Hapas and JACL, the Manzanar site bill, and convention plans

Vol. 123, No. 1, July 5, 1996. 12 pages. View this issue

Greg Mayeda asked whether JACL’s vision of the future includes hapas, arguing that rising intermarriage is changing the Japanese American community and that the organization should build long-term programs for multicultural families. On the front page, the House Resources Committee passed legislation by Reps. Robert Matsui and Jerry Lewis to create a National Historic Site at Manzanar, adding 300 acres to the original 500-acre proposal. The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, led by Rep. Patsy Mink, voted to add 10 members.

Also inside: JACL National President Denny Yasuhara wrote about a new chapter network, and several items previewed the San Jose national convention. The Office of Redress Administration announced a new helpline as the Civil Liberties Act program neared its 1998 sunset. Bill Hosokawa wrote about belated Medal of Honor recognition, and Harry K. Honda told of a 442nd veteran, Rocky Matayoshi, who finally received the Distinguished Service Cross.

What’s in this issue

National

• Congressional Asian Pacific Caucus Adds 10 Members, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, led by Rep. Patsy Mink, voted to expand its membership by 10 new House members from districts with significant Asian Pacific American constituencies. The caucus, formed in 1994, advocates for federal legislation reflecting APA community needs and educates other members about APA history and contributions.
• Gingrich Calls Matt Fong VP Material for Candidate Bob Dole, by P.C. Staff, page 1. House Speaker Newt Gingrich mentioned California State Treasurer Matt Fong as a potential vice presidential candidate for Bob Dole, though Fong said he was flattered but didn’t consider himself top-tier. Other Californians mentioned included Dan Lungren and Rep. David Dreier, who also downplayed the speculation.
• Suspects Held in Death of Fresno Fish Market Owner, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Two young men were arrested in the killing of Akira Yokomi, a 75-year-old popular fish market owner in Fresno’s Japantown/Chinatown area during an apparent robbery attempt. Yokomi had run the Central Fish Market for 46 years before he was found dead after the market closed.
• Texas Halts Scholarships, by P.C. Staff, page 12. Texas suspended a statewide minority scholarship program following a federal court ruling preventing public universities in Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi from using race-based admissions policies. The decision may have been influenced by a similar Georgia decision to eliminate race-based admissions and financial aid.
• Video Explains Justice System, by P.C. Staff, page 12. In recognition of Asian Pacific Heritage Month, the Bureau of Justice Assistance presented a national screening of the video ‘No More Violence: Reclaiming Our Communities,’ the first of its kind to explain the criminal justice system to Asian Pacific Americans. The video resulted from a partnership between BJA, the U.S. Attorney’s office, and Asian Pacific American Bar Association organizations.

Incarceration & Redress

• House Resources Committee Passes Manzanar Legislation, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The House Resources Committee passed legislation sponsored by Reps. Robert Matsui and Jerry Lewis authorizing land transfers to create a National Historic Site at the former Manzanar internment camp, adding 300 acres to the original 500-acre proposal. The legislation now moves to the full House for consideration before it can become law.
• ORA Announces New Helpline Number, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Office of Redress Administration reinstated a toll-free helpline number as the redress program nears its Aug. 10, 1998 sunset date, with plans to increase outreach through workshops this fall. ORA also clarified in a letter to community leaders that a $5 million allocation to the Civil Liberties Public Education Fund did not take money away from education efforts.
• The Barracks: They Tell a Powerful Story, by Ike Hatchimonji, page 7. A Japanese American National Museum docent recounts the story of a Heart Mountain barrack exhibit that closed Aug. 18, 1996, describing how 120,000 people of Japanese ancestry were forced into concentration camps during WWII. The author, who lived in the barrack next to the one on display, shares visitor reactions and personal reflections on the injustice and its lasting impact.

Community

• Chapters Successful in Changing ‘Jap Shop’ Name in Boca Raton, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Seabrook and Southeast Chapters of JACL persuaded a Boca Raton businessman to change the name of his automotive business from ‘Jap Shop’ after chapter president Misono Miller wrote letters objecting to the racial slur. The business owner agreed to change the name after intervention from the Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce.
• Las Vegas Works on ‘Strength and Diversity’ Exhibit, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Las Vegas JACL Chapter prepared for the Smithsonian Institution’s traveling exhibit ‘Strength and Diversity: Japanese American Women 1885-1990,’ coming to UNLV’s Marjorie Barrick Museum. The chapter solicited grants, interviewed local Nikkei women for an oral history project, and planned a traveling suitcase exhibit for schools after the main exhibit departs.
• Sacramento Coalition Supports Affirmative Action, by Toko Fujii, page 5. Asian Pacific Americans for Affirmative Action-Sacramento, a new coalition, announced support for affirmative action and launched a campaign against the California Civil Rights Initiative at a press conference in Sacramento. National JACL President Denny Yasuhara and Jerry Enomoto spoke in support of diversity and against the ballot initiative going before voters in November.
• Santa Maria Chapter Reactivated, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Santa Maria Valley Chapter of JACL has been reactivated with new officers elected in June, including Kaz Oye as president. Albert Muratsuchi, new PSW regional director, will install the officers at a luncheon in July.
• Marysville Chapter Dedicates Road to Honor Tanabe Family, by P.C. Staff, page 5. In contrast to controversy over ‘Jap Road’ in Texas, Harry Tanabe reported that Marysville, California city planners dedicated a thoroughfare as ‘Tanabe Rd’ on land formerly farmed by his family. Tanabe is a longtime California Nisei VFW leader.
• Some Ads Now Prohibited for Chapter Newsletters, by P.C. Staff, page 5. New Post Office regulations effective July 1 prohibit advertising related to travel, insurance, and charge cards for publications under the Special Non-Profit Rate used by many JACL chapters. The Pacific Citizen, classified as Regular Second Class mail, may serve as an alternative vehicle for such chapter-related ads.
• Utah Honors Raymond Uno for Community Work, by P.C. Staff, page 10. Raymond Uno received the ‘One in a Hundred’ award from Salt Lake County during Utah’s centennial celebration for his contributions as a social worker, juvenile court referee, professor, attorney and judge. Uno has extensive JACL leadership history, including serving as national president from 1970-72 and national legal counsel.
• Stanford Takes Steps to Halt Racist Graffiti, by P.C. Staff, page 10. Following racist graffiti incidents at Stanford University, NCWNP JACL District Governor Kori Nakasone wrote to the university president urging action, prompting Stanford to issue a statement, investigate through campus police, and implement additional security measures. University President Gerhard Casper condemned the acts and pledged to prevent further occurrences.
• Camp-Born Sansei Heads L.A. Teachers Union, by P.C. Staff, page 12. Day Higuchi, born at the Pomona Fairgrounds detention center in 1942 and later at Heart Mountain, was named president of the 32,000-member United Teachers-Los Angeles union. Higuchi discussed education funding issues in a Los Angeles Times interview, noting his heritage has had little noticeable impact on his life.
• Japan’s Catholic Prelate to Visit L.A., by P.C. Staff, page 12. Cardinal Peter Seiichi Shirayanagi, Roman Catholic archbishop of Tokyo, will visit Los Angeles for the Maryknoll Japanese Catholic Center’s first anniversary event in September. The visit includes a welcome banquet and Mass at St. Francis Xavier Chapel in Little Tokyo.

JACL

• The Network, This and That, by Denny Yasuhara, page 3. JACL National President Denny Yasuhara discusses the creation of a new chapter network modeled after the successful redress network to handle announcements and action alerts on important issues. He also addresses his decision not to seek re-election, reflects on personal attacks he’s faced during his tenure, and defends the organization’s financial stewardship.
• Update on Credentials and Convention Procedures, by Karl K. Nobuyuki, page 4. JACL Credentials Chair Karl Nobuyuki urges chapters to expedite delegate selections for the upcoming national convention and explains procedural matters that will be presented for ratification, including bylaw amendments related to the PSW ad hoc committee and youth/student board officer voting. The article details the rationale for seeking ratification rather than declaring certain 1994 amendments null and void.
• Sexual Harassment Topic of Convention Workshop, by P.C. Staff, page 4. A workshop titled ‘Sexual Harassment — Are You Safe?’ will be held at the National JACL Convention featuring panelist Caryl Ito, former president of the San Francisco Commission on the Status of Women. The workshop will address recognizing sexual harassment, recent legal decisions, and challenges Asian Americans face in speaking up about the issue.
• Fall Fashions Featured at San Jose Convention, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The 1996 San Jose Convention will feature a Tea and Fashion Show showcasing fall collections from designers Anne Namba and Kanojo USA, marking the first time the two labels have shown together. Namba is known for kimono-inspired couture worn by celebrities, while Kanojo USA, co-founded by two Sansei women, designs clothing for a range of ages and lifestyles.
• For Convention Kids Only, by P.C. Staff, page 4. ‘Kids Kamp’ will offer children attending the JACL National Convention a sensory tour of San Jose Japantown, including watching tofu being made and trying taiko drumming. The event runs Friday, Aug. 9, from noon to 5 p.m., coinciding with the theme ‘For the Sake of the Children.’
• Midwest District Council Roundup, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Midwest District Council’s spring session was held in conjunction with Detroit JACL’s 50th anniversary, featuring George Takei as keynote speaker and a progress report from National President Denny Yasuhara on finances and membership. Chapter capsules detail activities across Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dayton, Detroit, Milwaukee, St. Louis, and Twin Cities chapters.
• National JACL Credit Union Balance at $16.5 Million, by P.C. Staff, page 5. At the 52nd annual National JACL Credit Union dinner, officials focused on attracting younger members while reporting income of $86,000 for 1995, below projections due to loan write-offs. New loan totals reached $3.9 million for 476 loans, reflecting a policy change raising loan limits.
• The Ups and Downs of Leadership and Volunteerism, by Harry K. Honda, page 6. At the PSW leadership conference, workshop director Doug Urata guided participants through discussions on the value of volunteerism and the importance of creating personal mission statements. Urata explored differences between ‘mainstream’ and ‘Asian’ workplace values and recommended readings for those seeking leadership qualities.
• Of Asking and Getting—The Art of Fund-Raising, by Richard Suenaga, page 6. Fund-raising experts Irene Hirano of the Japanese American National Museum and David Lang addressed PSW conference attendees on effective fundraising strategies including having a clear mission, developing a plan, and simply asking for support. Lang emphasized the importance of having a marketable candidate or product and building long-term relationships with donors.
• JACL Offering Internships at Los Angeles Office, by P.C. Staff, page 12. JACL announced internship opportunities at its Los Angeles office in Little Tokyo, with the program’s first participant being Stacy Ige, a Yonsei senior at Fresno State and JACL Central California District Council Youth Representative. Interns work on research and writing projects related to public policy issues and membership recruitment programs.

Commentary

• The Medal of Honor—Belatedly, by Bill Hosokawa, page 8. Bill Hosokawa writes about efforts to belatedly award the Medal of Honor to Black WWII heroes denied recognition due to racial discrimination, drawing parallels to Nisei soldiers who received only one Medal of Honor despite exceptional battlefield performance. He suggests this breakthrough might pave the way for proper recognition of Nisei heroes like Lt. Col. Robert Sakakida who were similarly denied due to racial bias.
• Terry, by Bill Marutani, page 8. Bill Marutani reviews George McGovern’s book about his daughter Terry’s fatal struggle with alcoholism, recalling his own college years with McGovern at Dakota Wesleyan University. Marutani reflects on the painful narrative of addiction and recovery cycles, finding personal resonance as a parent.
• Does the JACL’s Vision of the Future Include Hapas?, by Greg Mayeda, page 9. Greg Mayeda argues that the Japanese American community is evolving as intermarriage rates increase, with Hapas representing the community’s future, yet traditional organizations like JACL haven’t fully embraced this demographic shift. He calls for JACL to develop long-term programs for multicultural families and to advocate for a Multiracial Category on the Census.

In-Depth

• Orations and Essays, Vintage 1932-35, by Harry K. Honda, page 9. Harry Honda revisits a 1932 book of orations and essays by Japanese American second-generation students, highlighting excerpts from 48 authors reflecting on themes of citizenship, education, and identity during the Depression era. The piece serves as a historical tribute connecting 1932 graduates to today’s graduates.

Military & Veterans

• Medals of Valor for a 442 Hero, Finally, by Harry K. Honda, page 12. Rocky Matayoshi, a 442nd Regimental Combat Team veteran, was surprised to receive the Distinguished Service Cross and other medals decades after his valorous actions during WWII, thanks to his nephew’s two-year research effort. Matayoshi’s citation describes his heroic actions at Mt. Belvedere in Italy in April 1945, though he remains modest about his wartime achievements.

Obituaries

• In Memoriam: William S. Naito — Portland Loses ‘a Civic Treasure’, by P.C. Staff, page 12. William Sumio Naito, 70, a prominent Portland businessman and civic leader, died of cancer after successfully blending business and community interests throughout his career. Naito led downtown revival efforts, redeveloped historic buildings, and created the Japanese American Historical Park, which he considered his proudest achievement.

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