Vol. 128, No. 12, June 11, 1999. 8 pages. View this issue
A tribute in Branson, Missouri, to Nikkei veterans of World War II and the Korean War led the news. Martha Nakagawa reported that Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Hiroshi “Hershey” Miyamura received the key to the city, and that singer Barbara Fairchild paid tribute to the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and 100th Battalion soldiers. Her stories on page 6 told of veterans reuniting with their former company commander and recalling the fighting in Italy. The front page also reported anger over a New York Post cartoon, with the JACL and other groups weighing a response.
Other items cover Bill Yoshino’s appointment to an Illinois commission on hate crimes, the National JACL Board’s May motions, and Bill Hosokawa’s column on four Japanese American causes seeking donations. Page 3 has the Tiananmen Square anniversary, the Smithsonian’s Bento to Mixed Plate exhibit, and a report on Asian American-owned businesses. Page 8 reports on a monument listing 15,987 Nisei soldiers.
What’s in this issue
Military & Veterans
- Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient Hiroshi ‘Hershey’ Miyamura Honored in Branson, by Martha Nakagawa, page 1. Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Hiroshi ‘Hershey’ Miyamura was honored in Branson, Missouri, where he received the key to the city from Mayor Louis Schaeffer. The event brought together Nikkei veterans from WWII and the Korean War for a ceremony at the Wall of Patches, with local performer Barbara Fairchild also paying tribute to the soldiers’ legacy.
- Veterans Reunite with Former Company Commander in Branson, by Martha Nakagawa, page 6. George Nishinaka and other veterans of the 442nd/100th were surprised to reunite with their former company commander Maurice Williams, 84, during the Branson tribute event. James Robinson, 82, who fought alongside the Nisei soldiers, recalled the intense combat and losses his unit suffered while trying to relieve besieged battalions.
- Fairchild Tribute and Weinstein’s Wartime Memories Move Veterans in Branson, by Martha Nakagawa, page 6. Performer Barbara Fairchild’s tribute to the 442nd/100th/MIS soldiers moved veterans like Shig Kizuka to tears, with attendees praising her research into the Nisei soldiers’ story. Veteran Weinstein recounted his first encounter with the 100th/442nd during intense fighting in Italy, describing the days as ‘absolutely fierce fighting.’
National
- New York Post Cartoon Angers Asian Americans, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Several Asian American organizations reacted with anger to a New York Post cartoon published on May 26 that depicted a caricature of President Clinton reminiscent of wartime propaganda. The JACL, the Committee of 100, and the Asian Pacific American Legal Center of Southern California are discussing how to handle the controversy.
- Japan Approves Birth Control Pill Amid Gender Bias Concerns, by Pacific Citizen Staff and Associated Press, page 3. Advocates argued that prejudice against women delayed approval of the contraceptive pill in Japan for decades, with one expert saying the drug would have been approved sooner if it weren’t a pregnancy-preventing medication. Despite recent government approval spurred by growing public support, many Japanese women remain wary of the pill’s side effects and uncertain about using it.
- Chinese Dissidents Commemorate 10th Anniversary of Tiananmen Square Massacre, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Chinese dissidents and exiled students gathered at Harvard University on June 2 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre. Many attendees, including former student leaders and reporters, remain unable to return to China for fear of arrest.
- California Assembly Honors Asian and Pacific Islander American Heritage, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The California State Assembly unanimously passed a resolution recognizing the contributions of Asian and Pacific Islander Americans to the state’s economic success and cultural diversity. Assemblymember Mike Honda and members of the Green Party spoke about the community’s role in shaping California’s growth and opportunity.
- Census Bureau Reports Rise in Asian American-Owned Businesses, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A U.S. Census Bureau report found that businesses owned by Asians, Pacific Islanders, and American Indians rose sharply between 1992 and the survey period. The report reflected a broader shift in national demographic composition, with the Asian American population growing substantially since 1990.
- Garment Manufacturer Cited for Labor Violations, Back Wages Paid to Workers, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A garment manufacturing company was found to have violated labor laws by failing to properly record overtime hours, leading to a settlement requiring back wages to be paid to workers. Officials reported the company paid $966,661 to 336 workers to resolve the charges.
Incarceration & Redress
- Bento to Mixed Plate Exhibit Explores Hawaii’s Japanese American Multicultural Experience, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Smithsonian Institution’s exhibit ‘Bento to Mixed Plate: Americans of Japanese Ancestry in Multicultural Hawai’i’ explores the unique multiethnic upbringing of Japanese Americans in Hawaii. Volunteers from the D.C. area with ties to Hawaii staffed the exhibit to share their experiences with visitors.
- Nisei Soldiers Monument Dedicated After Decade-Long Effort, by P.C. Staff, page 8. A monument honoring Nisei soldiers was dedicated after a ten-year effort marked by setbacks, including a 1991 libel lawsuit over whose names should be included. The monument now lists 15,987 names of Nisei soldiers who fought during World War II, with organizers led by Kim planning a second phase involving oral history collection and a historical film.
JACL
- Illinois Gov. Ryan Names Yoshino to Commission on Discrimination and Hate Crimes, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Illinois Governor George Ryan appointed Bill Yoshino to a newly created state commission aimed at addressing discrimination and reducing hate-related violence. Yoshino praised Ryan for recognizing that indifference to hate crimes only worsens the problem, and the commission will submit findings and recommendations by December.
- National JACL Board Motions, May 15-16, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The National JACL Board approved numerous motions during its May 15-16 meeting, including decisions on the 2002 convention location in Las Vegas, formation of subcommittees on staff salaries and the feasibility of relocating the national director to Washington, D.C., and adoption of a resolution regarding resisters of conscience. The board also addressed matters including an amicus brief related to Hawaii and approval of prior meeting minutes.
Commentary
- Putting Your Money Where the Cause Is, by Bill Hosokawa, page 5. Bill Hosokawa highlights four deserving Japanese American organizations in need of donations, including the Japanese American National Museum, the National Japanese American Memorial Foundation, the Nisei Student Relocation Commemorative Fund, and the Okura Mental Health Leadership Foundation. He details each organization’s mission and financial needs, urging readers to contribute to these causes preserving JA history and supporting future generations.
- Twenty-Five and Thriving, page 5. The column discusses the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund’s 25th anniversary and its ‘Justice in Action’ awards given to about 36 individuals over the years. It reflects on concerns that future recognition for Asian Americans could be undermined by rejection based on qualifications rather than merit, and notes AALDEF’s ongoing need for volunteers and financial support.
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