Vol. 86, No. 6, February 17, 1978. 12 pages. View this issue
Politics ran through the front page of this 12-page issue. Assistant Secretary of State Patsy Mink told San Fernando Valley JACL members that every individual counts in national politics, as reported by Pat Tashima. Local races followed, including Hike Yego’s bid to stay on as constable in Loomis and the challenge to Judge Taketsugu Takei in Santa Clara County. Dr. Clifford I. Uyeda was named as the first nominee for National JACL president.
The national convention, set for July 17-22 in Salt Lake City, drew notices and an ad call. The California Historical Society’s traveling exhibit on Executive Order 9066 was donated to the National JACL, and reparation questionnaire responses appeared on page 5. Bill Hosokawa wrote about Nazis marching in Skokie, and Joe Oyama reviewed the play Mondai Wa Akira.
What’s in this issue
National
- Mink: Everybody ‘counts’ in politics, by Pat Tashima, page 1. Assistant Secretary of State Patsy Mink urged San Fernando Valley JACL members to seize opportunities to make their voices heard in national politics. She emphasized that individual involvement is essential to the political process.
- Judge Tak Takei faces election, page 1. Attorney David Lull announced his candidacy for the Santa Clara County superior court seat held by Judge Taketsugu Takei. Lull argues Takei has not met the level of judicial competency the community deserves.
- Changes to citizenship law proposed, page 1. Beverly Nakamura, an American living in Tokyo, supports Senator Kennedy’s proposed revisions to the Immigration and Nationality Act regarding citizenship transmission to overseas-born children. The proposal would reduce the physical presence requirement for U.S. citizen parents.
Community
- Hike Yego seeks another term as constable in Loomis, page 1. Constable Hike M. Yego announced he will seek re-election in the June primaries for the Loomis Judicial District. He cites his experience and understanding of the district’s diverse population as qualifications.
- Convention booklet ad deadline near, page 1. Tom Sutow, ad sales chairman, urged advertising support for the national convention booklet ahead of the March 15 deadline. He hopes to reach over 80,000 readers, a first in JACL history.
- Iseri seeks full term in city council, page 1. Businessman George Iseri, appointed to the Ontario, Oregon City Council last August, plans to run for a full term in the May election. He discusses the city’s domestic water problem and growth in the Treasure Valley.
- Intermountain Dist. to meet, page 2. The first Intermountain District Council quarterly session will be held Feb. 25 at Little America Motel in Salt Lake City. Matters for the national convention are expected to be drafted at the meeting.
- Salt Lake’s Great in 78! 25th Biennial National JACL Convention, page 2. The 25th Biennial National JACL Convention will be held July 17-22, 1978 at the Little America Hotel in Salt Lake City. Advance information and registration details were announced.
- Marutani attracts in Mpls., by Bill Doi, page 7. Judge William Marutani of Philadelphia spoke at the Twin Cities JACL installation dinner about his path to the judiciary as an Asian American. He encouraged Asian Americans to pursue public service despite doubts.
JACL
- First nominee for JACL pres. named, page 1. Dr. Clifford I. Uyeda, chairman of the National JACL Reparation Committee, signed nomination papers to run for National JACL president in July. He has served on the San Francisco JACL board and was cited as JACLer of the Biennium in 1976.
- Annual credit union meeting set Feb. 25, page 2. The annual National JACL Credit Union dinner-dance will be held Feb. 25 at Little America Motel in Salt Lake City. Board elections are scheduled with incumbents Ichiro Doi, Nobuo Iwamoto and Min Matsumori up for election.
- State of affairs of JACL, by Jim Murakami, page 4. JACL President Jim Murakami reports on organizational progress including staff restructuring, membership totals of 31,484, and reparation committee work. He also reviews youth programs and the district funding concept.
Incarceration & Redress
- Inagaki Prize deadline set for chapter of biennium, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The deadline for the George J. Inagaki Chapter Citizenship Award is June 1, 1978, with a $500 prize for the winning chapter. Applications should describe up to five programs from 1976-77.
- ‘EO 9066’ photo display donated to Nat’l JACL, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The California Historical Society presented its traveling exhibit Executive Order 9066 to the National JACL. The exhibit documents the wartime evacuation and incarceration of Japanese Americans.
- Reparation questionnaire responses, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Excerpts from reparation questionnaire returns present community views on redress, including calls for cash payments and concerns about the evacuation’s lasting economic and emotional effects. Respondents describe losses of property, health, and livelihood.
- Spokane JACL rebuts WSU’s responses, page 9. The JACL responds to Washington State University administrators regarding the promised Asian American scholar position and funding for Asian American student organizations. The JACL argues the university failed to honor prior commitments.
Commentary
- Beware: Check Your Label, by Harry K. Honda, page 4. Editor Harry Honda explains the PC’s policy of dropping labels of expired subscribers, citing rising per-copy production costs. He describes how the new address lister automatically skips expired subscriptions.
- U.S.-Japan Trade, by Nobuyuki Nakajima, page 4. A reader argues that the U.S. trade imbalance with Japan stems from American economic mismanagement rather than Japanese practices. He contends Japan is being made a scapegoat for problems such as Youngstown Steel and Ford rust.
- Convention idea, by Masaru Odoi, page 4. A reader proposes a Salute to America banquet at the 1978 JACL Convention honoring outstanding Japanese Americans. He suggests chapters submit names of noteworthy members for recognition.
- Swastikas in Skokie, by Bill Hosokawa, page 5. Bill Hosokawa examines the Illinois Supreme Court decision allowing Nazis to march in Skokie and asks how Japanese Americans would respond to a hypothetical pro-Japanese militarist rally. He argues for defending free speech even for repugnant groups.
- Our Pacific Southwest District Council enthusiasm for convention up, by Pat Tashima, page 6. Judge Raymond Uno addressed the Pacific Southwest District Council, which expressed enthusiasm for the national convention. The district also supported a proposal to relocate the JACL youth office to Los Angeles.
- Ringside Seat, by George Yoshinaga, page 12. George Yoshinaga reflects on his sister and brother-in-law’s golden wedding anniversary celebration and the passage of time. He also comments on his typewriter and family gatherings.
Military & Veterans
- Mile-Hi Nisei pinfest hosts 850 senior citizens bowlers, by Shig Sakamoto, page 8. The Denver Nisei Bowling Association hosts the fourth annual Japanese American National Bowling Association tournament March 6-11 at Celebrity Lanes. Nearly 850 participants are expected, including a contingent from Japan.
Arts & Entertainment
- Mondai Wa Akira, by Joe Oyama, page 10. A review of Hiroshi Kashiwagi’s bilingual comedy about an Issei couple’s bachelor Nisei son in post-war Berkeley, performed by the Center Players. The reviewer praises the play’s innocence and the performances.
- Asian angles color ‘Scoop’, page 10. Three Asian American writers, Sen. S.I. Hayakawa, Lee Ruttle and Charles Leong, contributed to the Press Club of San Francisco’s annual magazine Scoop. Their articles cover Senate life, Chinese American journalism history, and an Asian American trial.
- Dancer, musician home in Long Beach, page 10. Ballerina Yoko Ichino and music director Akira Endo of American Ballet Theater performed in Long Beach, where both received early training. Ichino won a bronze medal at the Moscow International Ballet Competition.
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