Vol. 81, No. 6, August 8, 1975. 6 pages. View this issue
The Japanese American Cultural and Community Center in Los Angeles was renamed the American Bicentennial Commemorative Japanese American Cultural Center, a change meant to draw wider support from funders in Japan and closer to home. The front page also reported that a minority of the board objected to dropping the word “community.” Indochinese refugees ran through much of the issue: a Senate subcommittee report led by Sen. Hiram Fong, a note on refugees reluctant to leave military camps, and Buddhist Churches of America efforts to sponsor and assist families.
Other items include Harry K. Honda on changes at the paper, Wayne Horiuchi’s two columns from the Washington office, and an excerpt arguing that the forced removal of Japanese Americans was not a military necessity. Reports cover compensation for Japanese Americans wrongly detained in World War II, Congress extending the Voting Rights Act, workshops for the Tri-District Conference in Anaheim, and Berkeley JACL’s Olympics title.
What’s in this issue
Incarceration & Redress
- Name change for center devised to arouse wider support, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Japanese American Cultural and Community Center in Los Angeles was renamed the American Bicentennial Commemorative Japanese American Cultural Center, a change meant to broaden funding sources in Japan and locally. A minority of the board objected to dropping the word “community” from the title.
- Evacuation was not a military necessity, page 3. This excerpt examines the government’s justification for Japanese American evacuation and argues that military necessity was not the real motive. It draws on documents and the statements of officials such as DeWitt and Bendetsen.
National
- Refugee resettlement issue aired, page 1. JACL national headquarters reported on discussions about payments to Japanese Americans wrongly detained during WWII, including questions of eligibility and payment methods. The article covers proposed compensation categories such as humiliation and economic losses.
- State of Wash. wants west coast cherry blossom park, page 1. Sen. Warren Magnuson requested that a West Coast cherry blossom park, which Japan was considering as a Bicentennial gift, be located in Washington State. He also asked the governor to prepare a list of suitable sites.
- Congress passes 7-yr. extension of Voting Act, page 1. Congress approved a seven-year extension of key Voting Rights Act of 1965 provisions, including bilingual voting assistance requirements. The JACL supported the bilingual provisions.
- Senate recommendations on Indochinese refugees, page 1. A Senate subcommittee report led by Sen. Hiram Fong made recommendations on resettling Indochinese refugees, including camp changes and sponsorship practices. The report also addressed security clearances and payment for former U.S. employees.
- Mineta announces U.S. fund for his area, page 1. Rep. Norman Mineta reported over $230 million in federal funds allocated to Santa Clara County firms, schools, and agencies. The largest share went to Lockheed for a Navy missile program.
- Culver City mayor accused of racist remarks made at city council session, page 1. The Coalition of Concerned Culver Citizens condemned racist remarks by Mayor Richard Pachtman, who compared a college dispute to the Pearl Harbor attack. Dr. Harold Harada said the remarks threatened the Culver City-Kaizuka sister city relationship.
- Parade magazine article, by David Ushio, page 2. JACL national director David Ushio discusses a Parade Magazine feature on Japanese Americans and the response it generated. He addresses welcoming Vietnamese refugees and responding to negative letters.
Community
- Two Sansei held for murder of witness to their felony hit-run, page 1. Two young Japanese Americans were arrested in Los Angeles for the murder of a security guard who tried to detain them after a felony hit-and-run. Police recovered two automatic pistols after the suspects fled on foot.
- More names enclosed in Hiroshima cenotaph, page 1. Names of 1,725 more persons were added to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial cenotaph during the August 6 memorial service. The list now contains 84,803 names.
- ABC-JACC, Inc., page 1. The Japanese American cultural center’s architectural team of Kazumi Adachi, Kiyoshi Sawano, and Hideo Matsunaga was selected to design the complex. The article describes the architects’ backgrounds and projects.
- Resettled Vietnamese visit BCA church, receive assistance, page 2. Buddhist churches collected clothing and supplies for Indochinese refugees and hosted refugees at a San Francisco church. The Buddhist Churches of America also established a sponsorship relationship with the American Council for Nationalities Service.
- Malpractice suits, page 3. Dr. Watanabe discusses the rise in malpractice lawsuits and their effect on doctors and patients. He notes that most settlement money goes to legal fees and court costs.
- Japan Minyo dancers captivate Ogden group, page 3. Japanese Minyo dancers performed for an audience in Ogden, Utah after being invited to the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. The show was co-sponsored by the Utah Bicentennial Commission and the Wasatch Front North JACL.
- Vietnamese refugee sponsorship, page 3. The Buddhist Churches of America explains general sponsorship responsibilities for resettling Vietnamese refugees. Sponsors provide housing, food, medical care, and job assistance until the refugee becomes self-sufficient.
- Hawaii news and notes, page 6. Brief Hawaii news items cover a Caltech junior’s award, a Hilo fish monger’s complaints about police, and refugee assistance rivalries. The column also includes Hawaii sports and business notes.
Military & Veterans
- Camp-itis detected, page 2. Agencies resettling the remaining refugees at Camp Pendleton and elsewhere have noticed reluctance among refugees to leave the security of military camps. Officials say refugees fear the unknown outside.
Commentary
- Ye Editor’s Desk: Changes at the P.C., by Harry K. Honda, page 2. The editor discusses staff and production changes at the Pacific Citizen, including a shift toward offset printing. The column also notes changes in how the paper is produced and distributed.
- Inside the Washington Office, by Wayne Horiuchi, page 3. JACL’s Washington representative reflects on the political climate and the importance of serving members’ needs. He describes office practices and advice received from Japanese Americans in Washington.
- Plain Speaking, by Wayne Horiuchi, page 3. Horiuchi writes about rising skepticism toward government spending and the need for elected officials to listen to constituents. He also reflects on Japanese American leadership in Washington.
JACL
- Workshops aim to stimulate Calif. Tri-District Conference, by Ken Hayashi, page 3. California JACL districts planned workshop topics for the September Tri-District Conference in Anaheim. Topics include scholarships, farm labor law, and reparations.
Sports
- Berkeley JACL wins Olympics title, page 3. Berkeley JACL claimed the overall title at the San Francisco JACL Olympics for the fifth straight year. Results by division and outstanding athletes are reported.
Obituaries
- Milestones, page 6. The column notes deaths of community leaders including George Kameichi Kittaka of Chicago and Maruyama of La Junta, Colorado. It includes brief memorial service details.
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