A plaza for Pinedale, plus Obama’s inauguration and the paper’s 80 years

Vol. 148, No. 2, February 6, 2009. 16 pages. View this issue

The ruins of the World War II Pinedale Assembly Center were to be memorialized with a Remembrance Plaza, to be dedicated at the JACL Tri-District Conference in Fresno. Caroline Aoyagi-Stom told the story, with voices from survivors such as Kiyo Sato and Jim Hirabayashi. Lynda Lin traced the Pacific Citizen’s 80-year history through its coverage of the World War II incarceration (often called internment), Redress and the digital age. Floyd Mori and Brandon Mita wrote first-hand accounts of Barack Obama’s inauguration week in Washington, D.C.

Also inside: Prop. 8 was argued in letters, a survey report and a column by John Tateishi. Lynda Lin profiled actress Tamlyn Tomita. HR 347 would award the Congressional Gold Medal to Nisei veterans of the 442nd RCT and 100th Infantry Battalion. Other pages cover Gen. Eric Shinseki’s confirmation, the JACL Nakahira Memorial Scholarship and the reopening of Angel Island’s immigration station.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• Recognition Truly Deserved, by Hitoshi Harry Kajihara, page 2. A former national JACL president publicly thanks his spouse Itsuko Janet Kajihara for managing their household while he was away working on Redress matters. He also extends recognition to all the unheralded spouses of Redress honorees.
• Re: ‘My Redress Diary’, by Harry K. Honda, page 2. The writer praises the Holiday Issue feature ‘My Redress Diary’ and suggests it be read by all generations of Japanese Americans and friends of the community. He recommends the text and photos be placed on the Pacific Citizen website.
• Re: Prop. 8, by Harry Nakata, page 2. The writer argues that the debate over Proposition 8 is more of a moral issue than a legal one, discussing the preservation of species and traditional ceremonies of togetherness. He writes from Kingsburg, Calif.
• Thank You, JACL, by Pastor Roger L. Robinson, page 2. A Chicago pastor of Caucasian and Native American descent writes to express sympathy for the Japanese American internment experience during WWII, calling it a tragedy. He thanks the JACL staff for their work on civil rights issues.
• Inaugural of a Lifetime, by Floyd Mori, page 2. JACL National Director Floyd Mori recounts attending Barack Obama’s presidential inauguration events in Washington, D.C. despite initial plans to avoid the crowds, describing the diverse and hopeful people he met during the historic week.
• Witnessing History in the Making, by Brandon Mita, page 2. A Howard University law student describes experiencing the excitement of Obama’s election and inauguration in Washington D.C., including election night celebrations and the spirit of togetherness among visitors from across the nation. He reflects on the historic significance of witnessing the first person of color elected president.
• JA Girl, by Yumi Sakugawa, page 8. In a letter-style column, the writer addresses an unborn baby girl named Kiyomi, reflecting on what it means to grow up as a Japanese American girl in a diverse, multicultural Los Angeles. She hopes for more diverse representation in media and toys for future generations while acknowledging her own generation’s progress.
• Prop. 8, by John Tateishi, page 8. The former JACL national director reflects on his friendship with a gay colleague named Gerry and the injustice his partner faced after Gerry’s death, drawing parallels to the passage of Proposition 8. He argues that denying same-sex couples marriage rights is a continuation of historical discrimination, similar to past bans on interracial marriage.

In-Depth

• A Permanent Legacy at Pinedale, by Caroline Aoyagi-Stom, page 3. A Remembrance Plaza memorializing the former WWII Pinedale Assembly Center will be dedicated during the JACL Tri-District Conference in Fresno, featuring stories from survivors like Kiyo Sato and Jim Hirabayashi. The article details the history of the camp and efforts by descendants and community leaders to preserve its memory for future generations.
• Celebrating the Pacific Citizen’s 80-year Legacy, by Lynda Lin, page 5. This feature traces the 80-year history of the Pacific Citizen newspaper, from its founding as a JACL bulletin through its coverage of WWII internment, Redress, and into the digital age. It includes reflections from past editors, contributors, and community leaders on the paper’s legacy and importance.

National

• Still No Regrets Says JA Lieutenant for Filing Successful Discrimination Lawsuit, by Caroline Aoyagi-Stom, page 4. Lt. Brian Moriguchi reflects on winning his landmark discrimination lawsuit against the LA County Sheriff’s Department a decade ago after facing retaliation for reporting a racist drawing. Despite lingering effects on his career, he says the experience shaped his commitment to civil rights and led him to JACL leadership.
• Second Chances at Life, by Lynda Lin, page 4. The article explores organ and tissue donation within the Asian Pacific American community, highlighting the story of heart transplant recipient Todd Sato and twin sisters Anabel and Isabel Stenzel who received lung transplants for cystic fibrosis. It discusses cultural misconceptions about donation and the need for greater education and donor participation.
• Asian American Political Profile Rising in U.S., by Associated Press, page 6. The article discusses the growing political representation and influence of Asian Americans nationwide, citing examples like San Francisco’s new Chinese American board president David Chiu and Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal. Experts attribute this rise to increased civic engagement, ethnic media coverage, and political coalition-building.
• Report: APAs Narrowly Supported Proposition 8, by P.C. Staff, page 6. A new survey by the Asian Pacific American Legal Center found that APA voters narrowly supported Proposition 8, with Korean Americans showing stronger support. The data showed generational and religious divides in voting patterns similar to other ethnic groups.
• Economic Recovery Bill Allots Millions to WWII Filipino Vets, by P.C. Staff and Associated Press, page 6. The Senate’s economic recovery package includes up to $198 million in lump-sum payments to aging WWII Filipino veterans who served in U.S.-led forces. Advocates argue the compensation is deserved and urgent given the veterans’ advanced age.
• WWII 442nd RCT to be Featured in Wash. Memorial, by P.C. Staff and Associated Press, page 6. Sculptor Andrew L. Chernak is including the WWII 442nd RCT story in his Gold Star Mothers Memorial in Washington, D.C., honoring five mothers and six children connected to the unit. The memorial recognizes mothers of Armed Forces veterans including several Japanese American families.
• Senate Passes Bill to Expand Child Health Coverage, by P.C. Staff and Associated Press, page 6. The Senate passed a bill extending government-sponsored health insurance to about 4 million uninsured children, authorizing $32.8 billion for the SCHIP program. JACL National Director Floyd Mori urged lawmakers to pass the measure emphasizing preventive health care for children.
• New Pan-Asian Store Planned for Old Mitsuwa Site, by P.C. Staff and Associated Press, page 6. A new Asian-themed supermarket will replace the Little Tokyo location of Mitsuwa Market, carrying Japanese, Korean, Chinese and American food products. The new market will likely incorporate the phrase ‘Little Tokyo’ in its name.
• City’s First Vietnamese American Council Member Faces Recall, by P.C. Staff and Associated Press, page 6. San Jose Councilwoman Madison Nguyen faces a recall election after community activists criticized her decision to name a shopping area the ‘Saigon Business District.’ Nguyen was elected in 2005 as San Jose’s first Vietnamese council member.
• Ishimaru Named as EEOC Acting Chair, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Longtime JACL member Stuart J. Ishimaru has been named acting chair of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, having served as commissioner since 2003. He is serving a second term that expires in 2012.
• Fong Nominated for DHS Post, by P.C. Staff, page 7. President Obama announced his intention to nominate Ivan K. Fong as general counsel for the Department of Homeland Security. Fong previously served as deputy associate attorney general for the Department of Justice.
• Harada Wins Community Service Award, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Yoshiro Harada was honored with the Community Service Award at the Asian American Coalition of Chicago’s 26th Annual Lunar New Year Dinner for his impact on the Chicago Japanese American community. He retired after 46 years as a senior material scientist and developed paint used in the U.S. space program.
• Arizona JACLer Wins MLK Award, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Mas Inoshita, a historian and civil rights advocate, was honored with the Martin Luther King, Jr. Servant-Leadership Award. Inoshita, who was interned during WWII, enlisted in the Army and later assessed damages at Hiroshima.
• Kawamoto Wins Teaching Award, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Former JACL National Board Member and elementary school teacher Carol Kawamoto won the ‘I’m Thankful For My Teacher’ Contest. Her students will receive a classroom party and free financial education classes as part of the prize.
• Oishi Takes Home Community Leadership Award, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Joe Oishi, 97, was awarded the Takeo Okamoto Community Leadership Award for decades of service to the Berkeley Buddhist Church and Contra Costa JACL. He served as membership chair for many years, recruiting the largest number of new members in the chapter’s history.
• U.S. Immigration Story Preserved on Angel Island, by Associated Press, page 7. The Angel Island Immigration Station, once called the ‘Ellis Island of the West,’ is reopening after a multimillion-dollar restoration highlighting the detention experiences of mostly Asian immigrants in the early 20th century. The station processed about 1 million immigrants from 1910-1940, including many Chinese immigrants who faced lengthy detentions and interrogations.
• JA Groups Commend Confirmation of Gen. Eric Shinseki, by P.C. Staff and Associated Press, page 7. Retired Gen. Eric Shinseki was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as secretary of veterans affairs, becoming the first Asian American to lead the agency. Japanese American groups praised the confirmation, citing his history of advocacy for veterans and his willingness to challenge the Bush Administration on troop estimates for the Iraq War.

Arts & Entertainment

• The Reigning Queen of APA Hollywood, by Lynda Lin, page 9. Actress Tamlyn Tomita discusses her transition into mother roles after more than two decades in Hollywood, reflecting on her breakout role in ‘The Karate Kid, Part II’ and her Japanese American upbringing in Little Tokyo. She discusses the slow progress of APA representation in Hollywood and her commitment to community leadership.

Community

• Bill Seeks to Award WWII Nisei Vets With Congressional Gold Medal, by P.C. Staff, page 10. Rep. Adam Schiff introduced HR 347 to award the Congressional Gold Medal to WWII Nisei veterans of the 442nd RCT and 100th Infantry Battalion. The article details the many decorations earned by these highly honored military units.
• PSWD Launches New Youth Programs, by P.C. Staff, page 10. JACL PSW launched two new youth programs: Mobilize for Policy, which trains college students as community advocates, and Bridging Communities, which connects Japanese American and Muslim American youth. Both programs aim to build civic engagement and cross-cultural understanding among young people.
• CCLPEP Grant Applications Now Available, by P.C. Staff, page 10. Grant applications for the California Civil Liberties Public Education Program are now available, with $450,000 in awards for this cycle. The program funds educational activities related to the WWII internment of Japanese Americans, with applications due Feb. 17.
• San Jose JACL Honors Community Leaders, by P.C. Staff, page 11. The 7th Annual San Jose JACL Community Recognition Dinner honored several community leaders including Ray and Lucy Matsumoto and the Nihonmachi Outreach Committee. The event, attended by Congressman Mike Honda and former Secretary Norman Mineta, also honored the memory of the late Judge Wayne Kanemoto.
• Wisconsin JACL Honors its Own at Inaugural Luncheon, by P.C. Staff, page 11. The Wisconsin JACL’s inaugural luncheon honored members including Lucille Miyazaki, who received Member of the Year, and Sherri Fujihira, who received the Sapphire Pin Award. Photographer Kevin Miyazaki also presented his exhibit ‘Camp Home’ about the barracks at Tule Lake.

JACL

• JACL Establishes Nakahira Memorial Scholarship, by P.C. Staff, page 10. The National JACL Scholarship Program will launch the Shigeru Nakahira Memorial Undergraduate Scholarship in 2009, funded by a generous donation from the late 442nd veteran and accountant. Nakahira was remembered by friends for his generosity, community service, and love of bowling and gardening.
• JACL Accepting Applications for Masaoka Fellowship, by P.C. Staff, page 10. The JACL is accepting applications for the Mike M. Masaoka Congressional Fellowship, which places future APA leaders in Congressional offices for six months. Applications are due April 15 to the JACL’s Washington D.C. office.
• JAVA Announces Scholarship Guidelines for ’09, by P.C. Staff, page 11. The Japanese American Veterans Association announced its second annual memorial scholarship competition, offering $1,000 awards to descendants of veterans from the 442nd RCT and MIS. Applications require a 500-word essay and are due April 22, with winners announced May 16.

Obituaries

• S. Stephen Nakashima, by P.C. Staff, page 15. S. Stephen Nakashima, 86, who was interned at Poston during WWII and became a successful attorney, passed away Dec. 11, 2008 in San Jose. He served as Vice-President of the National JACL and on the University of California Board of Regents for eleven years.
• Yoshio Toyota, by P.C. Staff, page 15. Yoshio Toyota, 93, a member of the 442nd RCT who was interned at Poston, passed away Jan. 26. He is survived by his daughters Linda Carol and Janice, and a memorial service was held at West Park United Church of Christ.

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