David Ushio resigns as JACL executive director, 1976

Vol. 82, No. 7, February 20, 1976. 4 pages. View this issue

David Ushio’s resignation as JACL National Executive Director led the front page. The story noted that his short tenure had expanded JACL’s outreach, and National President James Murakami praised his leadership. Harry Honda reported that the national treasury faced a deficit of about $100,000, with a proposed dues increase and the 1977-78 budget set for the June convention in Sacramento, which was already drawing preparations. Edison T. Uno marked the anniversary of Executive Order 9066 in his column, and an editorial urged support for a pardon for Iva Toguri d’Aquino.

Bill Hosokawa wrote about efforts to find and restore the Heart Mountain honor roll. Elsewhere in the four pages are the 100th Battalion reunion plans, a seminar on the Japanese American experience in Minnesota, and chapter news from Milwaukee, Tulare County, Eden Township and Alameda, where National President Shig Sugiyama spoke on the Bicentennial.

What’s in this issue

National

  • Ushio resigns as National Executive Director of JACL, by P.C. Staff, page 1. David Ushio submitted his resignation as JACL National Executive Director after a short tenure that saw expanded JACL outreach and new opportunities. National President James Murakami praised his leadership and dedication.
  • Nat’l faces $100-G deficit, by Harry Honda, page 1. JACL’s national treasury faces a deficit of about $100,000 for the current budget, with budget reviews and a proposed dues increase under consideration. Delegates will weigh options for balancing the 1977-78 budget at the June convention.

Community

  • Convention fever mounts, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Preparations are underway for the 24th Biennial National JACL Convention in Sacramento, June 21-26, with events planned for the whole family. Convention themed ‘A Proud Legacy’ will feature parades, banquets and Bicentennial activities.
  • Japanese farm labor agency broke, by P.C. Staff, page 1. California’s Agricultural Labor Relations Board ceased operations after a budget impasse left it $3.8 million short. Governor Brown’s emergency appropriation was killed by the legislature, leaving growers and union leaders at odds.
  • Milwaukee JACL 30th anniversary, by Reid Allen, page 3. The Milwaukee JACL celebrated its 30th anniversary with an inaugural dinner installing K. Henry Date as chairman and Linda Kamikawa as JAYs president. National JACL President Shig Sugiyama spoke on reappraising the nation at the Bicentennial.
  • Tulare County JACL, by Chie Yokota, page 3. The Tulare County chapter offers a full calendar of social and service activities, including health clinics, a 40th anniversary celebration and a Reno fun trip. The chapter newsletter and membership efforts are also highlighted.
  • Eden Township JACL Youth Activities Predominant, by George Kondo, page 3. Eden Township JACL sponsors youth basketball, a scout troop and senior citizen programs serving the Issei. The chapter also plans health screenings and its annual bazaar.
  • Installation, by Jim Fukuhara, page 3. Several chapters including Monterey Peninsula, Fremont, Downtown Los Angeles and St. Louis held installation dinners and events in January and February. Speakers included David Ushio and chapter leaders outlined their goals for 1976.
  • Nikkei Program for Minnesotans, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Minnihon Arts Center developed a six-part seminar on the Japanese American experience for Minnesota audiences, funded by humanities grants. Lectures will cover immigration, evacuation and community growth.
  • Vietnam village for tourists set, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Fundamentalist preacher Carl McIntire sponsors a Vietnamese village tourist attraction in Florida staffed by Vietnamese refugees. The attraction is criticized as a recreation of wartime villages.

Military & Veterans

  • Nisei Veterans Reunion, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Planning for the 100th Battalion reunion at Camp McCoy, Wis., is shifting into high gear with dates set for July 22-25. Pre-reunion events and a Sayonara Banquet are scheduled.

Commentary

  • Frank Baba, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Frank Baba, a Nisei USIA official, was named to the Japanese American Citizens League’s list of honored persons and his career is summarized. His service as foreign correspondents’ advisor is highlighted.
  • Iva Toguri: Victim of a Legend, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The editorial examines the case of Iva Toguri d’Aquino, the Nisei convicted as ‘Tokyo Rose’, and argues she was punished as a legend rather than a human being. It urges support for her pardon campaign.
  • Concent. Camps, by Edison T. Uno, page 2. Uno reflects on the anniversary of Executive Order 9066 and the incarceration of Japanese Americans. He criticizes S.I. Hayakawa’s remarks on the term concentration camps and JACL’s redress efforts.
  • Nihonshoku seems to delight palate of Calif. governor, by Shig Sakamoto, page 2. Sakamoto reports that Governor Brown has repeatedly dined at a small Japanese restaurant in Sacramento. The owner and staff describe the governor’s visits and his modest, personal manner.
  • A Part-Ainu Replies, by Nobuyuki Nakajima, page 2. Nakajima responds to a prior letter about Ainu mistreatment, describing his family’s proud heritage and historical Ainu ancestry. He argues the Ainu were not systematically persecuted and that most Japanese have some Ainu ancestry.

Incarceration & Redress

  • Heart Mt. Honor Roll, by Bill Hosokawa, page 2. Hosokawa describes efforts by Heart Mountain homesteaders to locate and restore the camp’s war honor roll, which has deteriorated. He calls for anyone with a copy of the names to contact the Pacific Citizen or Congressman Roncalio.
  • Donee group renamed Committee for Responsive Philanthropy; CL member, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The former Donee Group has been renamed the Committee for Responsive Philanthropy, an umbrella of nearly 60 national organizations including JACL. Its goal is to make private philanthropy more responsive to powerless citizen groups.

JACL

  • Sugiyama speaks on Bicentennial at Alameda JACL, by Roland Kadonaga, page 3. National President Shig Sugiyama addressed the Alameda JACL installation dinner on reflecting during the Bicentennial and the need for solutions to societal problems. Scholarships were presented to two local students.

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