Vol. 116, No. 12, March 26, 1993. 8 pages. View this issue
The JACL national board met in Washington, D.C., March 19-21, and the meeting filled much of this 8-page issue. Richard Suenaga reported on the discussion of gays in the military, where National Director Dennis Hayashi recommended lifting the ban. Gwen Muranaka covered the debate over local versus national authority on public statements after the Marge Schott controversy, and the board’s endorsement of the concept of a Civil Rights Act of 1993. National President Lillian C. Kimura wrote on how JACL makes its decisions, and a Cincinnati chapter representative explained why that chapter felt left out.
Also inside: Gwen Muranaka’s profile of Doris Matsui, who spoke about her new White House job. Police said no solid leads had turned up in the fire that killed five Southern Illinois University students. Rep. Patsy T. Mink declined the National Parks Service post, and Margaret Lawson was released from the Waco siege. Bill Hosokawa and William Marutani wrote the other columns.
What’s in this issue
National
- SIU Fire Investigation Yields No Solid Leads Three Months Later, by Mike Hoshike, page 1. Police reported March 10 that no solid leads or motive have been determined in the deliberately set fire that killed five Southern Illinois University students three months ago, with reward money now at a higher sum. Over 650 people have been questioned and more than 2,500 staff hours claimed in the investigation, a significant portion spent on racial aspects of the case.
- Patsy Mink Rejects U.S. Parks Offer, page 1. The Interior Department considered several high-profile candidates, including Rep. Patsy T. Mink (D-Hawaii), to head the National Parks Service. Mink confirmed she was offered the position but declined, preferring to keep her current job on House committees.
- Nikkei Released From Waco Siege, by Allan Beekman, page 1. Former Honolulu resident Margaret Lawson, 77, described as an elderly Japanese woman, was released from the Mount Carmel complex in Waco, Texas, and is being held as a material witness. She and others became followers of David Koresh when he recruited members from a Hawaii church before moving to Texas.
- With Doris Matsui: White House Deputy Director Reflects on New Job, by Gwen Muranaka, page 1. Doris Matsui, wife of Congressman Robert Matsui and White House Deputy Director of Public Liaison, discusses her role meeting with constituencies on issues from the economy to health care in the Clinton administration. She reflects on her impressions of the Clintons, her commitment to public service, and her family life with son Brian.
Community
- Library Removes ‘Jap’ Card Label, page 1. San Marino resident Helen C. Jones pointed out to a city library official that a card catalog section was labeled ‘JAP – JUY.’ The derogatory term was corrected by shifting cards around.
- Words of Wisdom: JACL Elders Reflect at Eastern District Council Banquet, by Gwen Muranaka, page 3. At the Eastern District Council banquet in Washington, D.C., longtime JACL members shared advice with younger generations about learning from history and getting involved. Speakers including Grayce Uyehara, Lily Okura, Etsu Masaoka, and Pat Okura expressed hope for the future of JACL leadership among Sansei and Yonsei.
JACL
- JACL National Board Meeting Held in Washington, D.C., by Richard Suenaga, page 1. JACL national board members gathered in Washington, D.C., March 19-21 to discuss organizational issues, with the controversy over gays in the military emerging as a major topic. National Director Dennis Hayashi recommended the organization support lifting the ban on gays in the military, citing JACL’s constitutional stance against discrimination based on sexual orientation.
- JACL National Board Debates Local vs. National Authority on Political Statements, by Gwen Muranaka, page 2. Board members debated how JACL should handle national statements on controversial issues after the Marge Schott controversy left the Cincinnati Chapter feeling blindsided by a national statement they hadn’t been consulted on. Lillian Kimura argued for unified national positions while Lucy Kishiue and others called for better communication with chapters before statements are issued.
- JACL Board Endorses Civil Rights Act of 1993 Concept and Colorado Amendment 2 Fight, page 2. Dennis Hayashi recommended board support for the draft Civil Rights Act of 1993, which would extend anti-discrimination protections, and the board endorsed the concept. The board also voted to support the Mile Hi Chapter’s efforts to overturn Colorado’s Amendment 2 and similar initiatives elsewhere.
- Board Updates: Reorganization, Yamashita Case, Redress, Finances, Health Insurance, 1994 Convention, page 2. The board reviewed reorganization proposal drafts, heard that Bruce Yamashita lost his discrimination case in a Naval board hearing and would appeal, and discussed ongoing redress cases with the Asian Law Caucus. Additional items included budget approval, an audit bid of $9,800, review of Blue Shield health coverage options, and plans for the 1994 convention in Salt Lake City.
- JACL Board Discusses Additional Topics: Lobbying, Media Relations, Membership, page 7. The JACL national board added agenda topics including Native Hawaiian Sovereignty, gays and lesbians issues, political lobbying training, and anti-Asian hate crimes to their list for future action. Karen Narasaki also reported on efforts including chapter handbook updates and membership program development.
Commentary
- The Decision-Making Process of JACL, by Lillian C. Kimura, page 5. National President Lillian Kimura reflects on a 1947 statement by former JACL president Hito Okada about the organization’s purpose and reviews how JACL’s democratic decision-making process works today. She explains that decisions are made through Convention resolutions and that the National Board must determine positions on issues not explicitly addressed by delegates, emphasizing the importance of a unified organization.
- Another Foot in the Mouth, by Bill Hosokawa, page 6. Bill Hosokawa criticizes Japanese assembly member Masao Kokubo for making racially insensitive remarks about black people, joining a history of Japanese politicians making offensive comments. He argues the incident risks unfairly implicating Japanese Americans in the fallout, similar to past incidents involving Pearl Harbor and trade disputes.
- The Crossroad, by William Marutani, page 6. Marutani discusses the Japanese government’s evolving and reluctant acknowledgment of WWII ‘comfort women’ (jugun ianfu) sexual slavery operations, noting a proposed fund administered through the Japanese Red Cross that sidesteps direct legal responsibility. He also references how Japanese courts have historically rejected claims from Korean residents following the 1965 normalization treaty, and notes upcoming trials by Filipino women pressing their claims.
- Communicating with Chapters: Cincinnati Responds to Marge Schott Controversy, page 6. A Cincinnati JACL Chapter representative explains that national JACL’s statement against Marge Schott was made without consulting local chapter leadership, leaving them blindsided given her popularity and complex relationship with the local Japanese American community. The writer argues for better communication and cultural sensitivity training rather than public confrontation over isolated slurs.
Obituaries
- Mitsuye T. Oda, page 8. Mitsuye Takano Oda, 95, of Clearfield, Utah, died February 25 of natural causes. She is remembered among the obituary listings in this issue.
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