Marking Sept. 11: the holiday debate and JACL’s finances

Vol. 135, No. 4, August 16, 2002. 12 pages. View this issue

Whether the first anniversary of Sept. 11 should become a holiday was the question on the front page. Martha Nakagawa reported on petitions and a New Jersey bill, and on skeptical responses from John Tateishi, Dr. Roger Daniels and Dr. Art Hansen, who compared it to the way Pearl Harbor Day never became a holiday. Tateishi also wrote the commentary “Securing Our Future,” on JACL’s finances as Nisei membership declined. Ryan Chin offered five ways for chapters to grow membership, and the JACL Legacy Fund Grants Committee announced $13,750 in awards.

Elsewhere, Hiroshi Kashiwagi wrote about friends he met at the Tule Lake pilgrimage, and Raymond Uno previewed the Heart Mountain reunion. Harry K. Honda and Brian Niiya wrote on 2000 Census figures, and Associated Press stories covered the excavation at the Idaho camp site and the Hiroshima anniversary. Seven short sports items fill page 7, and John Esaki’s documentary on three Japanese American women was announced.

What’s in this issue

National

• As Sept. 11 Anniversary Approaches, Groups Debate Whether it Should Be a National Holiday, by Martha Nakagawa, page 1. With the first anniversary of Sept. 11 approaching, several groups and individuals are pushing to make it a national or state holiday, citing petitions with over 180,000 signatures. JACL leaders, historians and community members like John Tateishi, Sumi Koide, Dr. Roger Daniels and Dr. Art Hansen expressed skepticism, comparing the debate to the historical lack of movement to make Pearl Harbor Day a holiday.
• Hiroshima Mayor Criticizes U.S. as City Marks 57th Anniversary of WWII Atomic Bomb Attack, by Associated Press, page 1. Hiroshima Mayor Tadatoshi Akiba criticized the United States for unilaterally pursuing its interests and called for a worldwide ban on weapons of mass destruction during the 57th anniversary ceremony of the atomic bombing. Thousands gathered at Peace Memorial Park to observe a moment of silence and remember the estimated 140,000 victims of the 1945 attack.
• Report on Historic API Workers Hearing Released, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA) and UCLA Labor Center released a report summarizing California’s first State Assembly hearing on Asian Pacific Islander workers. The report documents worker exploitation testimony and provides recommendations for legislative and enforcement actions to improve conditions for API workers.
• The 2000 Census, Voting and Asian Americans, by Associated Press, page 3. A new report found Asian Americans in Massachusetts have the lowest voter registration rates among minority groups, at just 25 percent compared to higher rates for Hispanics and Blacks. Efforts in Texas, Washington and California are underway to provide multilingual ballots for growing Vietnamese, Chinese and other Asian populations under federal voting law requirements.
• National Newsbytes, by Pacific Citizen Staff and Associated Press, page 4. This roundup covers a new civil rights coalition examining immigrant detention cases in Pennsylvania, the University of Georgia’s elimination of race-based admissions, a Hmong doctor’s culturally sensitive practice in Minnesota, old Chinatown’s revitalization efforts in Houston, a study on the shortage of Asian American male broadcast journalists, minority groups urging investigation into California utility subcontracting, and identification of a former Honolulu resident as a Sept. 11 victim. It also touches on biotech espionage prosecutions involving Asian defendants.
• APALA Releases Congressional Voter Guide, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance released its first Congressional Voter Guide to inform AAPI voters about their representatives’ voting records on issues important to their communities. The guide covers votes on legislation, sponsorships, and resolutions related to AAPI concerns such as benefits for legal immigrants and the DREAM Act.
• Peace Corps Holds API Roundtable, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Peace Corps Director Gaddi H. Vasquez met with Asian American and Pacific Islander leaders to discuss strategies for diversifying the agency’s volunteers and staff. The roundtable is part of an effort to double the number of volunteers over five years while increasing minority representation, which currently stands at just 4 percent for APIs.

Commentary

• Securing Our Future, by John Tateishi, page 1. JACL Executive Director John Tateishi discusses the organization’s historical self-sufficiency and the financial challenges it now faces due to declining Nisei membership and rising costs. He proposes changing membership renewal timing to smooth revenue flow and calls for members to help secure the JACL’s financial future.
• Meeting Friends at Tule Lake 2002 Pilgrimage, by Hiroshi Kashiwagi, page 5. Author Hiroshi Kashiwagi recounts reconnecting with old friends and meeting new acquaintances at the biennial Tule Lake pilgrimage, including fellow former internees and notable figures like artist Tsutomu Jimmy Mirikitani, who was friends with painter Jackson Pollock. The piece weaves together personal memories of camp life, theater, and shared histories among Tule Lake survivors.
• Census Workshop: 58 Major JA Areas, by Harry K. Honda, page 8. Harry Honda examines 2000 Census data breaking down Japanese American populations across 58 major metropolitan areas in the United States. The column also details lesser-known Pacific Islander populations often mistakenly grouped with Japanese Americans, including those from Okinawa, Iwojima, and Micronesian island nations.
• Troubled in Paradise, by Brian Niiya, page 8. Brian Niiya discusses Hawaii’s unique demographics from the 2000 Census, noting the state has the highest percentage of Asian Pacific Americans in the nation and a high rate of mixed-race identification. He explains how new multiracial Census categories created a misleading appearance of decline in the Japanese American population figures.

JACL

• JACL Legacy Fund Grants Committee Announces 2002 Awards, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The JACL Legacy Fund Grants Committee approved $13,750 in funding for six projects across five districts, including youth programs, teacher training workshops, and historical documentation efforts. Recipients include the Pacific Northwest Youth/Student Council, Cleveland chapter, Wisconsin chapter, Midwest District Council, Idaho Falls chapter and Sacramento chapter.
• JACL Leaders Participate in OCA National Convention in Salt Lake City, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Various JACL leaders attended the Organization of Chinese Americans’ 2002 national convention in Salt Lake City, participating in panels discussing the impact of Sept. 11 on Asian Americans. National President Floyd Mori and other JACL members took part alongside representatives from various civil rights and labor organizations.
• Best Practices in Membership, by Ryan Chin, page 9. JACL VP of Membership Ryan Chin outlines five key strategies for chapters to grow membership, including tracking elapsed memberships, recruiting youth board members, participating in local JA events, staying connected with scholarship recipients, and promoting gift memberships. He emphasizes that youth involvement and consistent engagement are crucial to the organization’s future.

Community

• APAs in the News, by P.C. Staff, page 4. John Hayashi was appointed president of California’s State Board of Food and Agriculture, Carol Lam was nominated for U.S. Attorney of San Diego and Imperial counties, and Victor Uno was elected business manager of IBEW Local Union 595. Each represents notable achievements by Asian Americans in their respective fields.
• Station to Produce Documentary on JA Business in California During WWII, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Sacramento Asian-Pacific Chamber of Commerce, Central Valley Asian-American Chamber of Commerce, and public TV station KVIE are partnering to produce a documentary examining the economic impact of Japanese American business incarceration during WWII. The film, titled ‘Forced Out,’ will explore losses to California cities and towns and is expected to air next year.
• Japanese American Experience Exhibit to Open in Merced County, by P.C. Staff, page 6. A new exhibit on the Japanese American experience in Merced County will open in April 2003 at the Merced County Courthouse Museum, covering JA life from the early 1900s to late 1950s. Organizers are seeking photographs and artifacts from community members to include in the display.
• Heart Mountain Reunion Fever, by Raymond Uno, page 6. Organizers describe extensive plans for the Heart Mountain reunion, including a Sayonara Banquet with keynote speaker Norman Mineta, tributes to veterans and resisters of conscience, and various nostalgic presentations and activities. The event will also feature exhibits, oral history interviews, and a children’s cultural activity program.

Sports

• California State Nisei AA Baseball Tournament to Hold 50th Anniversary Banquet on Sept. 1, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The California State Nisei AA Baseball Tournament celebrates its 50th anniversary with a banquet at the Torrance Hilton Hotel, alongside tournament games at USC and Loyola Marymount University. The tournament, which began in 1953 in Lodi, has brought together top Japanese American baseball teams from across the country for five decades.
• Mariners Still on Top of AL West, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The Seattle Mariners lost to the Chicago White Sox 6-5 despite a home run from John Olerud, trimming their AL West lead to two and a half games over Anaheim. The day before, Seattle had defeated Chicago 7-3 on a tie-breaking eighth-inning homer from Bret Boone.
• Woods Tees Off at PGA Championship, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Tiger Woods began the first round of the PGA Championship at Hazeltine, paired in a group beginning on the 10th tee. He was seeking his third victory in a major this season.
• Kato, Edwards Win Endurance Race, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Defending champion Colin Edwards of the United States and Japan’s Daijiro Kato combined to win the eight-hour endurance world championship road race at Suzuka. The Honda duo dominated the race, completing 219 laps at an average speed of 98.3 miles per hour.
• Japanese Linebacker to Get a Shot at NFL, by P.C. Staff, page 7. NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue allowed the San Francisco 49ers to keep Japanese linebacker Masafumi Kawaguchi on their roster through the preseason, giving him a chance to become the first Japanese player in the NFL. Kawaguchi, a veteran of NFL Europe, expressed hope that his experience would help pave the way for other Japanese players.
• Morton Has First Reception for Chiefs, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Kansas City wide receiver Johnnie Morton caught his first reception in a Chiefs uniform as the team defeated the San Francisco 49ers 17-14 in overtime. The Chiefs converted both third-down opportunities on the winning drive, capped by a game-winning field goal.
• North Korea to Participate in Asian Games, by P.C. Staff, page 7. North Korea agreed to send a delegation to the 14th Asian Games in Busan, South Korea, marking a rare instance of North Korean participation in international sporting events hosted by the South. The move is seen as a positive sign for improving inter-Korean relations ahead of planned high-level talks.
• Yamasaki Scores Four for Sol, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Lindsey Yamasaki scored four points off the bench for the Miami Sol in a loss to the Indiana Fever. Miami needed a win in their final regular season game along with losses by other teams to secure the final Eastern Conference playoff spot.

Arts & Entertainment

• Documentary on JA Women Internees to Premiere Aug. 24, by P.C. Staff, page 7. John Esaki’s new documentary ‘Words, Weavings, and Songs’ will premiere at Visual Communications’ Chilivisions XV festival, profiling three vibrant Japanese American women in their 70s. The film explores how their camp experiences shaped their lives and creative pursuits in writing, art, and music.

Obituaries

• Guiding Force at Uwajimaya Dies at 94, by Associated Press, page 11. Sadako Tsutakawa Moriguchi, matriarch of the Uwajimaya family business empire, died of complications from Alzheimer’s disease at age 94. She and her husband built the business from a small grocery store into an $88 million enterprise after returning from a WWII Japanese American internment camp.

In-Depth

• Relatives of Internees View Excavation at Former Camp, by Associated Press, page 11. Former internees and descendants visited an archaeological excavation at the site of the Hunt Camp in Idaho, where nearly 10,000 Japanese Americans were held during WWII. The National Park Service is uncovering camp remains including a rock garden and building foundations while seeking public input on the monument’s future.

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