Congress passes the commission redress bill, and JACL gathers in San Francisco

Vol. 91, No. 3, August 1, 1980. 12 pages. View this issue

The front page carried the news that the Senate accepted the House version of the commission redress bill, which the House had passed 279-109 on July 21, 1980. The JACL-sponsored measure would create a Presidential Commission to study the World War II relocation and internment of Japanese Americans, and it went to President Carter for signature. Inside, Rep. Norman Mineta, Rep. Robert Matsui and other members of Congress reacted to the vote, and JACL leaders Clifford I. Uyeda, John Y. Tateishi and Ronald K. Ikejiri published a message of appreciation. The page also covered the 50th Anniversary National JACL Convention, moved by a hotel workers strike, and the Japanese Americans of the Biennium honored there.

Also in this issue: the 1980 National JACL scholarship winners, the first Kuwahara Memorial Scholarships for artists and writers, and profiles of Visual Communications and the band Hiroshima. Violet Koyano wrote about her parents at Minidoka, and Bill Marutani’s column made the case for the Pacific Citizen as the link between members and the national organization.

What’s in this issue

National

• Carter Sent Commission Redress Bill, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Senate accepted the House version of the commission redress bill on July 24, 1980, creating a Presidential Commission to study the WWII relocation and internment of Japanese Americans. The bill, sponsored by Rep. George Danielson, authorizes $1.5 million for a seven-member commission that must report findings to Congress within one year.
• House Votes on HR5499, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The House voted 279-109 to suspend the rules and pass HR5499, the commission redress bill, on July 21, 1980. The article lists the full roll call of representatives voting yea, nay, and not voting.
• Mineta, Matsui and Colleagues React to Commission Bill Passage, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Rep. Norman Mineta and Rep. Robert Matsui spoke about the significance of the commission bill, both having personal connections to internment, saying it will help educate Americans about an under-documented chapter of history. Other representatives including Tony Coelho and Julian Dixon also voiced support, calling it a vital step despite not fully righting the wrongs of internment.
• Beverly Hills Judge Frees Iranians, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Presiding Judge Charles D. Boags of Beverly Hills Municipal Court dismissed all charges against 105 Iranians arrested during a 1979 anti-shah demonstration, ruling they had a right to peacefully demonstrate. The judge said the Iranians were victims of a mob of Americans who attacked them, and criticized the district attorney’s handling of the matter.
• Black Sues Market as Favoring Asians, by P.C. Staff, page 9. Black custodian Robert Irving filed a federal lawsuit against Gelson’s Markets, alleging discrimination after being denied transfer to the produce department for 22 years in favor of Asian employees. An EEOC investigation reportedly found a company perception that Asians have a natural ability to work with and merchandise produce.

JACL

• JACL Biennium Medal Winners Named, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Harvey A. Itano, Minoru Masuda and George K. Nakashima were named Japanese Americans of the Biennium by JACL at its national convention in San Francisco. The award format was expanded to recognize individuals in six categories including arts, business, medicine, science, politics and sports.
• Hotel Workers Strike Shifts JACL Convention Site, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A hotel workers strike in San Francisco forced the 50th Anniversary National JACL Convention to relocate from the Jack Tar Hotel to the Plaza Airport Inn in Millbrae. National president Dr. Clifford Uyeda apologized for the inconvenience caused by the first San Francisco hotel strike in 40 years.
• Lt. Gov. King to Address CCDC Meet, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Hawaii’s Lt. Gov. Jean Sadako King will speak at the Central California JACL District Council convention in Fresno in November. King, a Hawaii native, was elected to the state House in 1972, the state Senate in 1974, and Lt. Governor in 1978.
• Message of Appreciation, by Clifford I. Uyeda, John Y. Tateishi, Ronald K. Ikejiri, page 3. JACL leadership expressed gratitude to Senators Inouye, Matsunaga and Hayakawa, and Representatives Mineta and Matsui for their legislative efforts in passing bills creating the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment. The statement notes the bills received Congressional approval on July 24, 1980, and were sent to the President for signature.
• 1980 National JACL Scholars Announced, by P.C. Staff, page 5. National JACL announced numerous scholarship recipients for 1980, including Kent Nakamoto, Yoko Fujita, Robyn Nishimi, and others receiving awards named after various JACL figures and memorial funds. The article profiles each student’s academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and future educational plans.
• NC-WNDC Selects Top Scholars, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Northern California-Western Nevada JACL District Council announced seven scholarship recipients who will receive engraved plaques rather than cash awards. Recipients include John Fujimoto, Mona Nakashima, and five other students from the district.
• Credit Union Declares 7% Quarterly Dividend, by P.C. Staff, page 9. The National JACL Credit Union declared a 7% dividend for the quarter ending June 30, 1980, with current assets at $4,348,275.93. Longtime board veteran Yukus Inouye was called on a mission to Japan for the LDS Church, necessitating a board replacement.

Community

• Seattle Sansei Activist Files for House Seat in Legislature, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Jan Kumasaka, a Seattle political activist and mother of four, announced her candidacy for the Democratic nomination for the 35th district seat in the Washington State legislature. If elected, she would become the first Seattle Nikkei and first Nikkei woman to serve in the state legislature.
• Tatami-Maker Irks Cultural Teacher, by P.C. Staff, page 9. A local Japanese tea ceremony teacher filed a complaint with the County Department of Consumer Affairs against a tatami-making firm. The JACL office assisted in resolving the dispute.
• Chapter Pulse, by P.C. Staff, page 11. This roundup covers news from multiple JACL chapters including Fresno’s Senior Citizens Appreciation Night, Gardena Valley’s scholarship awards dinner, Salinas Valley’s farewell dinner for Mas Kuwano, Washington D.C.’s membership drive, and West Valley’s upcoming Daruma Folk Festival. Each chapter reports on recent events and upcoming activities for members.

Commentary

• Last Game, by Clifford Uyeda, page 4. In his President’s Corner column, outgoing JACL National President Clifford Uyeda reflects on the end of his EXECOM term, describing mixed feelings of relief and loss. He suggests the next EXECOM consider airing personnel problems openly with the membership.
• The Vital Link, by Bill Marutani, page 4. In his East Wind column, Bill Marutani argues that the Pacific Citizen newspaper is the vital link between ordinary JACL members and the national organization, especially for those far from the West Coast. He protests recent reductions in the newspaper’s pages and issues, urging increased investment rather than cuts.
• Camp Minidoka, by Violet Koyano, page 4. A reader writes about her parents’ experiences at the Minidoka internment camp, recounting her mother’s stories of fear during internment and the family’s losses, including stolen silk kimonos. The writer reflects on her parents’ lasting resentment toward Presidents Roosevelt and Truman and calls Minidoka a Christian shame as well as a national one.
• Japan Adoption Association Advertisement Response, by Mrs. H. Seto, page 4. A letter from the California Department of Social Services objects to an advertisement for the Japan Adoption Association, calling it misleading. The writer refers interested parties to official state adoption offices to ensure the rights of biological parents, children, and adoptive parents are protected.
• An Assumption Among Us Asians, by Sachi Seko, page 4. In her Happy Valley column, Sachi Seko recounts meeting celebrated watercolor artist Frederick Wong through her son, describing his life story as a Chinese American artist who overcame family expectations to pursue his craft. The column explores themes of identity, as Wong and the author both reflect on how they describe themselves ethnically.
• Calling from New Mexico, by Jerry Enomoto, page 8. Former JACL leader Jerry Enomoto writes about his new role with the National Institute of Corrections in Santa Fe after leaving his position as California Director of Corrections amid controversy with the Brown administration. He thanks supporters and reflects on his principled decision not to accept a lesser position under new appointee Mr. Way.

Arts & Entertainment

• Kuwahara Memorial Scholarships Awarded for the First Time, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Several $5,000 scholarships from the Kuwahara Estate were awarded for the first time through National JACL to artists and writers including playwright Hiroshi Kashiwagi and poet Barbara Ruth Noda. Kashiwagi’s project involves refining his play about the WRA loyalty questionnaire, while Noda plans to produce an original play and write a novel about a Japanese American family.
• Visual Communications: The New Image-Makers, by Akemi Kikumura, page 6. Visual Communications, founded over 10 years ago by Bob Nakamura, is profiled as a leading Asian Pacific American media organization producing films that counter Hollywood stereotypes. The article discusses their upcoming feature film ‘Hito Hata: Raise the Banner’ starring Mako, as well as their photo archives and national media advocacy efforts.
• Hiroshima: Multicultural Musical Fusion, by Mike Yamamoto, page 7. The article profiles the band Hiroshima, interviewing founding members Dan and June Kuramoto about the band’s origins in the Third World Movement, their musical fusion of Asian and Western influences, and their commercial success with their debut album. The piece covers their concert tour, diverse audience demographics, and the couple’s personal and musical relationship.
• ESL Instructor Wins 2nd Clavell Award, by P.C. Staff, page 9. Douglas Sugano, an English teacher at Inglewood High School, won the second annual American Japanese National Literary Award for his short story ‘Inheritance.’ The $1,000 award was presented during the Miss Sansei California pageant where Cheryl Takahashi was crowned queen.

In-Depth

• Matsuo Basho, by Robert H. Kono, page 12. This Random Musings column traces the literary development of haiku poet Matsuo Basho, from his early training under Kigin to his mature style characterized by concepts of sabi, shiori and hosomi. The piece describes Basho’s spiritual journey through Zen meditation and his famous travels including the journey chronicled in ‘Oku no Hosomichi.’

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