Jewish-Nikkei forum, the Rice Act and a director’s resignation

Vol. 82, No. 6, February 13, 1976. 4 pages. View this issue

A Jewish-Nikkei forum in San Francisco, co-sponsored by the JACL and the American Jewish Committee, led this four-page issue. Speakers including David Ushio and Ernest Weiner discussed stereotypes, loyalty questions and the need for coalition work against bigotry. The front page also reported that Congress passed the JACL-supported Rice Act of 1975, and that National Executive Director David Ushio had submitted his resignation effective September 30, 1976.

Elsewhere, Bill Hosokawa’s column “Let Freedom Ring” looked at hatred toward immigrant Japanese, and Wayne Horiuchi’s “Plain Speaking” took up the Rice Act. Readers will also find news of E.O. 9066 Inc.’s Los Angeles dinner honoring Dr. Gordon Hirabayashi, the Marin County JACL chapter, the Sakura Festival, the 1000 Club leaflet, and JACL flights to Japan.

What’s in this issue

Community

• Jewish-Nikkei forum held, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The JACL and American Jewish Committee co-sponsored a Jewish-Nikkei forum in San Francisco addressing stereotypes and misconceptions held by each community. Speakers including David Ushio and Ernest Weiner discussed loyalty questions and the need for coalition work against bigotry.
• Mrs. Bannai ‘second’ in school board pick, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Howard Miller was named to fill a Los Angeles Board of Education vacancy, with Hideko Bannai receiving the one vote in the second round. Bannai was among 16 Asian Americans in the field of 337 candidates.
• SF gears for Sakura Festival, by P.C. Staff, page 1. San Francisco’s 1976 Cherry Blossom Festival will culminate in a parade on April 25, with several performing groups scheduled. Organizers describe the festival as one of their best yet.
• NC-WN eyes own nat’l JAYs parley, by Doris Okano, page 1. The Northern California-Western Nevada District Youth Council is planning activities for the year, including a workshop at the Sacramento convention and attendance at the National JAYS Convention in Minnesota. Chapter leaders and fundraising efforts for convention expenses are also described.
• Marin County JACL: Our Newest Chapter, by Bev Matsushi, page 1. The Marin County JACL chapter, established in June 1975, aims to articulate the meaning of the Japanese American experience rather than focus on a physical Japanese community. Its priorities include a youth program and speaker events featuring notable Japanese American figures.
• Trial date likely to be set Feb. 23 for W. Yoshimura, by Lee Ruttle, page 1. Wendy Yoshimura’s trial on charges of possessing an illegal item may face further delays as a pre-trial hearing on suppressing evidence is scheduled for Feb. 23. Judge Martin Pulich hopes to set a trial date at that time.
• Mori bill supports CYA hiring own, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Assemblyman S. Mori’s bill AB 1733 passed the assembly to allow California Youth Authority graduates to be hired as counselors for youths. Mori argued former wards are well suited to steer others away from crime.
• Utah archives seeking material on Nikkei, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Utah State Historical Society is collecting source materials and documents for its Japanese American archives. Families wishing to donate items were directed to contact the society.
• Marin County JACL installation, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Officers of the Marin County JACL chapter were installed at a December event attended by Gov. Edison Uno. The article lists the chapter officers and recognizes Mo Noguchi for organizing the chapter.
• EO 9066 dinner to host Gordon Hirabayashi, by P.C. Staff, page 3. E.O. 9066 Inc. will honor Dr. Gordon Hirabayashi at a dinner in Los Angeles on Feb. 21, with Edison Uno as keynote speaker. Hirabayashi was among those who challenged WWII curfew regulations and was convicted before the Supreme Court sustained the conviction.
• West Los Angeles 1976 Travel Program, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The West Los Angeles JACL announced its 1976 flight program to Japan, with round-trip fares set at $437 plus departure tax. Flight dates and directors are listed along with ticketing and payment information.

JACL

• New leaflet ‘1000 Club’ published, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL has published a brochure answering frequently asked questions about its 1000 Club membership program. Interested members are directed to contact their chapter 1000 Club chairperson or National Headquarters for copies.
• Japan Flight 1 schedule changed, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The National JACL Travel Committee revised the departure dates of its Flight 1 to Japan from Los Angeles to April 6-26. Flight 2 from San Francisco was reported sold out with a few on the waiting list.
• Nominations for national officers due from districts by March 24, by P.C. Staff, page 1. District councils must submit nominations for National JACL offices 90 days before the National Convention, by March 24, according to nominations committee chairman Dr. Toaru Ishiyama. The article outlines the nomination process, eligibility requirements, and open positions.

National

• Congress passes JACL-supported Rice Act of 1975, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Rice Production Act, supported by JACL and a broad coalition, was sent to the White House after Senate action ended a filibuster. The bill aims to keep rice prices from doubling by allowing free planting.
• Washington state panel backs bill on foreign student privileges, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Washington State Council on Postsecondary Education recommended passage of SB 2508, which would grant resident student privileges to children of E-1 treaty-trader employees. The bill is in a senate committee, and the Pacific Northwest JACL District is following it closely.
• Only Asian on N.Y. rights staff cut, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Robert Tang, the only Asian professional at the New York State Division of Human Rights, was notified his services would end Feb. 29 amid budget cuts. He was among six of 200 staff members slated for dismissal.
• Ushio to resign as JACL director, by P.C. Staff, page 1. National Executive Director David Ushio submitted his resignation effective September 30, 1976, citing a desire to serve a wider segment of society. National President Shig Sugiyama praised his public relations work and fundraising for the national headquarters building.

Commentary

• Negative ethnocentrism, by Edison Uno, page 2. A letter writer responds to Edison Uno’s assessment of Hosokawa’s and Hayakawa’s statements on the Evacuation, arguing that Hayakawa’s stance reflects negative ethnocentrism. The writer contends Nisei citizenship rights were not something that needed to be earned through sacrifice.
• Let Freedom Ring, by Bill Hosokawa, page 2. Hosokawa reflects on the historical hatred toward immigrant Japanese and the importance of remembering the sacrifices of earlier generations. He argues that Japanese Americans should not deny their own experiences to gain acceptance.
• Plain Speaking, by Wayne Horiuchi, page 3. Horiuchi criticizes Senator Long’s opposition to the Rice Act and notes the irony of JACL supporting a bill with an unlikely coalition of backers. He observes that the political maneuvering reflects strange bedfellows in legislative history.

Obituaries

• Dr. Robert Yamauchi, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Dr. Robert Yamauchi, a Spokane general practitioner and 442nd veteran, died on Jan. 28 after a long illness. He is survived by his wife, children, siblings, and extended family.

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