Vol. 80, No. 20, May 23, 1975. 4 pages. View this issue
JACL President Shig Sugiyama wrote on the front page about a controversy that began with resolutions from the Midwest and Pacific Southwest District Councils. He said the National Board had not approved an investigation by a separate body, and that he had suspended the appointment of an investigator. The same page reported that the new National JACL Headquarters Building fund had passed $417,000 from 5,339 donors, with a July dedication planned in San Francisco.
Vietnamese refugees drew several pieces: David Ushio on opposition to their admission, Teujio Kato’s offer to sponsor a family, and columns by Tom Hibino and Stan Kiyokawa. Elsewhere are Kats Kunitsugu’s farewell to Fred Takata, Bill Hosokawa’s Frying Pan, a Memorial Day look at the 442nd Regimental Combat Team in Carrara, Italy, a reparations panel with Edison Uno, and a review of Susan Sunada Smith’s Americans from Japan.
What’s in this issue
Commentary
- Tough Job Ahead, by Shig Sugiyama, page 1. JACL National President Shig Sugiyama reports that the National Board has not approved an investigation by a separate body into the controversy stemming from Midwest and Pacific Southwest District Council resolutions. He says he has suspended the appointment of the pre-selected investigator and urges the organization to resolve the conflict with due regard for members’ rights and dignity.
- A Letter from Carrara, Italy, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The column recounts the 442nd Regimental Combat Team’s advance into Carrara, Italy, in April 1945, where companies of the 3rd Battalion pushed German forces out and were welcomed by Italian partisans. It is framed as a Memorial Day reflection on the unit’s wartime service.
- Tribulations of Youth, by Stan Kiyokawa, page 2. The author discusses the difficulty of keeping youth involved in JACL and the reasons a Sacramento youth chapter disbanded, arguing that younger members need independence and leadership roles. He concludes that a youth chapter’s survival depends on support from its parent chapter.
- Reparations panel discussion a real mind-blower, by Phil Shigekuni, page 2. The San Fernando Valley JACL member recounts a reparations panel discussion featuring Gail Nishioka and Edison Uno, and reflects on community support for reparations. He suggests the shared cause can unite the Japanese American community.
- For the Future, by Tom Hibino, page 2. The author urges JACL to organize task forces to address the needs of Vietnamese refugees and to pursue long-range educational, vocational, and economic programs. He also highlights two House bills concerning Asian American affairs and federal assistance.
- East-West Youth Exchange, by Marcie Ishii, page 2. The author proposes an exchange program between Midwest and California Sansei, drawing on a conversation with Chie Yokota of the Central California office. The idea is meant to give young people experience of Japanese American community life.
- Chiaroscuro, by Stan Kiyokawa, page 2. The column is a chapter president’s contribution on the Vietnamese refugee situation and community concerns. It urges JACL members to respond to new humanitarian challenges.
- Frying Pan, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Bill Hosokawa offers a humorous column on the ups and downs of youth and aging, using a Christie anecdote and a reflection on a childhood moment. The piece is light, personal commentary.
- A Farewell to Fred, by Kats Kunitsugu, page 4. Kats Kunitsugu remembers Fred Takata, Southern California JACL regional director and Mitsuiline manager, who died of cancer at 49. She recalls his warmth and humor and laments the loss of a man with so much more to give.
Community
- Bowling tourney entries received, by P.C. Staff, page 1. First entries have been received for the 20th annual National JACL Bowling Tournament scheduled July 28-August 2 in Berkeley, with a June 16 deadline. Headquarters hotel arrangements and an awards banquet have been set, and a $1,000 addition to the prize fund is planned.
- Nisei councilman offers Viet aid, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Oxnard City Councilman Teujio Kato offered to sponsor a Vietnamese refugee family after visiting refugee quarters at Camp Pendleton. Kato, who spent four years of his youth at Gila River WRA Center, said the visit brought back memories of the wartime experience.
- Bowling and Nisei Relays updates, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Several community event notices were posted, including the PSWDC Nisei Relays moved to Harbor College on June 1. These items provide logistical details for upcoming chapter sporting events.
- Visual Communications film showing June 6-7, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The National Youth Programs of the Buddhist Churches of America and the JACL will host showings of six Visual Communications films in Oakland and San Jose on June 6 and 7. Representatives from Visual Communications will discuss their films and answer questions.
JACL
- JACL HQ Bldg. Dedication Gala Slated in July, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Completion of the new National JACL Headquarters Building at 1765 Sutter St. in San Francisco has led to plans for a July dedication event. The day-long program will include a breakfast, an outdoor ceremony, tours, and an evening banquet under the theme ‘Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.’
- Bldg. Fund tops $410,000, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Donations to the National JACL Headquarters Building Fund have exceeded $417,000 from 5,339 donors, with about 17 percent of JACL membership participating. Campaign co-chairmen Steve Doi and Tad Hirota describe the response as an excellent tribute to the organization.
National
- Anti-Viet refugee stand berated, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL Executive Director David Ushio criticized national leaders, including Black leaders and Congressional Black Caucus members, for opposing the admission of Vietnamese refugees. He argued that such statements fuel anti-Asian sentiment and urged Americans to welcome the refugees in keeping with the nation’s immigrant heritage.
- Voter registration by mail bill seen as costly new bureaucracy, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Senator Hiram Fong opposed the National Voter Registration by Mail Bill before a Senate committee, arguing it would encourage fraud and create costly duplicate systems. Sen. Alan Cranston supported the bill as a way to enfranchise eligible voters.
Obituaries
- Fred Takata: 1925-1975, JACL-PC ex-staffer succumbs, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Fred T. Takata, 49, manager and later executive vice president of Mitsuiline Travel Agency, died of cancer May 10. He had served as Southern California JACL regional director, East Los Angeles JACL president, and PC business manager, and was known for organizing the Nisei Pun Tours.
Military & Veterans
- Pat Okura speaks on Asian Americans before junior class at West Point, by P.C. Staff, page 1. K. Patrick Okura, former national JACL president, addressed the junior class at the U.S. Military Academy on contemporary problems facing Asian Americans, including employment, housing, language barriers, and elderly services. He urged that Asian Americans be encouraged to contribute without denying their heritage.
Incarceration & Redress
- Fred I. Nakagawa case: American schools in Japan still cool toward affirmative action, by P.C. Staff, page 1. After a three-year struggle, Fred I. Nakagawa received a settlement for denied promotion within American schools in Yokohama, Japan, but he remained dissatisfied because the agency denied racial discrimination and refused affirmative action. He considered appealing to the U.S. Civil Service Commission appeals review board.
In-Depth
- Book Review: Susan Sunada Smith’s Americans from Japan reissued, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The review covers the reissue of Americans from Japan, a book by Susan Sunada Smith based on research from her wartime work with the Office of War Information. It describes the book’s detailed, factual account of Japanese Americans and its value as a reference.
Sports
- Nisei Relays or Bust, by George Yoshinaga, page 4. A columnist describes his attempt to train for the Nisei Relays senior 100-yard dash and his pulled muscle during a race with his son. He reflects humorously on the limits of aging.
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