Vol. 114, No. 13, April 3, 1992. 8 pages. View this issue
Redress led the news in this eight-page issue. On March 26, spokespersons for the Japanese American community testified in support of H.R. 4551, which would amend the Civil Liberties Act of 1988 and add $320 million to fund all eligible redress recipients. Rep. Robert Matsui also spoke for the bill and described H.R. 4553, which would keep redress payments from counting against federal benefits. Another story reported that a federal appeals court rejected a challenge by Arthur D. Jacobs, a German American internee, and JACL National Director Dennis Hayashi welcomed the ruling.
Other pages cover the Japanese American National Museum’s move into its new site in Little Tokyo, and the House vote against an amendment that civil rights groups said threatened affirmative action. Bill Hosokawa wrote about Dr. Yoshiye Togasaki’s 88th birthday, and Gwen Muranaka’s Short Takes looked at anti-Japanese sentiment. A reader, Ernest Seko, listed 57 Nisei GIs who were sent to Europe near the Battle of the Bulge instead of joining the 442nd.
What’s in this issue
National
- Support Shown for Civil Liberties Act Amendments, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Japanese American community spokespersons testified March 26 in support of H.R. 4551, which would amend the Civil Liberties Act of 1988 to provide increased funding for eligible redress recipients. The bill, introduced by Reps. Gephardt and Gingrich, would increase authorization by $320 million and restore funding for the education fund eliminated in the Bush budget proposal.
- Matsui Supports Amendment, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Rep. Robert Matsui testified before the House Judiciary Subcommittee in support of H.R. 4551, which would increase authorization to fund all eligible redress recipients. He also discussed H.R. 4553, a bill he introduced to exclude redress payments as a factor in determining eligibility for federal benefits.
- This Act Could Hurt—Not Help—Minorities, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The House voted down an amendment proposed by Rep. Dana Rohrabacher to the Higher Education Reauthorization Act that civil rights organizations, including JACL and OCA, said was a veiled attempt to undermine affirmative action programs. Reps. Norman Mineta and Robert Matsui spoke against the amendment, saying it falsely pitted Asian Americans against other minority groups seeking equal opportunity.
- German American Loses Redress Case, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A federal appeals court unanimously rejected a challenge to redress brought by Arthur D. Jacobs, a German American internee, upholding the Civil Liberties Act of 1988. JACL National Director Dennis Hayashi hailed the decision, noting that JACL and other groups had submitted a friend-of-the-court brief opposing the lawsuit; Jacobs said he intends to appeal.
- Hate Crimes, by P.C. Staff, page 1. In Torrance, Calif., a Thai man mistaken for Japanese was beaten in his apartment laundry room, suffering bruises and a laceration. In Los Angeles, racial slurs against Asian Americans were scrawled on a USC dormitory wall targeting two Asian American residents.
- Testimony (Continued), by P.C. Staff, page 5. Continued coverage of testimony on H.R. 4551 details the education fund debate and statements from Alan Nishio of the National Coalition for Redress/Reparations, who said NCRR is coordinating a grassroots letter-writing campaign to support the bill. The article lists House Judiciary Committee members to contact in support of the legislation.
Community
- Museum Moves Into New Facility, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Japanese American National Museum has moved into its new site in Little Tokyo, the former Nishi Hongwanji Temple, ahead of its dedication scheduled for April 30, 1992. The building historically served as a place of worship, community center, and wartime storage site for evacuees’ property.
- Asian Pacific Conference Scheduled in Virginia, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Asian Pacific American Heritage Council will hold its first national leadership conference, kicking off Asian Pacific Heritage Month with a White House briefing and congressional luncheon. Workshops will focus on anti-Asian violence, employment discrimination, and other issues, with an awards banquet distributing $13,000 in scholarships.
Sports
- Mariners Team May Soon Be Dealing With Japanese, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Seattle Mariners owner Jeff Smulyan has agreed in principle to a deal with The Baseball Club of Seattle, headed by Nintendo Corp. of America. Reports indicate the deal has received support from baseball commissioner Fay Vincent and ownership committee chairman Fred Kuhlmann, though the sale must still be approved by major league owners.
- Mountain Plains Plans Golf Tourney, by P.C. Staff, page 2. JACL chapters of the Mountain Plains District will hold their first team golf championship concurrent with the JACL national golf tournament at the Denver convention. Rules include district-based team selection, a 36-hole format, and a $125 entry fee with profits going to the JACL Legacy Fund.
Military & Veterans
- Reader Finds Nisei GIs Who Ended Up at Battle of Bulge, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Pacific Citizen reader Ernest Seko submitted names and addresses of 57 Nisei GIs originally destined for the 442nd RCT who were instead diverted to Europe near the Battle of the Bulge in 1945. Seko recounted his own group’s journey from Fort Meade to France, where they served as replacements in the 106th Infantry Division before transferring to the 627th Field Artillery Battalion.
Commentary
- Short Takes, by Gwen Muranaka, page 4. A roundup of short news items covers rising anti-Japanese sentiment in America per an ABC News poll, a U.S. Chamber of Commerce report on worker illiteracy, alleged U.S. spying on Japanese companies, and comments from auto executives on Japan-bashing. Additional items discuss an LA Airports minority contracting study, a Methodist Church statement against Japan-bashing, and Hawaii’s efforts to combat anti-Asian sentiment amid strong Japanese tourism spending.
- Empathy for Plight of Japanese Americans, by Herbert Katz, page 5. A letter writer, identifying as an American Jew and Pearl Harbor survivor, expresses empathy with Norm Kobayashi’s earlier letter about discrimination faced by Japanese Americans. He draws parallels between anti-Japanese and antisemitic bigotry and calls for asserting dignity against bigots rather than turning the other cheek.
- Celebrating Dr. Togasaki’s 88th Birthday, by Bill Hosokawa, page 5. Columnist Bill Hosokawa writes about the 88th birthday celebration of Dr. Yoshiye Togasaki, held by the Diablo Valley chapter of JACL honoring her lifetime of public health service in the San Francisco East Bay area. The piece also notes the Togasaki family’s history, including sisters who suffered from Alzheimer’s disease, and a proposed scholarship fund in Dr. Yoshiye’s name.
- Response to Oprah, by Yo Kanetu, page 5. A letter writer responds to a question raised on the Oprah Winfrey Show about why Japanese Americans call themselves that instead of ‘American Japanese.’ The writer explains historical naming conventions for immigrant groups and affirms that Japanese Americans’ loyalty to America is no different from that of other hyphenated American groups.
Arts & Entertainment
- In Concert: Society of Seven, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Society of Seven is scheduled to perform Saturday, May 9, at Knott’s Good Time Theatre in Buena Park, Calif., featuring musical and comedic talents of the Hawaii-based group. The event is sponsored by Stonebridge Productions with new material to be presented at 7 and 10 p.m. showtimes.
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