Vol. 80, No. 17, May 2, 1975. 4 pages. View this issue
Two JACL district councils called for an open investigation of the national executive director and the elected national leadership, and Shigeki Sugiyama’s column asked who would sit on such a body, what it would examine and what would be done with its findings. The Washington, D.C. chapter board voted to support national president Shig Sugiyama. Harry Honda reported on the national staff retreat, where 16 staff members worked on roles, personnel policy and plans for the new headquarters building.
Other stories covered the JACL Political Education Committee’s talk of reactivating JACL-ADC and its approach to a reparations bill, and the Executive Committee’s support for the Vietnamese orphan airlift. Congressman Spark Matsunaga spoke at the kickoff banquet for the 1976 Nisei Veterans Reunion. Gerrold Mukai outlined a plan to raise $1,000,000. Edison Uno’s column reviewed films, and Lee Ruttle reviewed Yoshiko Uchida’s The Birthday Visitor.
What’s in this issue
JACL
- Call for Investigation, page 1. The Pacific Southwest and Midwest District Councils called for an open investigation of the national executive director and elected national leadership. Several critical questions about the scope and conduct of the proposed investigation were left unresolved.
- 16 Staff Members Rally at Retreat, by By HARRY HONDA, page 1. JACL’s national staff met for a 24-day retreat in April to define roles and strengthen administration. Participants discussed communication lines, personnel policy, and plans for the new headquarters building.
- JACL-ADC, Inc. May Be Reactivated, page 1. The newly formed National JACL Political Education Committee discussed its role and reviewed legislative issues in San Francisco. The committee considered reactivating a separate legislative organization and debated approaches to a reparations bill for Japanese American evacuees.
- Overflow Crowd at Kickoff Fete for 1976 Nisei Veterans Reunion, page 2. Congressman Spark Matsunaga addressed an overflow crowd at the kickoff banquet for the 1976 Nisei Veterans Reunion in Chicago. He described the Japanese American experience as an inspiration for other minority groups.
National
- JACL Supports ‘Babylift’, page 1. The JACL Executive Committee supported the airlift of Vietnamese orphans while deploring its use for propaganda. The organization also urged major countries and international groups to supply humanitarian relief to Vietnam.
- People in U.S. Over 55 Without Birth Certificate Get Census Bureau Help, page 1. The Age Search Branch of the Census Bureau provides transcripts of census records to persons born before birth registration became mandatory. The service helps people obtain evidence of age for employment, retirement, and other purposes.
- Asian Americans ‘Gun Shy’ of Politics: March Fong, page 1. Secretary of State March Fong Eu told a San Diego gathering that Asian Americans have been reluctant to enter politics. She noted that acceptance of Asians in politics is increasing.
- Final JACL ADC Report in ’54 Confab Minutes, page 4. Mike Masaoka submitted the final report of the JACL Anti-Discrimination Committee covering 1946 to 1952 at the 1954 National Convention. The report appears in the convention minutes and the 1954 holiday issue of the Pacific Citizen.
Community
- Riverside Hosts Spring PSWDC Meet, page 1. Riverside JACL will host the second PSWDC quarterly session on May 18 at San Bernardino State College. Jim Urata is in charge of arrangements.
- Washington, D.C. JACL Board Supports Sugiyama, page 1. The Washington, D.C. JACL board voted to support national president Shig Sugiyama regarding charges made by the PSWDC. Chapter president Mel Chiogioji announced the position.
- Mukai Tells How JACL Can Raise $1,000,000, page 2. Development director Gerrold Mukai outlined a fundraising formula for JACL based on roughly 20,000 members contributing $10 per year for five years. He presented the plan at the national staff conference at Camp Corralitos.
- ABC-TV Profile on Mineta Slated, page 2. ABC-TV’s Americans All series will air a five-minute profile of Rep. Norman Mineta on May 10. The segment covers his time as mayor of San Jose and his election to Congress.
- 1975 Mothers of the Year Honored by Downtown L.A. JACL, page 3. Downtown L.A. JACL will honor Mitsuyo Inadomi and Sumiko Murakami at its annual Mother’s Day dinner. Both women are recognized for their decades of work and devotion to their families through hardship.
- Chapter Pulse: May Events, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Cleveland JACL plans its Issei Day celebration on Mother’s Day, and Salinas Valley JACL will present its scholarship awards on May 31. Several chapters also reported recent activities.
Incarceration & Redress
- Wording Sought for Crystal City Plaque, page 1. Former residents of the Crystal City internment camp in Texas are invited to suggest text for a memorial plaque marking the site as a state historical landmark. Edison Uno is coordinating the submissions and may help organize a Northern California committee.
Sports
- Kanohana Wins Osaka Sumo Tournament, page 3. Former champion Kanohana won the spring Osaka sumo tournament in a final-day playoff. The 25-year-old ozeki recorded a 13-2 win-loss record in the regular series.
Commentary
- Time Out for Films, by Edison Uno, page 4. The columnist reviews the documentary Hearts and Minds, which he finds political and anti-war in tone. He also recommends the film The White Dawn as a depiction of Eskimo life in the Canadian Arctic.
Arts & Entertainment
- Yoshiko Uchida’s 19th Book, by Lee Ruttle, page 4. Reviewer Lee Ruttle discusses Yoshiko Uchida’s new children’s book, The Birthday Visitor, set in the 1930s. The story follows a Nisei girl whose birthday party is disrupted by a visiting minister.
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