Redress prospects and JACL budget worries, February 1988

Vol. 106, No. 7, February 19, 1988. 8 pages. View this issue

Redress and the JACL’s own finances drove the front page. George Johnston reported that the JACL Legislative Education Committee Board met Feb. 12 in San Francisco amid optimism about redress legislation in the Senate, and Laurie Mochidome covered the National Board’s Feb. 13-14 meeting, where a looming budget deficit led to approved chapter dues increases. Jerry Enomoto wrote about the encouraging signs for redress, and Bill Marutani asked what JACL should do after redress is won.

The commentary pages also carried a run of letters about Mike Masaoka’s autobiography, with a review by Pete Hironaka, as well as letters on the Lungren treasurer nomination from Asian Pacific American bar associations and Curtis R. Namba. Elsewhere are a preview of the Seattle convention, nominations for Japanese American of the Biennium, and Bill Hosokawa’s column on Nisei entrepreneurs.

What’s in this issue

National

• LEC Board: Redress ‘Looks Good’, by George Johnston, page 1. The JACL Legislative Education Committee Board met Feb. 12 in San Francisco amid optimism about redress legislation progress in the Senate. Strategy chair Grant Ujifusa noted the importance of Republican Nikkei support while the board also discussed opposition campaigns and an upcoming Seattle convention recognition event.
• Matsunaga May Be Challenged by Senate Republicans, page 2. Sen. Spark Matsunaga (D-Hawaii) may face a well-funded Republican challenger in his 1988 re-election bid, according to Senate Republican Campaign Committee chair Sen. Rudy Boschwitz. Possible candidates include several Hawaii Republicans, as the GOP looks to contest previously ‘unbeatable’ Democratic seats.

JACL

• Budget Tops List of Concerns at Board Meeting, by Laurie Mochidome, page 1. The JACL National Board met Feb. 13-14 in San Francisco to address a looming budget deficit, but postponed recommendations pending further financial data. The board approved increases to chapter dues, finalized a personnel manual, closed the Min Yasui Memorial Fund drive, and adopted new convention credential and nomination guidelines.
• JA of the Biennium Nominations Open, by Don Ito, page 8. JACL is accepting nominations for its Japanese American of the Biennium award, to be presented at the Seattle convention’s Sayonara Banquet on Aug. 9. Up to three recipients across six fields of endeavor will receive a gold medallion, scroll, and travel accommodations, with nominations due by May 20.
• LEC Board Discusses Fundraising and Canadian Redress, page 8. Additional business from the JACL-LEC Board meeting included discussion of future fundraising efforts, continued contact with Aleut and Pribilof Island groups, and updates on Japanese Canadian redress progress. A committee was formed to investigate honoring individuals instrumental in redress legislation.

Community

• Mitoma to Seek Re-election, page 2. Carson City Councilman Michael I. Mitoma announced he will seek re-election, citing his record of fiscal responsibility and reforms to city government. He pledged to continue redirecting funds toward police protection and public works.
• CJAA Offering Scholarships to JA Students, page 2. The California Japanese Alumni Association is accepting applications for $15,000 in scholarships for Japanese American students at UC campuses, with a March 10 deadline. The program, funded by the 1972 sale of a UC Japanese Students Club dormitory, has distributed $58,000 to 38 students since its inception.
• Nisei Veteran Subject of Essay Contest, page 3. The Golden Gate Nisei Memorial Post and Ladies Auxiliary VFW are sponsoring an essay contest titled ‘What Do You Know About the Nisei Veteran’ for Bay Area students. Winners will receive cash prizes and be honored at a May 7 installation dinner.
• AAPAA Awardees Announced, page 7. The Association of Asian/Pacific American Artists announced winners of its fourth annual Media Awards (‘Jimmie’ awards), to be presented March 21 at the Beverly Hilton. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award, with other honors going to film and television productions and RCA/Columbia Pictures Home Video.

Commentary

• ‘Guest Workers’ Aren’t Welcome, page 3. This op-ed argues that Japan should not follow Europe’s path of admitting unskilled foreign ‘guest workers,’ citing social problems created in Western European countries with large immigrant populations. The author contends Japan’s past strategy of automation and wage increases avoided the ethnic ghettoization seen in Paris and elsewhere.
• Getting Ready for ‘Seattle’, page 4. This editorial previews the 1988 National JACL Convention in Seattle, highlighting the schedule of events and the critical upcoming budget discussions. It explores options like a dues increase or reviving a historical ‘Quota System’ to address JACL’s growing financial deficit.
• Masaoka’s Legacy, by Roy M. Nishikawa, page 4. A letter praising Mike Masaoka’s autobiography ‘They Call Me Moses Masaoka’ and defending his wartime leadership of JACL against critics. The author, a past JACL president, calls Masaoka the organization’s ‘great communicator’ and urges younger generations to read the book.
• Mike Masaoka a 10+, by Frank Takahashi, page 4. A letter comparing Mike Masaoka favorably to civil rights icons like Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr., noting Masaoka achieved success with far less public support. The writer calls Masaoka’s story a modern American miracle.
• Missing the Point, by Bill Hosokawa, page 4. A letter criticizing the Pacific Citizen’s decision to publish Frank Chin’s anti-JACL essay without rebuttal, arguing the paper failed its duty to challenge biased content. Hosokawa contends the editors’ defense missed his original point about fairness and accuracy.
• Freedom for P.C., by E.J. Suyama, page 4. A letter responding to the Hosokawa controversy, arguing for journalistic independence for the Pacific Citizen from JACL oversight. The author suggests criticism of younger generations is often a disguised form of elder ‘wisdom.’
• Bar Associations Oppose Lungren, by Judith Otamura-Kester, Arthur P. Song, John Sugiyama, Curtis R. Namba, Hoyt H. Zia, A. Carl Hufana, Sandra J. Chan, page 4. A joint letter from several Asian Pacific American bar associations opposing Dan Lungren’s confirmation as California State Treasurer, citing his voting record against civil rights, redress, and social programs. The letter urges readers to contact state senators before confirmation hearings.
• Lungren’s Record, by Curtis R. Namba, page 4. A letter rebutting Lungren supporters’ characterization of his record, detailing his votes against bilingual ballots, the Equal Rights Amendment, and fair housing enforcement. The author argues broad-based opposition to Lungren stems from his overall legislative record, not solely his redress stance.
• Encouraging Signs for Redress, by Jerry Enomoto, page 5. JACL-LEC Chair Jerry Enomoto writes optimistically about redress legislation’s prospects while describing a contentious TV appearance with redress opponent Howard Garber, a substitute for Lillian Baker. Enomoto also reiterates opposition to Dan Lungren’s treasurer nomination based on his broader legislative record.
• Life After Redress, by Bill Marutani, page 5. JACL VP Bill Marutani argues that redress alone will not resolve ongoing racial prejudice faced by Japanese Americans, and that JACL must continue focusing on broader civil rights issues. He proposes that JACL should evolve into an Asian American organization to address shared concerns among all Asian American communities.
• Nisei Stories Would’ve Delighted Alger, by Bill Hosokawa, page 5. Hosokawa’s column profiles several successful Nisei entrepreneurs with Horatio Alger-like rags-to-riches stories, including chick-sexing pioneer S. John Nitta, finance executive Kay Sugahara, and produce magnate Fred Wada. He notes their humble beginnings and significant later accomplishments and philanthropy.

In-Depth

• Man Who Made A Difference, by Pete Hironaka, page 5. A book review of ‘They Call Me Moses Masaoka’ by Mike Masaoka with Bill Hosokawa, praising it as a verification of Masaoka’s role as a civil rights leader for Japanese Americans. The review highlights Masaoka’s wartime activism, his effective lobbying, and personal family sacrifices including brothers who served and died in WWII.

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