Redress bill S.1009 heads toward a Senate vote

Vol. 105, No. 14, October 30, 1987. 8 pages. View this issue

The redress bill was the main subject of this issue. The front page reported that the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee had sent a revised S.1009 forward with an amendment from Sen. Bill Roth, and that Grayce Uyehara of JACL-LEC explained eligibility and the payment schedule. Uyehara returned on page 5 with a column on the remaining steps before the Civil Liberties Act could become law. P.C. Staff also explained why Rep. Norman Mineta voted “present” on H.R. 442, and John Saito wrote that redress payment forms did not yet exist.

Elsewhere, Rev. Jesse Jackson spoke to Asian Pacific Americans at a convention in Los Angeles, and Harry H. Kajihara wrote about the Smithsonian’s Japanese American exhibit. Bill Hosokawa wrote on Chinese farm labor, and Chizu Iiyama gave her impressions of Japanese women after a visit to Japan.

What’s in this issue

Incarceration & Redress

• Senate Ready to Vote on S.1009; Payment Schedule Explained, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Senate Governmental Affairs Committee has reported out a revised version of S.1009, the redress bill, with an amendment from Sen. Bill Roth adjusting the appropriations schedule. JACL-LEC director Grayce Uyehara explained eligibility definitions, payment procedures, and the extinguishment of claims clause, while urging continued letter-writing to push for presidential signature.
• Mineta Vote on H.R. 442 Explained, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Rep. Norman Mineta voted ‘present-not voting’ on H.R. 442 due to a potential conflict of interest since he could personally benefit from the redress payment. His office said the decision was difficult, as Mineta was interned as a child and has not decided whether he would accept redress money himself.

National

• Jackson Promises to Support Asian Americans, by Laurie Mochidome, page 1. Rev. Jesse Jackson addressed 300 Asian Pacific Americans at the first NDCAPA convention in Los Angeles, criticizing U.S. corporate practices and the Reagan administration for anti-Asian violence and trade deficit blame-shifting. He pledged to appoint more Asian Americans to leadership positions and praised the community’s push for redress.
• Inouye May Be Next Senate Leader, by P.C. Staff, page 2. A Honolulu Advertiser column suggests Sen. Daniel Inouye crafted a careful statement opposing Judge Robert Bork’s Supreme Court confirmation with an eye toward becoming Senate majority leader. Speculation is fueled by Sen. John Stennis’s announcement he won’t seek re-election and talk that Sen. Robert Byrd may step down as majority leader.
• OCA Urges Support of Redress Bill, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Organization of Chinese Americans is urging all Asians and Americans to rally behind the Civil Liberties Act of 1987 amid fears President Reagan may veto it. OCA president James Tso wrote to Reagan arguing that redress is a matter of righting a historical wrong regardless of cost.
• Shows are the ‘Pits,’ Says NECO, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations presented ‘Peach Pit’ Awards to TV shows and commercials deemed offensive to ethnic groups, with Saturday Night Live receiving the top ‘Platinum Pit Award’ for a skit mocking Chinese Americans. NECO called on networks to remove the offensive material and become more sensitive to ethnic Americans.
• Mineta Expresses Concern for Gulf Problems, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Rep. Norman Mineta criticized President Reagan for pursuing military action in the Persian Gulf without congressional cooperation, saying it violated the War Powers Resolution. Mineta joined more than 100 other members of Congress in a lawsuit seeking to force the president to comply with the law.
• Soviet Action Shocks Matsunaga, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Sen. Spark Matsunaga wrote to Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev objecting to Soviet missile tests aimed near Hawaii, calling the timing incomprehensible given ongoing arms negotiations. He urged Gorbachev to explain the tests and avoid such provocative actions in the future.
• Nikkei Appointed to Lottery Post, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Gov. George Deukmejian appointed Joanne A. Ichimura-Hoffman of Sacramento as Deputy Director of Electronic Data Processing Operations for the California State Lottery. She previously served in several roles within California’s Department of Social Services and Employment Development Department.

Arts & Entertainment

• Story of Manjiro Subject of Film, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Woody Clark Productions and Compass America Productions are developing a dramatic feature film about Manjiro Nakahama, the first Japanese national educated in the U.S., and his mentor Captain William Whitfield. Producers hope to finalize a co-production deal with a Japanese producer and begin filming in early 1988.
• Films About Asian Americans Wanted, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The National Asian American Telecommunications Association is seeking new film and video productions for its PBS series ‘Silk Screen,’ particularly works on Korean, Filipino, and Southeast Asian experiences. The series has featured works by independent producers including Loni Ding, Felicia Lowe, and Robert Nakamura.

Military & Veterans

• Buddhist Chaplains, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Defense Department decided to permit Buddhist chaplains to serve in the U.S. armed forces, marking the first time a religion outside Christianity or Judaism will be represented in the military chaplaincy. BCA Bishop Seigen H. Yamaoka received official notification of the decision from the Armed Forces Chaplain Board.

Community

• ABC Installs New Officers, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Asian Pacific Bar of California installed new officers during the State Bar Convention in Los Angeles, with Rep. Robert Matsui speaking about the passage of redress bill H.R. 442. New officers include Hoyt H. Zia as president, sworn in by Judge Ernest Hiroshige.
• Legal Aid Directory Now Available, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Legal Aid Society of Orange County has published a directory of Asian Pacific American community services to help the growing Southeast Asian American population access free legal services. The directory was compiled by volunteers as part of Legal Aid’s Southeast Asian American Legal Outreach Project.

Commentary

• Washington Wonder & Wrap-Up, by Harry H. Kajihara, page 4. National JACL President Harry Kajihara reflects on the House passage of H.R. 442 and the opening of the Smithsonian’s Japanese American exhibit in Washington, thanking key congressional supporters. He also updates members on five high-priority JACL tasks including fund development, automated membership renewal, and the 1000 Club Trust.
• History and New Immigrant Chinese Labor, by Bill Hosokawa, page 4. Columnist Bill Hosokawa examines a proposal to bring Chinese farm workers temporarily into the U.S., drawing parallels to the exploitative history of 19th-century Chinese immigrant labor. He warns that such plans could stir xenophobia despite assurances of legality and fair wages.
• How a Bill Becomes Law, by Grayce Uyehara, page 5. LEC director Grayce Uyehara explains the remaining legislative steps for the redress bills, including Senate floor action, a likely conference committee to reconcile House and Senate versions, and final presidential action. She urges continued letter-writing campaigns to secure the president’s signature.
• Redress Payment Forms Not Out Yet, by John Saito, page 8. John Saito of JACL Pacific Southwest district describes repeated calls asking for redress payment application forms, which do not yet exist. He explains the confusion stems from old civil service retirement credit forms and promises media coverage once the bill passes.

JACL

• JACL to Follow Yasuhara Plan After Redress, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Denny Yasuhara’s post-redress plan to promote understanding between Japan and the U.S. was accepted in principle by the National JACL Board at its October meeting. The detailed plan outlines a national committee structure, funding mechanisms, scholarships, and educational programs to be implemented over several years.
• JACL Can Better Serve Membership, NJAHS Says, by P.C. Staff, page 5. A commentary criticizes JACL for taking credit for community efforts led by grassroots groups, citing the Title II repeal campaign and the National Japanese American Historical Society’s Smithsonian exhibit work. It suggests JACL should better support, rather than upstage, smaller community organizations.

In-Depth

• Impressions of the Japanese Woman, by Chizu Iiyama, page 6. Chizu Iiyama reflects on her visit to Japan and compares the roles of Japanese women to Japanese American women, citing surveys showing most Japanese women favor traditional homemaker roles. She also notes signs of change, including legal challenges to gender norms and more women entering the workforce.

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