APA health data and JACL’s financial crisis

Vol. 136, No. 10, June 6, 2003. 12 pages. View this issue

Two subjects ran through this 12-page issue. Martha Nakagawa reported from an inaugural conference at UCLA on Asian Pacific American health, where researchers argued that grouping all APAs together hides serious disparities among ethnic subgroups, with a second part on page 12. Alongside it, JACL faced a projected deficit of $135,000 to $150,000. Caroline Aoyagi covered the executive board meeting, John Tateishi and Maya Yamazaki wrote appeals for the Spring Campaign, and a page 9 story tracked falling membership and the budget cuts under discussion.

Other pages followed the California Assembly’s resolution asking Rep. Howard Coble to resign over his remarks on the World War II incarceration (often called internment). Inside are the new National Japanese American Political Action Committee, a September 13 gala dinner in Los Angeles, a Go For Broke Educational Foundation tribute in Little Tokyo, and chapter scholarship banquets. A sports page covers Paul Kariya and Michael Chang.

What’s in this issue

National

• UCLA Inaugural Conference Looks at APA Health, by Martha Nakagawa, page 1. Researchers, doctors and healthcare providers gathered at an inaugural APA health conference at UCLA to discuss how lumping all Asian Pacific Americans into one category masks health disparities among different ethnic subgroups. The conference echoed testimony given earlier to the National Center for Health and Vital Statistics Committee on Subpopulations, which is examining whether federal data collection complies with 1997 OMB guidelines.
• California Lawmakers Ask Coble to Resign Over Internment Remarks; JACL Lauds Decision, by Associated Press and Pacific Citizen Staff, page 1. The California Assembly unanimously passed a resolution calling for U.S. Rep. Howard Coble to resign as chair of a House Homeland Security subcommittee over his comments suggesting Japanese American internment was for their own protection. JACL leaders and Asian American legislators criticized Coble and the Republican leadership for failing to hold him accountable, drawing comparisons to Trent Lott’s quick resignation over separate racially charged remarks.
• Group Establishes National JA Political Action Committee, page 3. A group of prominent Japanese Americans has formed the National Japanese American Political Action Committee (JaAmPAC), a nonpartisan PAC aimed at defending interests important to the JA community. The group plans to make campaign contributions, oppose unfriendly candidates, and encourage JAs to seek federal office and appointments.
• National Newsbytes, by Pacific Citizen Staff and Associated Press, page 4. This roundup covers Viet Dinh’s departure from the Justice Department after helping author the Patriot Act, Rep. David Wu’s push for SARS-related small business loans, rising Asian American divorce rates, hate crime charges in a Philadelphia suburb, a Sikh shooting victim in Phoenix, UC regents opposing Ward Connerly’s racial data initiative, and a federal court sidestepping a challenge to airport screener citizenship rules. It also includes brief items on Gen. Eric Shinseki’s retirement, Assemblyman George Nakano’s DLC recognition, and several other Asian American honorees and appointees.
• Coble Comments Controversy Continues Amid Calls for Resignation, page 9. California Assembly members, including former internees George Nakano and Alan Nakanishi, criticized Rep. Howard Coble for suggesting WWII internment protected Japanese Americans, calling it a dangerous distortion of history. The resolution follows Hawaii’s earlier legislative action against Coble, and coincides with a related bill to grant diplomas to internees whose schooling was interrupted during WWII or the Korean War.
• UCLA Conference Continued: Disaggregating APA Health Data, by Martha Nakagawa, page 12. Continuing coverage of the UCLA APA health conference details how disaggregating health data reveals alarmingly high rates of specific cancers, heart disease, hepatitis B, and diabetes among certain Asian ethnic subgroups, contradicting the myth that APAs are uniformly healthier than other populations. Researchers warned that California’s proposed Racial Privacy Initiative could eliminate crucial race-based health data collection, undermining efforts to address these disparities.

Commentary

• What the Future Holds, by Maya Yamazaki, page 1. A JACL youth representative reflects on how the organization shaped her family’s ability to immigrate and thrive in America, and expresses gratitude for its legacy. She argues that the Pacific Citizen newspaper is a vital voice for the community now facing a real financial crisis, and urges readers to support the Spring Campaign.
• Critical Times for JACL, by John Tateishi, page 1. JACL’s executive director writes about the organization’s serious financial crisis following a difficult national board meeting, describing the mid-year fundraising campaign as critical to the group’s survival. He asks members to give generously, noting that though times are hard, JACL will continue to operate and serve its membership.
• A Letter to Roy, by Bill Marutani, page 8. Columnist Bill Marutani recounts the wartime experiences of the late M.I.S. veteran Joe Yoshiwara, detailed in a lengthy letter Yoshiwara wrote to a fellow veteran before his death. The column describes Yoshiwara’s service in Guadalcanal and Bougainville, his role translating critical Japanese military documents, and his later promotion and postwar assignment in Sendai, Japan.

JACL

• Reality of JACL’s Dire Financial Situation Hits Personnel, by Caroline Aoyagi, page 1. At a May 31 executive board meeting, JACL leaders discussed a projected deficit of $135,000 to $150,000, prompting talk of staff furloughs, layoffs, and possible office closures. National President Floyd Mori and Executive Director John Tateishi warned that the organization is entering unprecedented financial peril, with staff hours cut to 80 percent and redirected solely toward membership and fundraising.
• APAICS Holds Annual Dinner, page 3. The Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies held its annual dinner in Washington, D.C. on May 8, honoring the late Congresswoman Patsy Mink. Current and former JACL Washington representatives attended the gala tribute.
• Nat’l JACL and PSW Announce 2003 Gala Dinner, ‘An American Testimonial: A Salute to the JA Leaders’, page 3. National JACL and the PSW district announced a September 13 gala dinner in Los Angeles honoring Norman Mineta, Daniel Inouye, Robert Matsui, and Michael Honda, along with a tribute to the late Patsy Mink. The event, the largest JACL dinner since a 1980 redress fundraiser, aims to support JACL operations and includes special early-bird pricing for chapter members.
• Marketing JACL, by David Kawamoto, page 5. A JACL vice president describes speaking at the San Diego chapter’s scholarship luncheon, using a moving scholarship essay to illustrate JACL’s historic advocacy work, including the Walter-McCarran Act and naturalization workshops. He likens JACL membership to an insurance policy and urges members to actively promote the organization at community events.
• JACL Considers Budget Cuts, Membership Drive to Address Deficit, page 9. Following the executive board meeting, JACL formed a committee including Floyd Mori, Art Koga, and staff to refine the budget amid falling membership, which dropped to 19,108 from 21,033 the previous year. The board is relying on upcoming fundraisers, including a September gala dinner and a July golf tournament, while also asking chapters to forgo $46,000 in rebates to help the national budget, with a promise to repay the funds later.

Community

• JACL Chapters and CSUMB Work to Purchase Chiura Obata Mural, page 5. Local JACL chapters in the Monterey Peninsula area and CSU Monterey Bay are raising $65,000 to purchase and permanently house a 1947 mural by renowned Japanese American artist Chiura Obata. The mural, painted for a former GI student, depicts a Point Lobos sunset and will help educate the community about Japanese American history.
• Go For Broke Educational Foundation’s 4th Anniversary Tribute to be Held June 14, page 5. The Go For Broke Educational Foundation will hold a Flag Day tribute, ‘Honor Our Heroes,’ at the Go For Broke Monument in Little Tokyo, featuring keynote speaker civil rights attorney Dale Minami. The monument honors 16,126 Nisei veterans and women who served during WWII.
• Berkeley Chapter Scholarship Awards Banquet, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Berkeley JACL chapter awarded six scholarships totaling $4,650 to East Bay students at its annual banquet, featuring keynote speaker Judge Jo-Lynne Lee. The chapter also honored Tak Shirasawa with its 2003 Pioneer Award for his service to the chapter and community.
• Arizona Chapter Holds 42nd Annual Scholarship and Gold Saguaro Tribute Luncheon, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Arizona JACL chapter awarded six high school seniors scholarships at its annual Sara Hutchings Clardy Scholarship and Gold Saguaro Tribute luncheon, attended by more than 175 guests. Longtime JACLers John Hirohata, Masaji Inoshita, William Kajikawa, Suzie Sato, and Helen Tanita were honored with Gold Saguaro Tribute awards.
• Sansei Documentarian Seeks Japanese Americans Living in Japan, page 6. Media artist Art Nomura, supported by a Fulbright Research Grant, is producing a documentary titled ‘Once and Again: Japanese Americans Return to Japan’ comparing Kibei Nisei with modern Japanese Americans living in Japan long-term. He is seeking interview subjects among JAs currently residing in Japan.

Sports

• Kariya Comes by Athletic Ability Naturally, by Pacific Citizen and Associated Press, page 7. Mighty Ducks captain Paul Kariya credits his athletic talent to his late father Tetsuhiko, a rugby player who took up hockey in his mid-30s and became a natural. Kariya reflects on his father’s influence and his own record-setting playoff performance as Anaheim advances to its first Stanley Cup finals.
• Tennis Star Chang to Call it Quits, by Pacific Citizen and Associated Press, page 7. Michael Chang played his final French Open match, losing to Fabrice Santoro, but received an emotional tribute from fans recalling his historic 1989 title run at age 17. Chang, now 31 and struggling with only one win in 2003, plans to retire after the U.S. Open.
• Jung Named to NCAA All-Tournament Team, page 7. University of Arizona shortstop Lovie Jung was named to the Women’s College World Series All-Tournament Team after helping the Wildcats tie for third place in Oklahoma City. Jung led the team with a .417 batting average during the tournament.
• Takagi Named Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year, page 7. Japanese driver Tora Takagi was named Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year after finishing fifth, the best result among nine first-year drivers. Takagi, a former Formula One driver from Shizuoka, led two laps before a late pit stop and received $363,515 in winnings including a rookie bonus.

Arts & Entertainment

• ‘A Tradition of Honor’ Documentary Selected for Maui Film Festival, page 7. The Go For Broke Educational Foundation’s documentary ‘A Tradition of Honor,’ chronicling the stories of over 40 Nisei WWII veterans, was selected for the Maui Film Festival. The film, created from the foundation’s Hanashi Oral History Program archive, will screen June 11 at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center.

Obituaries

• Linda Mabalot, VC Director, Passes, by Joyce Nako contributed to this article, page 11. Linda Mabalot, longtime executive director of Visual Communications, died of cancer at age 49. Raised by farm laborer parents, she became involved in community organizing and media activism before leading VC for nearly two decades, producing films addressing social issues in the Filipino American and broader Asian Pacific American communities.
• Death Notice: Alice Sachiko Uchiyama, page 11. Alice Sachiko Uchiyama, 93, of Phoenix, Ariz., passed away May 17, survived by four sons, three daughters, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Born in Seattle to the Akiyoshi family, she was interned at Manzanar before spending most of her life in Chicago working as a bookkeeper and later serving the Japanese American Service Committee.

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