JACL dues increase passes 58 to 31, plus the 2002 Winter Olympics

Vol. 134, No. 3, February 15, 2002. 12 pages. View this issue

JACL’s dues increase was the lead story of this 12-page issue. Martha Nakagawa reported that chapters ratified it by 58 to 31 with one abstention, and that the money would take months to arrive. She also covered the national board meeting, which set a May 1 resisters’ ceremony in Northern California and worked through a revised 2002 budget deficit. John Tateishi’s column, “Finding Our Way Out of the Woods,” cautioned that the added revenue alone would not settle the organization’s finances, while Tai Miski wrote to say the decision belonged at the national convention. Nominations for national officers also opened.

Chapter news included Sacramento JACL’s 80th anniversary dinner, a 100th birthday for Satoshi “Mike” Mikami at Riverside’s installation, and San Jose plans for the 60th anniversary of Executive Order 9066. Sports pages followed Kyoko Ina and John Zimmerman at the Salt Lake City Olympics, Michelle Kwan, Kazuhisa Ishii’s Dodgers contract and Ichiro Suzuki. Harry Honda and Brian Niiya wrote columns, and a Seattle jaywalking case drew follow-up coverage.

What’s in this issue

JACL

• JACL Announces Passage of Dues Increase, Sets Date for Resisters’ Ceremony, by Martha Nakagawa, page 1. JACL’s national board reported that chapters ratified a dues increase by a vote of 58 to 31 with one abstention, though the financial effects won’t be felt for months. The board also announced a resisters’ ceremony scheduled for May 1 in Northern California, featuring keynote speaker Congressman Mike Honda, and discussed investment committee matters regarding portfolio allocation.
• Nominations Open for National JACL Officers, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The JACL nominations committee announced it is accepting nominations for national officer elections at the June convention, seeking candidates for president, several vice president positions, and secretary/treasurer. Committee chair Jim Tsujimura urged chapters to identify qualified candidates, with a nomination deadline of March 28.
• National Board Meeting Continues: Finance, Convention, and Personnel Updates, by Martha Nakagawa, page 6. The JACL national board discussed a contentious restructuring of the Finance Committee, ultimately keeping it in traditional form, while also confronting a revised 2002 budget deficit estimated at $203,515. The board also approved withdrawing $75,000 from the national endowment fund to cover various obligations and heard updates on the upcoming national convention in Las Vegas.

National

• ‘Showcases’ Expose Obstacles for APA Actors in Effort to Diversify Network TV, by Tracy Uba, page 1. Following criticism from a minority media coalition, ABC, CBS and Fox have held special showcases to give Asian Pacific American actors greater visibility with casting directors and network executives. While some actors have found the showcases beneficial in landing auditions and roles, many say systemic obstacles remain, including stereotyping and underrepresentation of APAs in scripted roles.
• Seattle Officer Reprimanded Over Asian American Jaywalking Incident, by Associated Press and Pacific Citizen Staff, page 1. A Seattle police officer was cleared of racial profiling but reprimanded for rudeness after stopping a group of Asian American students for jaywalking near Safeco Field. A citizen oversight report supported only one of seven allegations against Officer Jess Pitts, though a public defender criticized the investigation as flawed and biased.
• Top NBC Executive Scott Sassa Reportedly On the Way Out, by Associated Press, page 3. NBC’s West Coast entertainment president Scott Sassa is expected to leave the network after the new schedule is announced in May. Sassa had drawn criticism from NBC management for being slow to embrace reality television trends.
• California License Plate Honors Victims of Sept. 11, by P.C. Staff, page 3. California Assemblyman George Nakano co-authored legislation creating a special memorial license plate honoring Sept. 11 victims, with proceeds funding scholarships for affected families and antiterrorism efforts. High school students participated in a statewide contest to design the plate, with a winner to be chosen by Feb. 16.
• National Newsbytes, by Pacific Citizen Staff and Associated Press, page 3. This roundup covers Secretary Norman Mineta’s recovery from hip surgery, Senator Inouye’s defense of conditions at Guantanamo Bay, a $3.3 million settlement in an Asian American and white student reverse discrimination lawsuit in Oklahoma, and a study on Asian American student distribution in Portland schools. It also covers efforts to boost Japanese tourism to Hawaii and the swearing-in of the first Hmong American state senator in Minnesota.
• National Board Addresses YWCA Property Dispute, Judicial Nominations, and Bone Marrow Registration, by Martha Nakagawa, page 11. The JACL board discussed the Soko Bukai’s lawsuit against the San Francisco YWCA over property rights originally secured by Issei women in the early 1900s, and voted to support three Asian American attorneys seeking judicial appointments in California. The board also approved a resolution to increase bone marrow donor registration among people of color, inspired by a presentation from the Help Nicole organization.
• Seattle Jaywalking Incident: Public Defender Critiques OPA Investigation, by P.C. Staff, page 12. Continuing coverage of the Seattle jaywalking incident details public defender Leo Hamaji’s criticism of the Office of Professional Accountability’s investigation as biased and flawed. Hamaji argues that race was a significant factor in the incident, pointing to officers’ comments questioning the students’ national origin despite them being American citizens.

Commentary

• Finding Our Way Out of the Woods, by John Tateishi, National Director, page 2. JACL National Director John Tateishi discusses the organization’s ongoing budget deficit despite the recent approval of a dues increase, cautioning that the added revenue alone won’t resolve the financial troubles. He also shares positive news of two generous donations, including an anonymous $14,000 pledge and a $20,000 personal check from a member.
• Re: Dues Increase, by Tai Miski, Past National JACL Treasurer, page 2. A letter to the editor from a past national JACL treasurer expresses concern that the significant dues increase should have been decided at the national convention rather than through a board vote. The writer argues this would have allowed for open discussion and better-informed decision-making by chapters.
• Quotables of 2001 to Keep You Going, by Harry Honda, page 8. Editor Emeritus Harry Honda compiles a year-end retrospective of memorable quotes and headlines from Pacific Citizen issues throughout 2001, covering topics from JACL governance to civil rights issues affecting Arab and Muslim Americans post-9/11. The column reflects on major events including the dues debate, redress issues, and hate crime reporting throughout the year.
• Troubled in Paradise: All in It Together, by Brian Niiya, page 8. The author reflects on the uniquely interconnected social fabric of Hawai’i, where seemingly every person he meets turns out to have some connection to his life or family. He explores how this phenomenon fosters civility and strong local identity, but also contributes to a sense of insularity among residents.

Community

• APAs in the News, by P.C. Staff, page 3. This roundup of APA appointments and awards includes Samuel T. Mok’s confirmation as chief financial officer at the Department of Labor and Dr. Jeremy Wu’s appointment as director of the Office of Civil Rights at the Department of Transportation. It also notes Mitchell Maki’s appointment as associate dean at Cal State L.A. and his recent JACL honor.
• Riverside JACL Installation Doubles as Birthday Party for a Centenarian, by Harry K. Honda, Editor Emeritus, page 4. The Riverside JACL’s annual installation luncheon became a birthday celebration for 100-year-old Satoshi ‘Mike’ Mikami, a longtime community resident who immigrated from Japan in 1921. The chapter honored Mikami with a trip to Hawaii and announced a scholarship in his name, while also installing new board officers led by returning president Michiko Yoshimura.
• Arizona Chapter Co-Sponsors Teacher Training Workshop, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Arizona JACL chapter and the Arizona Historical Society Museum co-sponsored their third annual teacher training workshop on Japanese American internment, drawing 38 attendees including 23 teachers. Speakers included internment survivors and educators who shared personal experiences and historical context of the wartime incarceration.
• San Jose Chapter Installs 2002 Officers, Board Members, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The San Jose JACL chapter held its annual installation ceremony, swearing in Kenzo Kimura as president along with other new officers and continuing board members. The chapter plans special events for 2002 marking the 60th anniversary of Executive Order 9066, including a reenactment of the forced evacuation of Japanese Americans.
• Sacramento JACL Celebrates 80th Anniversary, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Nearly 400 people gathered at the Radisson Hotel to celebrate Sacramento JACL’s 80th anniversary, with the gala dinner dedicated to the memory of community leader Toko Fujii. National JACL President Floyd Mori served as keynote speaker and helped install the chapter’s 2002 board members.

Sports

• U.S. Pairs Figure Skaters Ina and Zimmerman Finish Fifth, Russians Take Gold, by Pacific Citizen Staff, page 7. American pairs skaters Kyoko Ina and John Zimmerman finished fifth at the Salt Lake City Olympics after a controversial judging decision awarded gold to Russians Elena Berezhnaya and Anton Sikharulidze over Canadian favorites. Ina, born in Japan and raised in New York, credited coach Tamara Moskina with helping the pair overcome early communication struggles.
• Engineering Professor to Ski for Thailand, by Associated Press, page 7. Prawat Nagvajara, a 43-year-old Drexel University engineering professor, became Thailand’s first-ever Winter Olympics athlete, competing in the 30-kilometer cross-country skiing event. Born in Bangkok, he took up skiing in Boston and qualified by competing in five international races.
• Kwan Hints She Will Compete After Olympics, by Associated Press, page 7. Six-time U.S. figure skating champion Michelle Kwan suggested she may continue competing beyond the Salt Lake City Olympics, potentially through the 2006 Turin Games. Kwan reflected on her Olympic journey, including her disappointing experiences in 1994 and 1998, and emphasized valuing the process over medals.
• Ishii Signs $12.3 Million Contract With Dodgers, by Associated Press, page 7. Left-handed pitcher Kazuhisa Ishii signed a four-year, $12.3 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, becoming the third high-profile Japanese player to join MLB in three years. Dodgers officials expressed high expectations for the 28-year-old, who compiled a strong career record with the Yakult Swallows.
• Ichiro Voted Seattle Sports Star of the Year, by Pacific Citizen Staff and Associated Press, page 9. Seattle Mariners right fielder Ichiro Suzuki was voted the Seattle Post-Intelligencer’s male Sports Star of the Year after a sensational rookie season in Major League Baseball. Teammate Jay Buhner accepted the award on Suzuki’s behalf since he was in Japan at the time.
• Agbayani’s College Jersey Number Retired, by Pacific Citizen Staff and Associated Press, page 9. Hawaii Pacific University retired the No. 28 jersey worn by pro baseball player Benny Agbayani, a Hawaii native now playing for the Colorado Rockies. Agbayani, who wears No. 50 to honor the 50th state, previously starred for the New York Mets before being traded.
• Komine Returns, but Will Nebraska Deliver?, by Associated Press, page 9. Nebraska’s baseball team enters the season as a top-10 ranked contender following their first-ever College World Series appearance, bolstered by the return of All-American pitcher Shane Komine. The Cornhuskers are considered among the favorites in the Big 12 conference this season.
• Exodus of Star Players Taking Toll on Japanese Baseball, by Associated Press, page 9. As star players like Kazuhisa Ishii and Ichiro Suzuki depart for Major League Baseball, Japanese professional baseball is experiencing declining attendance and fan interest. Officials worry the talent drain could reduce Japan’s leagues to little more than minor league feeders for MLB, prompting calls to speed up game pace and make the sport more appealing domestically.
• Hawaii Sweeps UC San Diego, by P.C. Staff, page 9. The University of Hawaii men’s volleyball team swept UC San Diego behind Tony Ching’s 10 kills after his return from a shoulder injury. The second-ranked Rainbows improved to 6-0 in conference play and 9-2 overall.

Obituaries

• Former Gardena City Councilman Dr. Paul Y. Tsukahara Passes, by P.C. Staff, page 11. Dr. Paul Yoshihiro Tsukahara, a dentist, former Gardena city councilman, and Military Intelligence Service veteran, passed away at age 85. He was incarcerated at the Gila River camp during World War II and later became a prominent civic leader in Gardena, helping found the Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute.

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