Vol. 103, No. 20, November 14, 1986. 12 pages. View this issue
Redress led the news after the Nov. 4 elections. JACL-LEC executive director Grayce Uyehara said the new makeup of Congress improved the chances for redress legislation, citing new Senate supporters and House leadership changes. Robert Shimabukuro also reported on Patricia Saiki’s win as the first Republican from Hawaii elected to the U.S. House. J.K. Yamamoto covered how Asian American candidates fared across the mainland and the passage of Proposition 63, which made English California’s official language over the objections of civil rights groups.
Elsewhere in these 12 pages, Bill Hosokawa wrote about the diary of a Japanese medical officer who died on Attu, and Harry K. Honda looked at the murals of the Martyrs of Nagasaki in Cuernavaca, Mexico. National President Harry H. Kajihara reported on the first National Board meeting of the 1986-88 biennium. A request for 522nd Field Artillery Battalion veterans, part of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, who helped liberate Dachau also ran, along with JATC tour reports and community notices.
What’s in this issue
Incarceration & Redress
- New Lineup in House, Senate May Help Redress Legislation, by Robert Shimabukuro, page 1. Following the Nov. 4 elections, JACL-LEC leaders say the new makeup of Congress improves chances for redress legislation to pass, citing new Senate supporters and House leadership changes. Several former co-sponsors lost or moved from House to Senate, with some replacements expected to support H.R. 442 and S. 1053.
- For the Record, page 4. A correction clarifies that most Nisei soldiers of the 1800th Army Engineer General Service Battalion were honorably discharged during WWII, not dishonorably discharged as previously reported. Kibei soldiers, by contrast, often received ‘blue’ discharges, a lesser penalty than dishonorable discharge.
National
- Saiki Captures House Seat; Is 1st GOP Rep, by Robert Shimabukuro, page 1. Patricia Saiki became the first Republican from Hawaii elected to the U.S. House, defeating Mufi Hannemann after Democrats were divided by a bitter primary. Saiki expressed support for redress for Japanese Americans and emphasized the value of bipartisan AJA representation.
- Incumbents Big Winners; Others Lose, by J.K. Yamamoto, page 1. Asian American candidates across the U.S. mainland had mixed results in the Nov. 4 election, with incumbents like Mineta, Matsui and March Fong Eu winning easily while several challengers, including Tom Shimizu in Utah and David Kakishiba in Berkeley, lost their races. The article details vote totals and reactions from multiple candidates in California, Utah and the Bay Area.
- Prop. 63 Passes; Opponents Plan Next Move, by J.K. Yamamoto, page 1. California voters overwhelmingly passed Proposition 63, making English the state’s official language, despite opposition from civil rights groups and many political leaders. JACL and coalition members are now considering legal challenges and ways to reduce the measure’s impact on bilingual services.
- Justice Dept. Probe? Charges That UC Berkeley Bars Asian Students Being Checked, page 3. Federal civil rights officials are conducting a preliminary inquiry into whether Asian students face discriminatory admissions policies at UC Berkeley and other universities. The article cites enrollment statistics showing a drop in Asian freshman enrollment and debate over the causes, including SAT verbal score disparities and shrinking enrollment overall.
- Artists Can Apply for Grants, page 12. The California Arts Council is offering grants of up to $2,000 per year through a new Multicultural Entry Grant Program for ethnic arts groups that might otherwise be ineligible for council funding. Applications are due Jan. 5, and recipients will also receive assistance in developing as nonprofit organizations.
Commentary
- Diary of an ‘Enemy’, by Bill Hosokawa, page 4. Bill Hosokawa recounts the discovery and translation of a diary kept by a Japanese medical officer, Paul Nobuo Tatsuguchi, who died on Attu Island during WWII. The diary and subsequent research reveal Tatsuguchi’s American education and tragic death after attempting to surrender.
- Scoring Points, page 4. This installment of ‘One Thing Leads to Another’ humorously examines the indirect communication style of AJA males compared to other American men, using examples about commenting on a partner’s appearance. The column offers tongue-in-cheek advice on scoring relationship points, such as helping with dishes after dinner parties.
JACL
- Getting Our Act Together at All Levels, by Harry H. Kajihara, page 4. National JACL President Harry Kajihara reports on the first National Board meeting of the 1986-88 biennium, covering finances, membership recruitment efforts, and a new computer donation from the Mountain Plains District. He also recaps visits to the Pacific Northwest District and the Twin Cities Chapter’s 40th anniversary celebration.
In-Depth
- Who Painted the Martyrs of Nagasaki in Cuernavaca? Uncovered in 1958 in Mexico, by Harry K. Honda, page 5. Harry Honda recounts his visit to a 16th-century cathedral in Cuernavaca, Mexico, home to murals depicting the 26 martyrs of Nagasaki, uncovered beneath baroque decorations in 1957. The article explores the murals’ mysterious origins and the historical connections between Japan, the Philippines and Mexico dating back centuries.
Community
- JATC’s 3rd Year, by Henry Sakai, page 5. JATC Chairperson Henry Sakai reflects on three years of operation providing tours for Nikkei travelers and thanks members for their support. He highlights new tour offerings including fishing, golfing, and Hong Kong shopping trips planned for 1987.
- Discover Alaska! Special Discount Sets the Pace, page 6. A travel feature promotes a 7-day Holland America Line Alaska cruise with early booking discounts, describing stops at Ketchikan, Juneau, Glacier Bay and Sitka. The piece details cruise accommodations, pricing and the natural attractions along the Inland Passage.
- Hawaii — The Golfer’s Paradise, by Sami Kushida, page 7. A JATC tour report describes the club’s first Golf/Hawaii group trip to Oahu in September, featuring rounds at Turtle Bay, Makaha and Hawaii Kai golf courses. The piece recounts sightseeing at Pearl Harbor, the Punchbowl, and Aloha Week festivities, along with tournament results.
- JA History in Orange County Theme of Event, page 10. A Nov. 22 dinner in Anaheim, hosted by the Japanese American Council of Orange County, will celebrate three completed projects documenting Orange County’s Nikkei heritage, including a historic site survey, a novel by Georgia Day Robertson, and an oral history project. KCBS anchor Tritia Toyota will serve as emcee.
- Nikkei Newsmakers, page 10. Brief items note Katsuumi Shiba’s promotion at Sumitomo Bank, Taeko S. Brown’s Woman of Distinction Award from Soroptimist International, and landscape architect Robert Murase’s Merit Award from the American Society of Landscape Architects. Each recipient’s professional accomplishments are briefly described.
- Workshop Set for Non-Profit Board Members, page 10. Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics and the Kellogg Training Center will hold workshops on fundraising techniques and strategic planning for non-profit board members in Los Angeles on Nov. 20 and Jan. 24. Topics include board roles, fundraising campaigns, and planning principles.
- Japanese Orators to Compete, page 11. The second annual Japanese Oratorical Contest, sponsored by the Franklin D. Murphy Library of the JACCC, will take place Nov. 16 in Los Angeles. Contestants will compete in junior/senior high school and adult divisions, with cash-value prizes for winners.
- Hearing to Address Immigrant Issues, page 12. A public hearing on ‘Immigrant Students and the Schools’ will be held Nov. 18 at CSU Los Angeles, featuring panelists from several advocacy organizations. The hearing is sponsored by California Tomorrow and the National Coalition of Advocates for Students.
Obituaries
- Jack K. Ozawa, 63, page 10. A memorial service was held in Philadelphia for longtime JACLer Jack Ozawa, who was found dead at his home on Nov. 8. The Seattle-born Nisei had recently retired and was assisting local community groups; he is survived by several siblings.
Arts & Entertainment
- AATC Hires 2 New Directors, page 10. The Asian American Theater Company announced the hiring of Lane Nishikawa as artistic director and the return of Eric Hayashi as executive director. Nishikawa is known for directing ‘Yellow Fever,’ while Hayashi previously served as executive director from 1973-81 and worked on Nishikawa’s touring show ‘Life in the Fast Lane.’
Military & Veterans
- NJAHS Project: Liberators of WW2 Death Camp Sought, page 11. The National Japanese American Historical Society is seeking Nisei veterans of the 522nd Field Artillery Battalion who participated in the liberation of the Dachau concentration camp in 1945 for an Israeli filmmaker’s documentary project. The 522nd, part of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, discovered the camp during the Anvil Campaign invasion of Germany.
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