How the Civil Liberties Act of 1988 got Reagan’s signature

Vol. 107, No. 12, October 21, 1988. 8 pages. View this issue

The front page told the story behind the signing of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, the redress bill known as Public Law 100-383. Three letters, among them appeals from Grant Ujifusa and June Masuda Goto sent through New Jersey Governor Thomas Kean, helped persuade President Reagan to sign it. Page 5 reproduces all three, and Shig Wakamatsu’s letter on page 4 credits Ujifusa’s strategy. The Office of Redress Administration also opened a 90-day field office in San Francisco to identify people eligible for compensation, and JACL-LEC reported $104,744 raised from about 2,922 contributors.

Other front-page news covered an EEOC report on Asian Americans in top federal jobs, the Census Bureau’s decision on Asian American subgroups, and Rep. Patricia Saiki’s race in Hawaii. Inside are Jane B. Kaihatsu on Philip Kan Gotanda’s play Yankee Dawg You Die in Chicago, Bill Hosokawa’s column on dried bonito, and a report on the all-camp Topaz reunion in San Francisco. Letters on page 4 debate JACL’s wartime role.

What’s in this issue

Incarceration & Redress

• Three Historically Significant Letters Revealed Behind Redress Bill Signing, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The article describes the behind-the-scenes effort by Grant Ujifusa to secure President Reagan’s signature on the Civil Liberties Act of 1988 through New Jersey Governor Thomas Kean. It details how letters from Ujifusa and June Masuda Goto persuaded Reagan to support and sign the redress bill.
• ORA Opens Office in San Francisco for 90 Days, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Office of Redress Administration (ORA) opened a field office in San Francisco to identify individuals eligible for compensation under the Civil Liberties Act of 1988. JACL officials expressed support for the agency’s efforts and announced distribution of a Voluntary Information Form through JACL’s national network.
• All-Camp Topaz Reunion, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The first all-camp Topaz, Utah reunion drew 1,100 registrants to a San Francisco gathering in September. George Nomura videotaped the event and is offering copies for $25 including postage.
• Historically Significant Letters to Reagan on Redress, by P.C. Staff, page 5. This article reproduces three historic letters exchanged between Governor Thomas Kean, Grant Ujifusa, and June Masuda Goto that helped persuade President Reagan to sign the redress bill. The letters detail personal appeals referencing Reagan’s own wartime connection to Japanese Americans through a 1945 medal ceremony for a fallen 442nd soldier.

National

• EEOC Report Finds Asian Americans Underrepresented in Top Federal Jobs, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The EEOC’s 6th annual report found Asian Americans underrepresented in Senior Executive Service and higher federal pay grades despite high participation in professional positions. Commissioner Cherian noted this is the first EEOC report acknowledging unique issues facing Asian American federal employees.
• Challenger Is in for a Tough Fight, Says Saiki, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Rep. Patricia Saiki (R-Hawaii) faces criticism over her voting record on elderly benefits compared to Rep. Daniel Akaka. Bitterman noted Saiki had only voted for two of 10 relevant bills while Akaka voted for all of them.
• Minority University Students Fight Racism, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Minority students from University of California campuses testified at a State Senate committee hearing about racist incidents including slurs and insensitive fraternity theme parties. University officials acknowledged they cannot fully eliminate prejudice but have revised conduct codes to address racial harassment.
• Census Bureau Decides to Use Individual Check-Off Format in ’90, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Census Bureau reversed its position and agreed to tabulate Asian American subgroups individually after pressure from legislation sponsored by Rep. Robert Matsui. The bill passed the Senate without additional subgroups that had been added by Rep. Solarz, including Taiwanese, due to opposition from the administration and State Department.

Community

• Restaurant Boycott Scheme Fades Out, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A planned boycott of Yoshi’s Restaurant in Oakland, prompted by anger over racist remarks from a Japanese politician, fizzled out without any picketing occurring. JACL and the restaurant’s attorney Don Tamaki wrote letters condemning the boycott as misdirected since the restaurant has no connection to the Japanese government.
• Inouye, Matsunaga Announce Start of U.S.-Japan Exchange Program, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Senators Inouye and Matsunaga announced the 1989 Japan-U.S. Senate Scholarship Program allowing high school juniors to spend a summer in Japan with a host family. The program, funded by the Japanese government, requires a minimum 3.2 GPA and includes orientation in Japanese language and culture.
• The Newsmakers, by P.C. Staff, page 5. This roundup column profiles several Japanese Americans achieving notable successes, including Mitsuo Shito’s appointment to lead the Hawaii Housing Authority and Kenneth Yamada’s selection for the LA Times minority training program. Other profiles include Alan Momohara’s new role in Washington state government and various community award recipients.

Military & Veterans

• APA Vietnam Vets Suffer More, Says Hamada, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Dr. Roger Hamada of the VA Outpatient Clinic in Honolulu found Asian and Pacific American Vietnam veterans experience more post-war stress but seek treatment less than other veterans. He attributed this to cultural factors and racism they experienced both during and after combat.
• ACC Honors Matsui, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Rep. Robert Matsui received a plaque from the Asian Community Center for his support of a Sacramento nursing facility and his leadership in passing the Japanese American redress bill H.R. 442. The presentation occurred before an audience of 800 at the Sacramento Asian Community Nursing Home’s annual fund-raiser.

Arts & Entertainment

• Performance of ‘Fantasticks’ to Benefit Nakanishi Legal Case for Tenure, by P.C. Staff, page 3. East West Players will present a fund-raising performance of The Fantasticks to support UCLA Professor Don Nakanishi’s legal battle for tenure. Nakanishi’s attorney Dale Minami says the tenure process was tainted by bias despite a university committee finding in his favor.
• Gotanda’s Acclaimed Play ‘Yankee Dawg’ Finds an Audience in the Windy City, by Jane B. Kaihatsu, page 3. Philip Kan Gotanda’s play Yankee Dawg You Die, starring Sab Shimono and Marc Hayashi, is making history as the first major Asian American production at a Chicago mainstage theatre. The play explores generational conflict and entertainment industry racism between two Asian American actors through comedic and heartfelt storytelling.

Commentary

• Effects of Japan’s Recent Mistakes, by P.C. Staff, page 4. This editorial discusses the fallout from Japanese racial insensitivity toward Blacks, including a department store’s distorted Black mannequins and a politician’s offensive remarks. The piece warns against using these incidents to justify Japan-bashing while acknowledging legitimate concerns about racism.
• Tale of the Wooden Fish, by Bill Hosokawa, page 4. Bill Hosokawa’s column describes the traditional process of making dried bonito fish, including drying, molding, and scraping techniques used before modern preservation methods. The piece provides historical and cultural context about this traditional Japanese food preparation method.
• Only Half Proud of JACL, by Yuriko L. Kojima, page 4. A letter writer expresses mixed feelings about JACL, acknowledging the organization’s achievements while criticizing how national JACL has diminished local chapter autonomy. She states she is only half proud of the organization despite her membership.
• Understanding ‘Haters’, by David C. Moore II, page 4. This letter discusses the psychology of prejudice, arguing that people who hate often feel inadequate and project blame onto others who are different. The writer suggests understanding the motivations behind hatred can help counter its effects, even if it doesn’t make it less dangerous.
• Dissidents’ Loyalty to Japan a Fabrication, by G.N. Asawa, page 4. The writer disputes claims that WWII camp dissidents were loyal to the Japanese Emperor, arguing this narrative was promoted by JACL leadership to discredit dissidents, many of whom were Kibei. He states the real argument was about America’s betrayal of Japanese Americans’ rights, not loyalty to Japan.
• No More Cliff Bashing, by Howard T. Watanabe, page 4. The writer defends Dr. Clifford Uyeda’s convention resolution aimed at healing rifts between JACL and the Nikkei community, citing historical accounts of JACL’s wartime role and informant activities. He criticizes the tendency to attack dissenting views within the organization without proper discussion.
• Lauding Grant Ujifusa, by Shig Wakamatsu, page 4. JACL-LEC Treasurer Shig Wakamatsu praises Grant Ujifusa’s crucial role as legislative strategy chair in securing passage of the redress bill, crediting his political connections and persuasive efforts with Governor Kean. Wakamatsu states that without Ujifusa’s strategic guidance, there surely would have been no redress.

JACL

• JACL-LEC Fund-raising Drive Underway, by P.C. Staff, page 8. JACL-LEC’s fund-raising drive has received $104,744 from approximately 2,922 contributors toward funding ongoing redress implementation work. The organization plans to lobby for maximum appropriations levels and assist the Office of Redress Administration in locating eligible recipients.

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