Vol. 157, No. 3, August 2, 2013. 16 pages. View this issue
Coverage of the 44th JACL National Convention in Washington, D.C., filled this issue, with redress at its center. The convention marked the 25th anniversary of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988. Priscilla Ouchida recapped the week, and John Tateishi wrote about the leaders who carried the redress campaign. Christine Fujimoto Sato reported on the National Archives reception, where Executive Order 9066 and the Civil Liberties Act were displayed together, and Nalea J. Ko covered a panel with Norman Mineta, Tateishi and Wade Henderson.
Other pages followed the convention’s work on immigration reform, including a resolution delegates passed and visits to 64 congressional offices. Youth delegate Rayna Williams described her first convention, and Sato wrote about young delegates balancing careers and activism. An Associated Press story reported President Barack Obama’s nomination of Caroline Kennedy as ambassador to Japan.
What’s in this issue
JACL
- A Convention of Superlatives, by Priscilla Ouchida, page 2. JACL National Director Priscilla Ouchida recaps the 44th JACL National Convention in Washington, D.C., which celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988 with an Opening Banquet, congressional visits on immigration reform, and a historic National Archives reception. She praises the convention committee and staff for organizing a seamless event and invites members to the 2014 convention in San Jose.
- Five Leaders of the Redress Movement Were Honored During the National JACL Convention’s Opening Banquet, page 4. At the JACL Convention’s Opening Banquet, five leaders of the redress movement—Sen. Daniel Inouye, Sen. Spark Matsunaga, Rep. Robert Matsui, Norman Mineta, and Wade Henderson—were honored with the JACL President’s Award for their roles in passing the Civil Liberties Act of 1988. Speakers including Wade Henderson and Doris Matsui reflected on the historic struggle for redress and its lasting significance for civil rights.
- Balancing Act, by Christine Fujimoto Sato, page 5. Youth delegates at the 2013 JACL National Convention discussed the challenge of balancing their personal lives and careers with their activism within the organization. Delegates like Matthew Walter and Mariko Newton shared how they integrate community involvement with their professional and academic pursuits, inspired by advice from keynote speaker Thoa Thor.
Commentary
- Heroes of Redress, by John Tateishi, page 3. Former JACL National Director John Tateishi reflects on the 2013 convention’s tribute to the Legislative Education Committee and the legislators who championed redress, including Sen. Daniel Inouye, Sen. Spark Matsunaga, and Rep. Bob Matsui. He shares personal memories of working with these leaders during the 18-year campaign that led to passage of the Civil Liberties Act.
- My First JACL Convention, by Rayna Williams, page 3. A youth delegate from the JACL Riverside Chapter recounts her first experience at a JACL National Convention in Washington, D.C., describing the Pentagon tour, delegate orientation, Opening Banquet, and a film screening of ‘Lil Tokyo Reporter.’ She reflects on meeting fellow delegates and the welcoming atmosphere of the convention.
- Heroes of Redress (continued), by John Tateishi, page 16. Tateishi continues his tribute to Senators Inouye and Matsunaga, sharing personal anecdotes about their friendship and dedication to peace and justice during the redress campaign. He reflects on the enduring legacy of these leaders and the convention’s tribute honoring their contributions.
- My First JACL Convention (continued), by Rayna Williams, page 16. Williams continues her account of the convention, describing congressional office visits, the National Archives Reception, the Legacy Luncheon, and the national voting session on resolutions. She concludes by thanking the Riverside Chapter and JACL NY/SC for enabling her to attend and reflects on the value of connecting with fellow delegates.
In-Depth
- A Historic Night to Remember, by Christine Fujimoto Sato, page 4. Attendees at the National JACL Convention gathered at the National Archives for a historic reception where Executive Order 9066 and the Civil Liberties Act of 1988 were displayed together for the first time. JACL members and former internees, including Stanley Kanzaki and Terry Shima, reflected on the emotional significance of seeing these documents side by side.
- Japanese American Community Leaders Recount Fighting for Redress on the 25th Anniversary of the Civil Liberties Act, by Nalea J. Ko, page 6. At a panel discussion during the JACL National Convention, civil rights leaders Norman Mineta, John Tateishi, and Wade Henderson recounted the decades-long struggle to pass the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, which granted reparations to Japanese Americans incarcerated during World War II. The panelists drew parallels between wartime discrimination against Japanese Americans and post-9/11 profiling of Muslims, emphasizing the importance of never giving up on civil rights causes.
National
- National JACL Stands Up for Comprehensive Immigration Reform, by Andy Noguchi, page 12. Delegates at the JACL National Convention overwhelmingly passed a resolution supporting comprehensive immigration reform, including a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants and protections for Dream Act youth. The campaign, led by the NCWNP JACL District, included legislative visits to 64 congressional offices and testimonials from youth members about immigration’s personal impact on their families and communities.
- Caroline Kennedy Nominated by President Barack Obama as U.S. Ambassador to Japan, by Associated Press, page 13. President Barack Obama nominated Caroline Kennedy, daughter of President John F. Kennedy, to serve as U.S. ambassador to Japan, a role that would make her the first woman to hold the position. Experts noted that while Kennedy lacks direct experience with U.S.-Japan relations, her celebrity status and close relationship with Obama could serve as valuable assets in the role.
Obituaries
- Robert T. Azuma, Col. USAF (Ret), page 15. Robert T. Azuma, a decorated Air Force colonel who served 37 years including a tour in Vietnam with over 4,500 flying hours, passed away on July 4 at age 75. He was interned at Amache, Colo., during WWII, later moved to Chicago, and was a longtime JACL member survived by his wife Kayko, children, grandchildren, and sister.
- Akira Yamazumi, page 15. Akira Yamazumi, born in Fresno, Calif., on Sept. 2, 1925, passed away on June 18, 2013. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother George, and is survived by his wife Linda, children Rebecca, William, and Kim, and four grandchildren.
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