Special national convention issue: JACL meets in Chicago, 2010

Vol. 151, No. 2, July 16, 2010. 16 pages. View this issue

The JACL’s 41st Biennial National Convention in Chicago filled this special issue. David Kawamoto was elected national president, and delegates voted to keep the Pacific Citizen in Los Angeles and rejected a dues increase. Nalea J. Ko reported that delegates also passed a resolution opposing Arizona’s SB 1070 immigration law, comparing it to the World War II incarceration (often called internment) under Executive Order 9066. Ron Katsuyama prepared a Q&A on the law, and Lynda Lin covered the speakers and awards, including Yul Kwon and Norman Mineta.

Also inside: a civil rights plenary on how the movement has evolved, a panel with Japanese Ambassador Ichiro Fujisaki, and the fight to continue a stamp campaign honoring Nisei veterans. Award winners included Stuart Ishimaru, Richard Morimoto, Michael Lieberman and Dr. Frank Sakamoto. A summary of the convention’s resolution votes closes the issue.

What’s in this issue

JACL

• National Council Elects New National Board, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The JACL national council elected its new national board at the recent national convention in Chicago, with all candidates running unopposed. David Kawamoto was elected president, with Gail Sueki, Ron Katsuyama, Jason Chang, David Lin, Josh Spry, Matthew Farrells, and Devin Yoshikawa filling other national board positions.
• Much Work Ahead of Us, by David H. Kawamoto, page 2. New JACL National President David Kawamoto reflects on the transition of leadership following the national convention, thanking outgoing president Larry Oda and other departing board members. He introduces the new national board members and highlights the geographic diversity they bring to the organization.
• 41st Biennial Convention, by Floyd Mori, page 2. National Director Floyd Mori recaps the JACL’s 41st Biennial National Convention in Chicago, thanking convention chair Ron Yoshino and the Chicago JACL chapter for hosting the historic event, the last biennial convention before switching to an annual format. He acknowledges the many staff, volunteers, and committee members who contributed to the convention’s success.
• JACLers Fight to Continue a Stamp Campaign Honoring Nisei Vets, by Nalea J. Ko, page 5. A JACL resolution to endorse a commemorative stamp for the National Japanese American Memorial to Patriotism failed at the convention, giving opponents the chance to continue pushing for a stamp specifically honoring Nisei WWII veterans. Opponents, including JAVA representatives, argued the memorial stamp resolution would undercut ongoing efforts to overturn Postal Service policy against honoring individual military units.
• Civil Rights Leader, Biochemistry Professor Received JA of Biennium, by Lynda Lin, page 5. Stuart Ishimaru of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and Dr. Richard Morimoto, a Northwestern University professor, were honored with JACL’s Japanese American of the Biennium Awards at the national convention. Both were recognized for significant contributions in civil rights and biochemistry research, respectively.
• Yul Kwon Tackles Lack of APA Representation in the Media, by Lynda Lin, page 6. ‘Survivor: Cook Islands’ winner Yul Kwon spoke at the JACL National Convention Awards Luncheon about growing up internalizing negative Asian stereotypes and his mission to redefine APA representation on television. He urged JACL members to make their presence visible and voices heard to advance beyond stereotypes and expectations.
• JACL NY/SC Celebrates Young Leaders With Vision, Voice, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Intercollegiate Nikkei Council received the Vision Award for its community outreach and activism, while Nicole Horiuchi Gaddie won the Minoru Yasui Oratorical Competition. Both awards were presented at the July 3 Youth Luncheon during the JACL national convention.
• Civil Rights Advocate Michael Lieberman Wins Edison Uno Award, by Lynda Lin, page 7. Michael Lieberman, Washington Counsel for the Anti-Defamation League, was honored with the Edison Uno Memorial Civil Rights Award for his over decade-long fight for the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. National Director Floyd Mori compared Lieberman’s advocacy to that of civil rights icon Edison Uno.
• Watsonville-Santa Cruz JACL Receives Chapter Award, by P.C. Staff, page 13. The Watsonville-Santa Cruz JACL won the George J. Inagaki Chapter Citizenship Award for its work fighting hate, advocating for cultural preservation, and supporting same-sex marriage. The chapter, celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2009, has also worked on the National Japanese American Memorial and provided diplomas to Nisei graduates denied them in 1942.
• Sakamoto Wins JACLer of the Biennium, by P.C. Staff, page 13. Dr. Frank Sakamoto, longtime Thousand Club chair and Mile-Hi JACL member known as ‘Mr. JACL,’ was named JACLer of the Biennium for his decades of contributions to the organization. He has served as 1000 Club chair for 40 years and is deeply involved in Mile-Hi JACL programs and events.
• JACL National Convention Resolution Results, by P.C. Staff, page 15. A summary of the voting results for six resolutions presented at the JACL national convention, including the failed commemorative stamp resolution, the adopted ‘Power of Words’ resolution, and the adopted SB 1070 opposition resolution. Also included are results on calendar year membership, the Topaz Museum, and Arizona’s ethnic studies law HB 2281.

National

• JACL Delegates Pass Biennial Budget, Voting Against Dues Increase and P.C. Move, by Nalea J. Ko, page 3. Delegates at the JACL national convention voted to keep the Pacific Citizen in Los Angeles rather than relocating it to San Francisco, and rejected a proposed membership dues increase. The debate highlighted concerns about staff displacement, service disruption, and the newspaper’s importance as the main link between JACL and its members.
• JAs Stand Against Arizona’s Immigration Law, by Nalea J. Ko, page 4. JACL delegates voted overwhelmingly to pass a resolution opposing Arizona’s SB 1070 immigration law, comparing it to the wartime incarceration of Japanese Americans under Executive Order 9066. The resolution passed just days before the federal government filed its own lawsuit challenging the law’s constitutionality.
• SB 1070 Q&A, by Ron Katsuyama, page 4. JACL Vice President for Public Affairs Ron Katsuyama prepared a Q&A explaining the nature of Arizona’s SB 1070 law and why JACL opposes it as going beyond federal immigration law. The piece details JACL’s involvement as a plaintiff in the Friendly House et al v. Whiting et al lawsuit challenging the law’s constitutionality.
• Civil Rights Leaders Examine Evolution of Civil Rights Movement, by Lynda Lin, page 7. Panelists at the ‘Reframing Civil Rights’ plenary session during the JACL national convention discussed how the Civil Rights Movement has evolved since the 1960s and the challenges of a supposed post-racial era. Speakers including Stuart Ishimaru and Karen Narasaki cited Arizona’s SB 1070 and revisions to Texas textbooks as evidence that civil rights battles remain far from won.
• Japanese Ambassador Discusses Health of U.S.-Japan Relations, by P.C. Staff, page 12. A panel including Japanese Ambassador Ichiro Fujisaki and community leaders examined the role of Japanese Americans in strengthening U.S.-Japan relations during a JACL convention workshop. Panelists discussed how younger generations have greater opportunities to engage with Japan despite historical barriers created by WWII internment.
• Mineta: Growing APA Political Capital is Testament of Positive Change, by Lynda Lin, page 12. Former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta, keynote speaker at the JACL convention’s Sayonara Banquet, reflected on the growth of Asian Pacific American political representation since he arrived in Washington in 1975. He cited pioneers like Patsy Mink and Bob Matsui, as well as newer figures like Bobby Jindal and Nikki Haley, as evidence of expanding inclusion.

Obituaries

• Floyd Okubo, page 15. Floyd Okubo, born in Salt Lake City in 1924, passed away on June 22, 2010 at age 86 due to congestive heart failure complications. He ran Bountiful Dental Laboratory for 30 years and is survived by his wife of 61 years, five children, and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
• Joe Ichiuji, 552nd Vet and Community Stalwart, Passes, by P.C. Staff, page 15. Joseph ‘Joe’ Ichiuji, a 442nd Regimental Combat Team veteran who served with Battery A, 552nd Field Artillery Battalion, passed away at his Washington, D.C. home on July 3 at age 91. After the war he earned advanced degrees and dedicated his retirement to supporting organizations like JACL, the National Japanese American Memorial Foundation, and JAVA.

Thank you for exploring the Pacific Citizen archive. The title, introduction and contents on this page were written by an AI model from scans of the printed issue, so they may contain mistakes. If you spot one, we would be grateful if you let us know.