in this issue

JACL

• Oakland JACL Files Complaint Against National Executive Director, page 1. Oakland JACL president Ray Nagel filed a $42,850 breach of contract suit against National JACL Executive Director David Ushio, alleging Ushio promised him a job at national headquarters. Ushio declined to comment beyond saying the charges are denied.
• Eight Finalists Selected for JACL-JAL Cultural Heritage Fellowships, page 1. Eight finalists were chosen from 60 applicants for the JAL-JACL Cultural Heritage Fellowships, which include study and travel in Japan. Finalists will be interviewed in San Francisco on March 22 before winners are announced.

Community

• Ground Broken for Little Tokyo Towers Senior Housing, page 1. Groundbreaking was held February 2 for the 18-story Little Tokyo Towers senior citizens housing project before civic officials and prospective residents. Participants included city council and redevelopment officials and JACL representatives.
• Gov. Ariyoshi to Address JAL-JACL Cultural Heritage Banquet, page 1. Hawaii Governor George Ariyoshi will speak at the JAL-JACL Cultural Heritage Banquet on March 22 in San Francisco. Four Cultural Heritage Fellowships will be awarded at the event.
• San Jose Couple Contributes $12,000 to Building Fund, page 1. Tsutomu Tom Wakimoto and his wife of San Jose donated $12,000 to the National Headquarters Building Fund. Wakimoto, a real estate developer, said they wanted to recognize JACL’s accomplishments for the Japanese American community.
• Sec. Butz Lauds Nisei Farmers, page 1. Agriculture Secretary Earl Butz praised Japanese American farmers at the Nisei Farmers League annual banquet in Fresno. He credited them with the old-fashioned work ethic and self-reliance that he said has eroded elsewhere in America.
• San Mateo JACL Seeks State Help to Combat ‘Blanket Bandit’ Gang, page 3. San Mateo JACL asked Attorney General Evelle Younger for help against a gang attacking and robbing elderly residents, including a murder and a rape in the Japanese American community. The chapter has been working with police and community groups on crime prevention.
• Mike Honda Named Outstanding Young Man of 1974, page 3. San Jose JACL president Michael M. Honda was named the San Jose Jaycees’ Outstanding Young Man of the Year. Honda is active in community and civic groups and works at Stanford’s Center for Research and Development in Teaching.
• Floyd Mori Campaign Coverage, page 3. Floyd Mori, a JACL leader and economics instructor at Chabot College, was honored by Bay Area friends at a fundraising event in San Francisco. He has served in multiple local water and civic management roles.
• Bilingual Gerontology Class for Issei Starts, page 3. University Adult School started a bilingual gerontology class taught by Toy Kanegai at the Felicia Mahood Senior Citizens Center in West Los Angeles. The class covers English, consumer education, hobbies, and Social Security.
• Nisei Relays Revamped for 1975, page 4. The JACL Nisei Relays track meet was restructured for its 24th annual event on June 1, with classifications now based strictly on age. New standards and special events were added to encourage wider participation.
• Gilroy JACL Installation Dinner Features Mayor Hibino, page 4. Gilroy JACL held its installation dinner with Salinas Mayor Henry Hibino as main speaker. Hibino urged Nisei to become involved in local politics, school boards, and city councils so their voice would be heard.

National

• Rep. Norman Mineta Emphasizes JACL Role in Protecting Civil Liberties, by By PAT OKURA, page 1. Newly elected Rep. Norman Mineta, the first Japanese American congressman from the mainland, spoke at the Washington D.C. JACL installation dinner-dance. He stressed JACL’s responsibility to protect civil liberties for all Americans.
• Justice Dept. Proposes Tougher Employment Rules Against Illegal Aliens, page 1. The Justice Department proposed requiring documentary proof of citizenship or legal status for all persons hired in the US to reduce employment of illegal aliens. The proposals go further than measures already advanced in Congress.
• State Won’t Appeal Ruling on Illegal Alien Welfare, page 1. California welfare officials decided not to appeal a Superior Court ruling that the government bears the burden of proving aliens are in the country illegally before denying welfare. The San Diego County Legal Aid attorneys who brought the suit said the ruling reestablishes prior procedure.
• JACL Dissatisfied with Revenue Sharing Renewal Proposals, page 1. Twenty-two civil rights and religious groups, including JACL, wrote to President Ford objecting to proposals to renew revenue sharing with minimal changes. They argued the proposals would perpetuate discrimination and weaken citizen participation and accountability.
• Jerry Enomoto Appointed Director of State Corrections Department, page 1. Former National JACL president Jerry Enomoto was appointed by Gov. Jerry Brown to head California’s Department of Corrections, subject to Senate confirmation. Enomoto has long experience in corrections and previously served as acting superintendent of the California Institution for Women.

Arts & Entertainment

• Visual Communications to Show Asian American Films, page 1. Visual Communications will screen six films and filmstrips on February 10 at two Los Angeles locations. Featured works include a portrait of three Issei women and a look at multicultural influences on poet Lawson Inada.

Commentary

• Nikkei Christians Back Appointment of Buddhist Priest as Senate Chaplain, page 1. Japanese American Christian leaders rebuked Rev. Joseph Jackson for protesting the appointment of a Buddhist priest as California Senate chaplain. They argued the Judeo-Christian requirement is not in the state constitution and that the Senate’s choice reflects democratic pluralism.
• More Nisei Should Get Involved in Their Area Kenjinkai, by By SHIG SAKAMOTO, page 3. The author argues that more Nisei and Sansei should join Kenjinkai, prefectural associations that provide community service and charity. He notes these groups offer practical support to members and the broader community.
• Mumblings from the Midwest, page 3. The MDC reports on Chicago JACL’s Asian American voter registration drive in the 48th Ward and a White House meeting with ethnic leaders. The column describes the challenges of door-to-door outreach and shared concerns with white ethnic communities.
• Wakayama Kenjinkai New Year Celebration Recap, page 3. Sacramento’s Wakayama Kenjinkai held its New Year celebration attracting 300 attendees with door prizes and performances. The writer describes the event as a community gathering of the Issei and Nikkei.

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