Senate passes redress bill: $1.3 billion for WW2 evacuees

Vol. 106, No. 17, April 29, 1988. 12 pages. View this issue

Redress dominated the news after the Senate approved S. 1009 by a vote of 69 to 27. Page one reported that JACL-LEC leaders, including Grant Ujifusa and Grayce Uyehara, expected President Reagan to sign the bill, while urging supporters to write to the White House within his 10-day window. The bill provides $20,000 payments to about 60,000 living survivors of the World War II incarceration (often called internment). Bill Hosokawa traced the long road to the vote in his column, and Marshall Sumida and Joe Oyama examined the Hirabayashi case.

The 12 pages also carry Roger Obata’s review of Japanese Canadian redress, Naomi Hirahara’s report on Asian Pacific American support for Jesse Jackson, and plans for the August JACL national convention in Seattle. Harry Kajihara and Hank Sakai wrote on JACL fund-raising and internal tensions, and Gregory Uba’s open letter was written before the Pilgrimage to Manzanar.

What’s in this issue

Incarceration & Redress

• Senate Votes $1.3 Billion for WW2 Evacuees, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The JACL-LEC anticipates that President Reagan will sign H.R. 442 and S. 1009 into law despite earlier reports he might veto the redress legislation. Grant Ujifusa expressed cautious optimism that the administration is open to discussing the bill.’
• Japanese Americans Happy with Senate Passage, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Community leaders and legislators including Grayce Uyehara, Sen. Daniel Inouye, Rep. Norman Mineta, and Rep. Robert Matsui expressed elation over the Senate’s passage of S. 1009 by a 69-27 vote. Grant Ujifusa credited community efforts and individuals like Mike Masaoka and Harry Kubo for helping secure the bipartisan victory.
• Prompt Action Urged by JACL-LEC, by P.C. Staff, page 1. With redress legislation passed by both House and Senate, JACL-LEC urges supporters to pressure President Reagan to sign the bill within his 10-day decision window. The campaign includes mailgrams and letters to the White House, with specific instructions to follow in Action Alert No. 9.
• S.1009 Passes on Strong Bipartisan Stand of 69 Yeas, 27 Nays, 4 N.V.s, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The U.S. Senate approved legislation on April 20 to redress the injustice inflicted on Japanese Americans during WWII, matching the House’s earlier 243-141 vote. The bill provides $20,000 payments to approximately 60,000 living evacuees and reparations to Aleut evacuees, totaling approximately $1.3 billion, and now awaits presidential signature.
• Japanese Canadian Redress—a Review, by Roger Obata, page 3. In a speech given at the St. Lawrence Forum, Roger Obata reviews the history of Japanese Canadian redress efforts dating back to 1984, detailing years of frustrating negotiations with multiple government ministers. He describes being offered increasingly inadequate settlements while the government refused to negotiate seriously or meet with Prime Minister Mulroney.
• First Hirabayashi Case Upholds the Curfew, by Marshall Sumida and Joe Oyama, page 4. This article examines the connection between General DeWitt’s ‘Final Report’ and a racist 1941 Dies Committee report that was not disclosed to the Justice Department during Gordon Hirabayashi’s original case. It details the Supreme Court’s wartime ruling upholding Hirabayashi’s curfew conviction and the eventual 1987 Court of Appeals decision vacating it.
• Hirabayashi Case Continued: Uphold the Tenets of the Constitution, by Marshall Sumida and Joe Oyama, page 5. This continuation piece includes reflections from various figures including Professor Ron Takaki, veteran Arthur Morimitsu, Shigeya Kihara, Rep. Robert Matsui, and Gordon Hirabayashi himself on the constitutional implications of the wartime incarceration. The article emphasizes the importance of exposing racism to prevent future injustices.
• Japanese Canadian Redress Review (continued), by Roger Obata, page 9. This continuation details the Price Waterhouse study showing economic losses of at least $443 million, and the Canadian government’s inadequate offers of $6 million and later $12 million. Obata describes the NAJC’s new strategy of appealing directly to the Canadian public through a National Coalition for Japanese Canadian Redress.

National

• NAAPAE Confab Examines Growing Asian American Presence in Schools, by Alan Tu, page 2. The tenth annual NAAPAE Conference in Denver focused on challenges educators face serving diverse Asian communities, featuring keynote speaker Warren Furutani who called for more Asian/Pacific Americans in policy-making positions. Workshops covered topics including refugee trauma, ESL teaching techniques, and psychological profiles of Asian American college students.
• APAs Express Their Support for Jesse Jackson, by Naomi Hirahara, page 3. Asian Pacific Americans including Evelyn Yoshimura and attorney Mike Murase are actively supporting Jesse Jackson’s presidential campaign, citing his support for redress and civil rights issues. Many APAs hold staff positions in the campaign and are organizing voter registration drives in various congressional districts.
• APAs Express Their Support for Jesse Jackson (continued), by Naomi Hirahara, page 8. The article continues detailing Asian Pacific American support for Jesse Jackson, including Jerry Yu’s involvement with education issues and Sumi Haru’s endorsement based on Jackson’s longtime engagement with Asian Pacific American community affairs. Supporters argue Jackson has demonstrated pragmatic leadership on issues like drug trafficking policy.

Community

• Asian Pacific Women Awarded APWN Offering 4 Scholarships, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Asian/Pacific Women’s Network of Los Angeles announced its 1988 Scholarship Program offering four $1,000 scholarships to women of Asian or Pacific Island ancestry. Applicants must reside in Southern California counties and the deadline for submission is May 31.
• Togasaki Family Fund Assists 2 Nisei Physicians, by P.C. Staff, page 10. Friends of Dr. Kazue and Dr. Teru Togasaki established a fund to financially assist the two prominent Nisei physicians, both suffering from Alzheimer’s disease in a nursing home. Contributions have been received from Northern Californians following a public appeal by community leaders including Mollie Fujioka and Yori Wada.

Commentary

• A Pause That ‘Recharges’, by P.C. Staff, page 4. This editorial celebrates the Senate passage of redress bill S. 1009 by a bipartisan 69-27 vote, calling it a historic achievement accomplished by dedicated individuals and organizations rather than a powerful lobby. The piece thanks veterans, community members, Sansei, civil rights groups, media, and legislators for their contributions to the redress movement.
• Seeking Respect for All, by Taro Kawakami, page 4. A letter to the editor argues that the mistake of Executive Order 9066 will be fully corrected and the Supreme Court will reverse its wartime rulings. The writer calls for respect for all people regardless of race and praises the 22nd Amendment limiting presidential terms.
• A Burden of Shame, by Gregory Uba, page 4. In an open letter written before the Pilgrimage to Manzanar, the author reflects on the civil rights violations faced by Japanese Americans during WWII and draws parallels to ongoing discrimination against minorities today. He expresses shame over the silence of Asian American voices in broader civil rights struggles and announces his support for Jesse Jackson’s presidential campaign.
• An Arrogance of Power, by Hank Sakai, page 4. The author criticizes JACL President Harry Kajihara for failing to heal an internal split between LEC leaders and JACL redress leaders, describing attempts to punish staff and reduce employee benefits. He compares current tensions to 1972 power struggles within JACL and urges healing within the organization.
• Dun-Huang: A Japanese-Chinese Film Epic, by William Marutani, page 5. This column previews ‘Dun-Huang,’ a major Japanese-Chinese co-produced epic film three years in the making, involving 100,000 extras and costing $346 million. The piece explores the historical connections between ancient Japan, China, and Korea along the Silk Road, and summarizes the film’s plot based on Yasushi Inoue’s 1959 novel.
• Senate Vote Reflects Years of Effort, by Bill Hosokawa, page 5. Bill Hosokawa reflects on the decades-long redress movement, from early 1970s efforts by Ed Yamamoto to the strategic decisions made under Clifford Uyeda’s leadership that set a dollar figure for compensation. He credits the Commission on Wartime Relocation’s findings and the JACL-LEC’s persistent lobbying for the successful Senate passage of the redress bill.

JACL

• In Pursuit of Revenue, by Harry Kajihara, page 4. JACL National President discusses a fund-raising motion approved at the February National Board meeting, authorizing a dinner event tied to corporate membership development and a membership upgrade sweepstakes program. The piece sets fundraising goals, hoping to exceed $35,000 in 1988 compared to $22,000 raised in 1986.
• ‘Come Home to Seattle’ — It Promises to be Different!, by Robert Shimabukuro, page 6. The 1988 JACL National Convention in Seattle will feature a radically restructured format, housing delegates in University of Washington dormitories rather than hotels to make the event more affordable and accessible. Convention chair Tomio Moriguchi explains the changes aim to draw younger and more diverse participants through shortened business sessions and added activities like golf tournaments and leadership conferences.
• Many PSWDC Delegates Opting to Stay at U.W. Campus for Aug. 7-10 Convention, by Harry Honda, page 6. Seattle JACL president Roger Shimizu spoke at the PSWDC quarterly session about convention details, including dorm housing costs and package deals. A majority of PSW delegates indicated they would opt to stay on campus at $89 per person double occupancy including breakfast.

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