Vol. 108, No. 22, June 9, 1989. 8 pages. View this issue
Paul Igasaki of Chicago was named the new Washington representative for JACL, and the front page carried the announcement from National Director Bill Yoshino. The issue also covered the JACL National Board meeting in San Francisco and its motions, along with redress: Rep. Norman Y. Mineta’s June 24 San Jose meeting with Bob Bratt, administrator of the Office of Redress Administration, and Bratt’s June 11 presentation of eligibility regulations in Little Tokyo under the Civil Liberties Act of 1988. Inside, Nisei veterans’ possible eligibility and testimony from former U.S. prisoners of war were reported.
Other pages include Philip Tajitsu Nash on the Association for Asian American Studies conference in New York and Laurie Mochidome on a LEAP forum with Robert Matsui and Mike Woo. The editorial page carries a piece on Dr. Don Nakanishi’s tenure, letters, and Bill Hosokawa’s column on ballplayer Jimmy Horio. Community news covers Nisei Week queen candidates and Diana Akiyama’s ordination as an Episcopal priest.
What’s in this issue
JACL
- Paul Igasaki of Chicago Appointed Washington JACL Representative, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL National Director Bill Yoshino announced that Paul Igasaki, a Chicago attorney and interim director of the Chicago Commission on Asian American Affairs, has been selected as the new Washington representative for JACL. Igasaki emphasized the importance of JACL’s presence in Washington on civil rights, immigration, and coalition-building issues, and will begin his duties on July 24.
- JACL National Board Meets in San Francisco, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The JACL National Board met May 27-28 in San Francisco over Memorial Day weekend, addressing issues including the final financial report from the 1984 National Convention in Hawaii and new convention guidelines requiring written financial accounting. The board also reviewed Employment Practices Committee guidelines and heard about a racial incident involving board member Betty Waki at a Houston high school.
- National JACL Board Motions of May 27-28, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A listing of formal motions passed at the JACL National Board meeting held May 27-28 in San Francisco, covering convention guidelines, district allocations, treasurer’s report, contracts, committee appointments, and support for research and film consultation. Votes were recorded for each motion along with dissenting opinions where applicable.
- Board Meeting (continued), by P.C. Staff, page 3. Continued coverage of the JACL National Board meeting details the resolution of the racial harassment incident involving Betty Waki in Houston, where students received only detention despite an appeal for stronger discipline. The article also lists board members in attendance.
National
- ‘Hot’ Asian American Studies Topics Aired, by Philip Tajitsu Nash, page 1. The Sixth National Conference of the Association for Asian American Studies was held June 1-3 at Hunter College in New York, drawing over 200 attendees for panels, workshops, and discussions on topics including M. Butterfly, Asian American literature, and global diaspora perspectives. Awards were presented to Betty Lee Sung, Hisaye Yamamoto, and Yuji Ichioka, and the conference marked the first held east of the Rockies.
- LEAP Examines Asian American Agenda, by Laurie Mochidome, page 1. A June 3 forum presented by Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics in Los Angeles, featuring U.S. Rep. Robert Matsui and L.A. City Councilman Mike Woo, examined the lack of a unified Asian Pacific American political agenda. Panelists urged formation of a permanent organization to represent Asian Pacific interests and highlighted the community’s untapped political potential ahead of the 1990 Census.
- Corporate America Wary of Sending Women, Minority to Overseas Posts, by P.C. Staff, page 2. A Wall Street Journal report revealed that 36% of U.S. companies with international operations had no female expatriates, citing concerns about cultural acceptance abroad including in Japan and Saudi Arabia. Experts and executives including William Marumoto discussed the complex and sometimes contradictory attitudes behind sending women and minorities on overseas assignments.
- LEAP Forum (continued), by Laurie Mochidome, page 3. Continuing coverage of the LEAP forum, panelists Matsui and Woo discussed the need for Asian Pacific Americans to engage politically, noting the community’s high per capita income and growing population remain underrepresented in the California State Legislature. They urged community members to support political campaigns and consider running for office.
Incarceration & Redress
- Mineta Sponsors June 24 San Jose Redress Meeting with ORA’s Bob Bratt, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Rep. Norman Y. Mineta will sponsor a public meeting with Bob Bratt, administrator of the Office of Redress Administration, on June 24 in San Jose to discuss the Civil Liberties Act of 1988. The meeting allows Bay Area residents to voice their views on redress regulations before they are finalized.
- ORA to Present Redress Eligibility Regulations, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Robert Bratt, administrator for the Office of Redress Administration, will present eligibility regulations for redress at Centenary Methodist Church in Little Tokyo on June 11. The presentation is part of a 30-day public comment period before formal adoption by the Department of Justice.
- U.S. Prisoners of War Testify for Redress, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Julie Gunn Bonanno, a U.S. civilian POW held in Manila during WWII, testified before a House appropriations panel in support of redress, having resigned from the National POW Organization over its anti-redress stance. She was joined in her testimony by fellow former POW Warren Sawall.
Community
- Okinawa Kenjinkai 1989 Scholarships to be Presented, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Okinawa Kenjinkai will present 1989 scholarship awards to high school graduates of Okinawan ancestry at its annual picnic July 30 at Elysian Park, also celebrating the 100th anniversary of the first Okinawan immigrant’s arrival. Applicants have a July 7 deadline and need not be club members to apply.
- L.A. AAJA Office Seeks Part-Time Administrator, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Los Angeles chapter of the Asian American Journalists Association is seeking a part-time administrator to run day-to-day operations, coordinate programs, and assist with fundraising and public relations efforts. The position pays $10,000-$15,000 annually depending on qualifications.
- Nisei Week Queen Candidates Announced, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Eight candidates have been announced for the 1989 Nisei Week Japanese Festival Queen contest, sponsored by various Japanese American community organizations across Los Angeles. The queen will be chosen August 5 at the Coronation Ball at the Beverly Hilton.
- First Nikkei Woman Ordained into U.S. Episcopal Priesthood, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Diana Akiyama became the first Japanese American woman in the world ordained as an Episcopal priest, at a ceremony at Stanford Memorial Church last April. Her background includes psychological counseling work with addiction recovery programs, Native American women, and prison populations before she entered seminary.
- San Diego State’s Nihongo Program Cited, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Twelve San Diego State students received scholarships totaling $3,250 for outstanding performance in Japanese language classes, funded by Kyocera International, Tomatsu Awoki/Touche Ross, and Japan Travel. The Japan Foundation has designated SDSU as a key Southern California institution for Japanese language education.
- Chicago’s New Horizons Nikkei Singles’ Group Inducts Officers, by P.C. Staff, page 3. New Horizons, the Nikkei Singles of Greater Chicago, installed new officers at a banquet on May 7, with Merle Kaneko elected as 1989-90 president. The group, founded under JACL auspices, has grown to 117 members in under four years and has held numerous social events including a sushi party and a Las Vegas excursion.
Military & Veterans
- Nisei Veterans May Qualify for Redress, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Nisei who served in the military before Pearl Harbor may qualify for redress payments, according to Robert Bratt of the Office of Redress Administration. National JACL President Cressey Nakagawa credited Nisei veterans of WWII, Korea, and Vietnam for their role in passage of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988.
Sports
- Seattle-PNW JACL Golf Tourney Winners Listed, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Bob Sato won the Seattle-PNW 1000 Club golf tournament sponsored by Osborn & Ulland at West Seattle Golf Club, while Kiyo Sakahara won the Ladies 1000 Club flight. Full results and winners by flight are listed from the April 30 tournament.
Commentary
- No Shikataganai, by P.C. Staff, page 4. This editorial discusses Dr. Don Nakanishi’s fight against UCLA’s denial of his tenure, noting he refused to accept the situation fatalistically as suggested by the concept of shikataganai. Nakanishi was ultimately granted tenure, which the editorial calls a triumph for ethnic and academic diversity.
- Sakaguchi’s Right Move, by Paul M. Shinkawa, page 4. A letter to the editor defends Bob Sakaguchi’s resignation as JACL Vice-President for Membership, praising his honesty and contrasting him favorably with past officers who served in name only. The writer details the extensive volunteer work Sakaguchi performed before resigning once demands exceeded his capacity.
- Anti-Asian Attitude, page 4. A letter to the editor describes an incident of anti-Asian discrimination experienced by a Texas-born, Los Angeles-raised Sansei at an arts and crafts shop. The writer argues JACL has an obligation to combat ongoing racial prejudice against Japanese Americans despite assimilation pressures.
- Remembering Ballplayer Jimmy Horio, by Bill Hosokawa, page 4. Columnist Bill Hosokawa recounts his memories of Jimmy Horio, a Japanese American baseball player for the Sacramento Senators in the 1930s, after being contacted by Japanese researcher Yoichi Nagata writing a book about him. Hosokawa recalls organizing
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