Sacramento and the 24th JACL National Convention, 1976

Vol. 82, No. 24, June 18, 1976. 6 pages. View this issue

The 24th Biennial National JACL Convention, set for June 22-26 at Sacramento Inn, filled this six-page issue. Tom Fujimoto described how the Sacramento chapter was preparing to host. A digest listed 17 chapter resolutions, among them items on the Iva Toguri case and dues, and a search committee outlined how it would recruit a successor to national director David Ushio. Other stories named Senator Mike Mansfield for the Masaoka Distinguished Public Service Award, listed nominees for the National Board, and reported San Francisco’s bid for the 1980 convention.

On the opinion pages, Edison Uno and Lee Ruttle each took up the JACL’s money troubles and the Endowment Fund. Bill Hosokawa wrote about his five grandchildren, and Masamune Kojima wrote about Judge Bob Takasugi. Letters discussed the Tule Lake plaque. Also inside are a Girl Scouts Japanese Heritage merit badge, relief efforts for Idaho flood victims, and a report from a public relations intern at JACL Headquarters.

What’s in this issue

Community

• Sacramento Prepares to Host JACL 24th Biennial National Convention, by Tom Fujimoto, page 1. The Sacramento JACL chapter is hosting the 24th Biennial National JACL Convention June 22-26 at Sacramento Inn. The convention will feature resolutions, policy statements, banquets, and a family-oriented schedule of tours and events.
• Girl Scouts List Japanese Heritage Merit Badge, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Girl Scouts of America approved a Japanese Heritage merit badge proposed by Los Angeles leader Angela Nakamura. The requirements cover Japanese contributions to the West Coast, arts, literature, crafts, games, and cooking.
• Foundation Responsiveness Project Director Answers Membership Queries, by Amy Doi, page 1. Foundation Responsiveness project director Amy Doi explains that a planned New York foundation visit was postponed to late summer after feedback at Sequoia Chapter workshops. The project aims to secure major national foundation grants that could set precedents for other foundations.
• JACL Emergency Relief Funds Urged for Idaho Flood Victims, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Intermountain District Governor Gerrold Mukai called for a JACL emergency relief fund after the Teton Dam break damaged Nikkei farms and homes in southeastern Idaho. About 40 Nikkei families were affected, and a call for assistance will be made at the National Convention.
• JACL-Hayashi Law Scholarship Fund Attains Goal, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The JACL-Thomas T. Hayashi Law Scholarship Fund exceeded its $20,000 goal, raising $22,500 from 143 contributors by its May 31 deadline. The first $500 scholarship will be presented September 18 in Philadelphia.
• Missing Banker Found After Call He Was Abducted, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Katsumi Shiba, newly appointed manager of the West Los Angeles branch of Sumitomo Bank, was reported missing after calling his wife to say he had been abducted. He was later found alive in City Creek Canyon after his car crashed, having survived on rice crackers and creek water.
• Wayne Miyamoto: PR Intern at JACL Headquarters, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Wayne Miyamoto, a CSU-Chico journalism student, reflects on his three-month public relations internship at JACL Headquarters in San Francisco. He describes the practical experience, his assignments, and impressions of the staff and volunteers.

JACL

• Convention Digest of 17 Resolutions Submitted by Chapters, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Chapters submitted 17 resolutions for the National Convention, including items on the Iva Toguri case, dues levels, reparations funding, and JACL budget control. Several resolutions address Endowment Fund use and the Calif. Gov. appointments.
• Search Committee Outlines Procedures for Recruiting New National JACL Director, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A search committee has been appointed to fill the national director vacancy created by David Ushio’s resignation, with applications due July 30, 1976. The job description details employment qualifications and duties for the position.
• PSW Corrects JACL Amendment Proposal on Office of Secretary, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Pacific Southwest District Council submitted a corrected proposal to create a national JACL secretary office, dropping language that would require the secretary to perform all national director duties. Masamune Kojima explained the amendment’s intent regarding convention minutes.
• Successor to Ushio Being Recruited, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Procedures for recruiting and hiring a new National JACL director and a revised job description were outlined for the search committee. Applications are being accepted with a closing date of July 30, 1976.
• Sen. Mansfield Named for Masaoka DPS Award, by Kaz Horita, page 1. Senate Majority Leader Michael J. Mansfield was selected to receive the fourth Mike M. Masaoka Distinguished Public Service Award at the National JACL Convention. Runners-up included Carl Albert, Robert Ingersoll, Hugh Scott, and Roy Wilkins.
• San Francisco to Bid for 1980 Convention, by P.C. Staff, page 1. San Francisco announced its intention to host the 1980 national JACL convention marking the organization’s golden jubilee, since JACL was founded there in 1929. The bid was discussed at a special NC-WNDC meeting and the Tri-Valley JACL was accepted as a member chapter.
• Nominees for National Board Named, by P.C. Staff, page 1. For the first time, a past national president, Henry Tanaka, will be nominated for an elective post on the National Board. Midwest District nominees also include Ros Yamasaki for membership services, and other districts announced nominations for Grayce Uyehara, Eddie Moriguchi, Jim Tsujimura, Paul Ellis, and Masamune Kojima.

Commentary

• Five Grandchildren, by Bill Hosokawa, page 2. Bill Hosokawa describes the arrival of two grandsons who disrupted the household routine and reflects on the distinct personalities of his five grandchildren. He notes the difficulty of keeping families close when they live far apart.
• Tule Lake Plaque, by Letters to the Editor, page 2. A State Historical Resources Commission member corrects a PC report on the Tule Lake plaque, stating the Landmarks Committee approved the wording only after pressure and threats. Lillian Baker’s letter is also published, disputing the characterization of Tule Lake and the Manzanar plaque wording.
• Hon. Bob Takasugi, by Masamune Kojima, page 2. Masamune Kojima praises Judge Bob Takasugi, recently appointed to the federal bench, recalling his work as a public defender-style attorney and his dismissal of fifty delayed cases as municipal judge. Kojima describes Takasugi’s commitment to using law to help ordinary citizens.
• Camp Mementos, by Letters to the Editor, page 2. A reader offers a collection of 89 covers and 34 postcards from relocation camps and asks about preserving them. The PC responds it welcomes selections of covers for display.
• Minority of One: Endowment Fund, by Edison Uno, page 2. Edison Uno argues JACL should consider tapping its Endowment Fund to address the organization’s fiscal crisis, noting the fund was intended as an emergency fallback. He acknowledges the proposal is controversial but questions whether the sacred cow should remain untouched.
• East Wind: Time to Bite the Bullet, by Lee Ruttle, page 4. Lee Ruttle urges delegates to the national convention to confront the JACL’s large deficit by seeking accountability through an objective inquiry. He argues the organization must make difficult cuts rather than relying on Endowment Fund withdrawals.
• A Proud Legacy, by Sachi Seko, page 6. Sachi Seko reflects on the JACL convention theme ‘A Proud Legacy’ and the shifting emphasis in Japanese American identity. She honors Nisei figures such as Larry Tajiri and the unsung civil rights workers who crossed color lines.

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