Redress lobbying and Sen. Inouye’s role in the Iran-contra hearings

Vol. 105, No. 4, August 7, 1987. 12 pages. View this issue

Redress and Sen. Daniel Inouye shared the front page. More than 120 delegates lobbied Congress for H.R. 442 in a NCRR-organized effort, and S.1009 passed a Senate committee unanimously. Grayce Uyehara warned that H.R. 442 still needed 51 more votes, while Ron Wakabayashi and Fae Minabe wrote about the racial attacks on Inouye during the hearings. Paul Simon recalled his father’s stand against the World War II incarceration (often called internment).

Elsewhere, the Little Tokyo Historic District was entered on the National Register, and a Manzanar reunion dinner planned to honor Walter and Millie Woodward. Bill Hosokawa profiled Sylvia Komatsu, and Harry K. Honda covered a JACL district convention in Denver and the Pan American Nikkei Association meeting. Sports reports from the Nisei Relays and Jr. Olympics fill the later pages.

What’s in this issue

National

• Inouye Lauded by Many for Role in Hearings, page 1. Sen. Daniel Inouye, as chairman of the Senate committee investigating the Iran-contra matter, has received an outpouring of supportive calls and letters despite racially-motivated backlash. Colleagues and press members, including Sen. Warren Rudman and journalist Daniel Schorr, praised his integrity, and he has been mentioned as a possible vice presidential candidate or future Senate Majority Leader.
• Killer Agrees to Out-of-Court Settlement of Up to $1.5 Million, page 1. Ronald Ebens, convicted of manslaughter in the 1982 beating death of Vincent Chin, agreed to pay up to $1.5 million to Chin’s estate in an out-of-court settlement. The settlement came after Ebens was acquitted in a civil rights retrial, and his attorney noted this was the first time a court acknowledged the value of an Asian American’s life.
• License Plate Offensive to Nikkei Drivers, page 2. Charlotte Kiyan Thompson of Nashville wrote to Tennessee’s Motor Vehicles Division after learning a motorist had been issued a personalized license plate reading “JAP CAN,” calling the term deeply offensive. JACL National Director Ron Wakabayashi also sent a letter protesting the plate, noting a similar incident occurred in 1981, but no response had been received as of July 9.
• Former Supreme Court Justice to Speak at Opening of Exhibit, page 3. Former Supreme Court Justice Arthur J. Goldberg will give the keynote address before the opening of a Smithsonian Institution exhibit titled “A More Perfect Union—Japanese Americans and the U.S. Constitution.” The ceremony on the steps of the U.S. Capitol will feature several congressmen and is expected to draw a crowd of 5,000 Japanese Americans.
• Inouye Attacks Typical of Asian American Legacy, by Ron Wakabayashi and Fae Minabe, page 5. The authors trace the history of anti-Asian sentiment in America, connecting recent racial slurs directed at Sen. Inouye during Iran-contra hearings to centuries of discriminatory laws and incidents like the murder of Vincent Chin. They note that despite Inouye’s distinguished WW2 military service and leadership, he faced racially-motivated criticism, and praise Sen. Warren Rudman’s rare public condemnation of the attacks.
• PANA Asks U.S. Delegates to Host 1989 Convention, by Harry K. Honda, page 7. At the Pan American Nikkei Association convention in Buenos Aires, attended by 1,500 at the closing dinner, U.S. delegates were asked to host the 1989 convention. Noritoshi Kanai accepted responsibility for planning, with Mexico as a backup if arrangements don’t materialize by January 1988.
• Terasaki Retains His Tenure After Misusing Funds, page 9. UCLA Professor Paul I. Terasaki, a Nisei researcher known for tissue-typing breakthroughs, retained his tenure after an investigation into his inappropriate use of UCLA facilities and employees for his private company, One Lambda, Inc. The university received a $500,000 payment from the company as part of a negotiated agreement rather than pursuing criminal charges.

Incarceration & Redress

• Over 120 Participate in NCRR Delegation to Lobby Capitol, by Edna Ikeda, page 1. More than 120 Japanese American delegates from across the country participated in a NCRR-organized lobbying effort in Washington from July 25-29, the largest Asian American lobbying contingent ever. Fifteen lobbying teams met with over ninety congressmen to push for passage of H.R. 442 redress legislation.
• S.1009 Passes Senate Committee, page 1. Redress bill S.1009, implementing recommendations of the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians, passed unanimously in the Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs with an amendment from Sen. Bill Roth spreading out payments over five years. Senators including Matsunaga, Pryor, Stevens and Glenn spoke in support of the bill during the session.
• H.R. 442 Co-Sponsors Reach 167, page 1. Eight new co-sponsors joined H.R. 442 in late July and early August, bringing the total count to 167. The new co-sponsors include representatives from both parties serving on various committees including Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, and Armed Services.
• Views on Redress as Payoff for Injustices, page 9. A growing number of Japanese American former internees, including former Long Beach mayor Eunice Sato and Judge Mikio Uchiyama, have voiced opposition to the $20,000 compensation provision in redress bills H.R. 442 and S.1009, viewing it as demeaning. Opponents suggest alternative uses of funds such as museums and educational materials rather than individual payments.
• Camp Reunion Will Be Honoring Woodwards Sept. 5, page 12. Walter and Millie Woodward, former editors of the Bainbridge Review who courageously opposed Japanese American internment during WW2, will be honored at the second Manzanar All-Camp Reunion Dinner. Other honorees include Sue Kunitomi Embrey, Shiro Nomura, Dr. Gordon Hisashi Sato, and William Hohri, with the event also celebrating the Constitution’s bicentennial.

Community

• Little Tokyo District Formally Entered on National Register, page 2. About 200 people attended a celebration marking the Little Tokyo Historic District’s placement on the National Register of Historic Places and the formal opening of the Japanese American National Museum. Mayor Tom Bradley, Councilman Mike Woo, and others spoke about the district’s cultural and historical significance to the community.
• Asian Foundation Gets 2-Year Grant, page 3. The Asian Foundation for Community Development received a two-year, $40,000 grant from the Cowell Foundation to support organizational development and direct grants programs for job skills training to low-income Asian immigrants and refugees. The foundation noted demand far exceeds available funding, having only been able to fund four of twelve requests in 1987.
• First So. Calif. Meeting of A/P Gays and Lesbians Held in L.A., by Laurie Mochidome, page 6. The first conference of Asian American gays and lesbians in Southern California, “Breaking the Silence: Beginning the Dialogue,” was held at the Metropolitan Community Church, drawing over eighty participants. Workshops covered topics including family acceptance, interracial relationships, and AIDS, with speakers emphasizing the need for family and community support.
• Nat’l Meeting of NDCAPA Held from Oct. 16-18, page 6. The National Democratic Council of Asian and Pacific Americans will hold its first national convention, “Target ’88: The Margin of Victory,” in Los Angeles in October. The convention aims to develop strategy for increasing Asian Pacific American participation in the 1988 Democratic National Convention and will feature presidential hopefuls.
• Students Win Trip Via NASA Award, page 6. Emilie Nakayama and Lisa Chow, two 16-year-old classmates at John Marshall High School, were selected by NASA and the National Science Teachers Association to represent the U.S. at a student space symposium in Beijing. Their winning projects focused on effects of gravity on growth regeneration and genetic engineering in space.
• Cultural Center to Be Constructed, page 7. A $9 million, two-acre Okinawan Cultural Center is planned for construction in Waipio, Hawaii, with completion scheduled for January 1990 to coincide with the 90th anniversary of Okinawan immigration to Hawaii. The center will include a pavilion, library, museum, conference center, and cultural gardens, with over $500,000 already pledged.
• 150 Attend Dinner Held by Chapter, page 8. About 150 attended the Seabrook JACL’s annual installation and graduates recognition dinner, featuring remarks from Sen. James R. Hurley and National JACL-LEC director Grayce Uyehara. New officers were installed and several chapter scholarship recipients and other graduates were honored.
• Singles to Meet at Convention, page 9. The Third National JACL Singles Convention will be held over Labor Day weekend in San Francisco, expecting hundreds of singles from around the country. The event features workshops on relationship topics, a gala dinner-dance with comedian Tamayo Otsuki, and social mixers.
• Library Publishes Index of Articles from Fifteen Nikkei Newspapers, page 10. The Japanese American Library published a new edition of its Japanese American Vernacular Newspaper Abstract-Index, containing abstracts of English-language articles from fifteen Nikkei newspapers and four Asian American newspapers. Entries are organized by subject, name, and location for researchers.
• Yosh Matsuhara Installed as Post Commander, page 10. Yosh Matsuhara was installed as post commander of Nisei Post 8985 at the Nisei War Memorial Hall in Sacramento. Other officers for the 1987-1988 term were also installed at the ceremony.
• Asian American Kids Subject of Study, page 12. Dr. Valerie Ooka Pang, a University of Washington teaching associate, received a 1987-88 Spencer Fellowship from the National Academy of Education to study Asian American children’s achievement. The year-long study will focus on American-born junior high students in the Seattle-King County area.

JACL

• Mineta Named to Asian Set-Asides Task Force, page 3. Congressman Norman Y. Mineta was named by House Speaker Jim Wright to a Task Force on Minority Set-Asides, which will monitor federal programs reserving contract percentages for minority businesses. The task force will report its findings to the Speaker within 60 days.
• First EDC-MDC-MPDC Tri-District 300 Attend Mile-Hi’s Mini-Confab, by Harry K. Honda, page 8. The first joint Eastern, Midwest, and Mountain Plains District convention was held in Denver, drawing 300 attendees with Rep. Norman Mineta expressing confidence in redress bill passage. Two districts elected new governors, and Chicago was announced as host for the 1989 gathering.
• Tanaka Honored by Association, page 8. Henry T. Tanaka, former National JACL President and founder of Hill House, received special recognition from Ohio Governor Richard F. Celeste for 25 years of service in mental health at the International Association of Psychosocial Rehabilitation Services conference. He also received a certificate of appreciation from the Ohio Department of Mental Health.
• Nakayama Leaves JACL Position, page 8. JACL administrative director David Nakayama left his position after five years of service to join the staff of Assemblywoman Jacqueline Speier. He had managed the JACL national scholarship program and Washington Leadership program, and his departure leaves only two program staff positions filled at headquarters.

Commentary

• Communications To and Fro, page 4. An editorial reflects on the Pacific Citizen’s role as a safety-valve for diverse JACL opinions over the decades, from controversies over Bill Hosokawa’s book title to current letter-writing policies. The piece announces that letter-writers should include phone numbers for editing purposes and explains that editorial responsibility will fall to the general manager until an editor is appointed.
• ‘Silent Majority’ Support, page 4. In response to claims that a “silent majority” of Japanese Americans oppose redress, JACL-LEC director Grayce Uyehara cites a 1978 survey showing 94% of 3,904 respondents favored reparations from the federal government. The survey also found 80% favored individual payments over trust fund disbursement, countering claims that only Sansei support redress.
• Security Through Unity, by George Johnston, page 4. A columnist reflects on JACL’s motto in comparison with other heterogeneous Asian American organizations, noting similar tensions between “activist” and “conservative” factions. The author describes a philosophy of “pragmatic idealism” and laments how personal egos have caused fragmentation in some Asian American coalition groups.
• Texas-born Journalist Producer Hit on T.V., by Bill Hosokawa, page 4. Columnist Bill Hosokawa profiles Sylvia Komatsu, a Texas-born television producer-writer at KERA-Channel 13 in Dallas known for prize-winning documentaries on social issues. The column also discusses how a longtime reader, Herb Ogawa, had been clipping news items for the paper for years before being turned away by a bureaucratic note.
• Lessons in Life, by Paul Simon, page 5. Presidential candidate Paul Simon recounts how his father, a Lutheran minister in Oregon, publicly opposed the internment of Japanese Americans during WW2 despite community backlash. Simon reflects on the courage this took and ties the lesson to the importance of defending constitutional rights as the nation celebrates the Constitution’s bicentennial.
• A View on Redress, by Ramsay S. Hishinuma, page 5. A letter writer from Hawaii shares his family’s experience of his father’s internment at Camp Honouliuli during WW2 due to prior Japanese military service, and recounts the hardship of visitation restrictions. He expresses hope that the redress issue will be resolved favorably for all who suffered.
• A Yamamoto Fan, by Dr. Frank F. Sakamoto, page 5. A letter writer from Chicago expresses appreciation for columnist J.K. Yamamoto, who is leaving to become English editor of the Hokubei Mainichi. The writer notes he will miss Yamamoto’s work and looks forward to future endeavors.
• Late Issues, by Mas Shiozaki, page 5. A reader from Illinois complains about receiving the Pacific Citizen weeks late and missing multiple issues. An editorial note explains that the paper has been double-dating its July and August issues.
• H.R.442 Urgently Needs Grass Roots Supporters, by Grayce Uyehara, page 5. LEC director Grayce Uyehara urges grassroots supporters to contact representatives immediately as H.R. 442 heads to a House floor vote on September 17, with 167 co-sponsors still 51 votes short of the 218 needed for passage. She provides guidance on writing letters and arranging meetings with representatives during the August recess.

Arts & Entertainment

• Miyori Lands New T.V. Role, page 6. Actress Kim Miyori, known for her role on “St. Elsewhere,” now plays journalist Paula Hershon in the CBS series “Hard Copy.” Miyori hopes Asian Americans will support the show for presenting a positive, non-stereotypical role for Asian women on television.
• Education Focus of Journal, page 7. The 1987 Spring/Summer edition of East Wind magazine focuses on educational rights issues, including funding cuts, the English-only movement, and the Simpson-Rodino Immigration Bill. The issue also covers redress and reparations efforts and current Asian American arts and culture.
• Hongo Receives Lamont Award, page 10. Garrett Kaoru Hongo’s “The River of Heaven” was chosen by the Academy of American Poets as the 1987 Lamont Poetry Selection, earning him a $1,000 award and publication by Alfred A. Knopf. Born in Volcano, Hawaii, Hongo has taught at several universities and previously founded a Seattle theatre group.

Obituaries

• Jitsuo Morikawa, Internationally-Known Preacher, Dies, page 8. Jitsuo Morikawa, an internationally-known preacher, ecumenical leader, and Baptist executive, died July 20 of cancer at age 75. While incarcerated during WW2, he served as minister of the First Baptist Church of Chicago and later held leadership positions including director of evangelism for American Baptist Churches.
• Motomu ‘Mote’ Nakasako Dies at 63, page 8. Motomu “Mote” Nakasako, a WW2 veteran of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and recipient of the Bronze Star and Purple Heart, died August 3 following an illness. He served on the Mayor’s committee and the California Association of County Veterans, and is survived by his wife Ruby and children.
• Giichi ‘Smiley’ Yoshioka Dies at 76, page 8. Giichi “Smiley” Yoshioka, an Eden Township JACL pioneer and flower grower who trained at the MIS Language School at Fort Snelling, died July 20. He served as chapter president in 1939-40 and was a longtime 1000 Club Life member and convention delegate.
• Mitchie Mitsuo Miyamoto Dies at 67, page 8. Mitchie Mitsuo Miyamoto of Watsonville, who served in the 442nd Regimental Combat Team during WW2 and designed the regiment’s Statue of Liberty shoulder patch, died June 5 after a lengthy respiratory ailment. He later worked for 30 years in the display and advertising department of Ford’s Department Store.

Sports

• Orange County JACL Continues Nisei Relays Domination, page 10. Orange County JACL dominated the PSWDC Nisei Relays for the 11th consecutive year at CSU Long Beach, with four records broken and one tied. Standout performances included Ron Gee’s men’s B 2-mile record and Jon Sekiguchi’s hurdles record, with about 200 athletes participating as potential candidates for the 1988 International Nikkei Sports Festival in Lima, Peru.
• San Jose Wins No. Cal Jr. Olympics, by Steven Okamoto, page 11. San Jose won the 35th annual No. Calif. JACL Jr. Olympics held in Hayward, with young athletes setting seven new meet records across 28 events. Kurt Akahori of Sacramento won the Athlete of the Meet award after setting three records and helping his relay team finish first.
• Watanabe Winner of Three Medals, page 11. Dr. Robert Watanabe of Los Angeles won three gold medals in the 60-64 age division at the U.S. National Senior Olympics in St. Louis, winning the 100m, 200m, and 400m dashes. An orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine, Watanabe has competed at elite levels throughout his life and was a member of the 1984 Olympics medical team.
• Match Results, page 11. Alan Furuya and Brad Shak repeated their first-place Men’s A doubles victory at the annual San Jose JACL Tennis Tournament held at West Valley College. Results were also reported for Men’s B and C divisions and Women’s B and C divisions.

Military & Veterans

• DLI to Celebrate 46th Anniversary, page 12. The Defense Language Institute at the Presidio of Monterey will celebrate its 46th anniversary, having originated as the Military Intelligence Service School in 1941. Judge John Aiso will honor the first MIS graduating class and instructors, with a historical photo exhibit titled “Yankee Samurai” also being dedicated.

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