A Monterey Park immigration resolution and the fight over redress

Vol. 102, No. 25, June 27, 1986. 16 pages. View this issue

A Monterey Park City Council resolution on immigration enforcement and English as the official language drew the most attention in this 16-page issue. J.K. Yamamoto reported that it passed 3-1 with one abstention and was denounced by a multi-ethnic coalition, and a follow-up story said the council refused to rescind it. Redress ran alongside it. Sen. Daniel Inouye chose not to seek the top Senate Democratic post, Seattle JACL answered Rep. Al Swift’s objection to redress payments, and the D.C. Circuit sided with NCJAR in its lawsuit. Grayce Uyehara wrote about lobbying for H.R. 442 and S. 1053.

Bill Hosokawa wrote about a photograph from Tule Lake and a visit from his brother Rube. Several pieces looked ahead to the JACL national convention in Chicago, including Ralph Graham Neas as a redress workshop speaker and Yosh Nakashima on the National Council. San Francisco moved to buy Peace Plaza in Japantown as a park, and Little Tokyo Service Center named its honorees.

What’s in this issue

National

• City Resolution Touches Off Protest in Monterey Park, by J.K. Yamamoto, page 1. A Monterey Park City Council resolution supporting enforcement of federal immigration laws and English as the official language passed 3-1 with one abstention, drawing denunciation from a multi-ethnic coalition called CHaMP. Opponents held a rally outside City Hall, arguing the resolution targets Latinos and Asians and was passed undemocratically at a 1 a.m. special meeting.
• Inouye Won’t Seek to Be Top Senate Democrat, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Sen. Daniel Inouye will not challenge Robert Byrd for the Senate Democratic leadership, instead joining Byrd and Alan Cranston in a reelection pact for the top three Senate Democratic positions. The move heads off a challenge from Sen. J. Bennett Johnston of Louisiana, who plans to contest Byrd after the November elections.
• Mink Raising Funds for Unannounced Gubernatorial Bid, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Honolulu City Councilwoman Patsy Mink held a Washington fundraiser for her unofficial campaign for Hawaii governor, though she has not formally declared due to the state’s ‘resign-to-run’ law. Mink, a former U.S. Representative, estimated a gubernatorial campaign would cost about $1 million.
• Monterey Park Resolution Stands Despite Opposition, by P.C. Staff, page 12. Despite a packed council chamber of opponents including former council members and community leaders, Monterey Park council members Hatch, Reichenberger, and Briglio refused to rescind the immigration resolution, denying racist motivations. A separate attempt to rescind the measure was defeated 3-2 despite Councilman Houseman switching his position.

Incarceration & Redress

• Congressman’s Viewpoint Rebutted by Chapter, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Seattle JACL challenged Rep. Al Swift’s anti-redress statement that direct payments would trivialize wartime internment as ‘conscience money.’ Chapter president Bob Sato responded that victims alone have the right to judge whether redress trivializes the crime and urged Swift to support H.R. 442 and S. 1053.
• Court Decides in NCJAR’s Favor, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit denied the government’s petition for rehearing in NCJAR’s lawsuit for WW2 internment damages, with a 6-6 tie ruling in NCJAR’s favor. William Hohri said the government will likely appeal to the Supreme Court, which will determine whether the case proceeds to trial.
• ‘Victory in Sight,’ Congressmen Tell Redress Supporters, by Carole Hayashino, page 1. A redress fundraiser dinner in San Francisco hosted by Americans for Fairness honored Sens. Inouye and Matsunaga and Reps. Mineta and Matsui for their leadership on redress legislation. Matsui and Mineta addressed the 500 attendees, with Mineta declaring that redress legislation will pass and include individual compensation.
• Photo From Tule Lake, by Bill Hosokawa, page 4. Hosokawa reminisces about an old photograph found in his files showing roughly 300 people at the Tule Lake camp under a ‘Forward With Christ’ banner, identifying several former classmates and camp acquaintances. He recalls his time at Dakota Wesleyan University with fellow Nisei refugees from camps during the war.
• Challenge on the Challenger: NCJAR Case Dissent Detailed, by P.C. Staff, page 12. Judge Robert Bork wrote a dissenting opinion joined by four other judges arguing that NCJAR’s redress lawsuit should have been filed earlier since essential facts were known by 1950, warning the ruling sets a dangerous precedent of deference to military necessity claims. Judges Wright and Ginsburg responded that plaintiffs needed clear government acknowledgment before being able to challenge the wartime internment decision in court.

Community

• JA Groups Support Navajo Cause, by P.C. Staff, page 1. NCRR and Golden Gate JACL sponsored a screening of the Oscar-winning film ‘Broken Rainbow’ in San Francisco to raise awareness of forced relocation of Navajos and Hopis from Big Mountain, Arizona. Clifford Uyeda drew parallels to Japanese American wartime removal, and speakers discussed the looming July 7 deadline for voluntary relocation.
• Three Community Leaders and a Corporation to Be Honored by Little Tokyo Service Center, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Little Tokyo Service Center will honor Kats Kunitsugu, Akemi Miyake, George Takei, and KCBS-TV at its annual fundraising dinner on July 11. The article profiles each honoree’s community contributions and career achievements.
• City Purchase of Plaza Approved, by Richard Oyama, Hokubei Mainichi, page 3. San Francisco’s Planning & Recreation Commission and Park Commission voted to set aside funds to purchase Peace Plaza in Japantown as a park, preventing private development. Plaza owner Sinclair Louie disputed accusations he was aggressively trying to develop the site, while community leaders testified to the plaza’s cultural importance.
• Onizuka Memorial Group Formed, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A committee has formed the Astronaut Ellison S. Onizuka Memorial to perpetuate the memory of the Challenger astronaut who died in the January 1986 explosion, with plans for an exhibit at the Japanese American National Museum. A fundraising dinner for the memorial will be held July 26 in Gardena, with proceeds also benefiting a scholarship fund.
• Student Journalists Win Awards, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Asian American Journalists Association awarded $12,500 in scholarships to student journalists in its most competitive year yet, with winners from across the country. High school seniors also received scholarships, with judges including prominent journalists from major news organizations.
• West Los Angeles JACL Holds Scholarship Awards Dinner, by P.C. Staff, page 11. West L.A. JACL and its Auxiliary awarded $500 scholarships to five high school seniors at their annual dinner at Yamato Restaurant, including the Auxiliary’s Taye Isono Memorial Award recipient Mayumi Lynn Smith. Guest speakers included past recipient Steve Seto and Dr. Jack Fujimoto.
• Sawtelle-Area Reunion Planned for Former Manzanar Residents, by P.C. Staff, page 11. A committee is organizing a reunion luncheon for prewar residents of Sawtelle, Santa Monica, and Ocean Park who were sent to Manzanar 44 years ago, to be held September 28 at the Pacifica Hotel. The event will honor pioneers aged 80 and over and seeks photos and narratives of prewar community life.
• East Los Angeles JACL Announces Scholarship Recipients, by P.C. Staff, page 11. East L.A. JACL named seven scholarship recipients from local high schools for 1986. The chapter also announced its 15th annual benefit steak fry on July 13 supporting the Japanese Welfare Rights Organization and chapter scholarships.
• Kawagoe Heads City Clerks’ Group, by P.C. Staff, page 12. Carson City Clerk Helen Kawagoe was elected president of the International Institute of Municipal Clerks, becoming the first Carson official to head a professional group of 7,800 members. She aims to strengthen IIMC’s Educational Foundation and pursue interaction with related municipal organizations.

Arts & Entertainment

• Director on a ‘Roll’, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Director Brian Maeda discusses his new production company California Roll and its first film, a commercial action-adventure featuring Asian American leads meant to counter stereotypical portrayals of Asians in Hollywood films. Maeda, a veteran of major Hollywood productions, also discussed other projects in development including ‘The Red God’ and ‘The Tokyo Club.’

Commentary

• Reminiscing with Rube, by Bill Hosokawa, page 5. Hosokawa reflects on a recent visit from his younger brother Rube, recalling their shared childhood in Seattle, separation during wartime incarceration at different camps, and decades of reminiscing about their father and family history. The visit coincided with Father’s Day, prompting memories of their father whom they called ‘The Old Man.’
• Unfair Accusation, by Jean M. Ushijima, page 5. A letter writer objects to comments by Gladys Ishida Stone suggesting East Coast Japanese Americans are more altruistic toward other Asians than West Coast Japanese Americans. The writer argues West Coast Japanese Americans have contributed substantial time, money, and effort to Asian Pacific organizations despite facing greater historical racism.
• Don’t Drop the Ball, by Edwin Y. Mitoma, page 5. Mitoma argues for JACL to develop clear guidelines on U.S.-Japan relations, advocating for building knowledge rather than immediate active involvement, while noting JACL’s constitutional mandate extends beyond civil rights to cultural preservation and intergroup understanding. He urges the National Council to establish a workable policy at the upcoming Chicago convention.
• JATC Is for You, by Henry Sakai, page 7. The Japanese American Travel Club chairperson describes the club’s third year of operation, staff changes during director Bill Hamada’s medical leave, and the club’s mission to serve the JA community through affordable tour offerings. He highlights the club’s new 800 number serving customers nationwide.
• Breaking Down Barriers, by Yoshito Kawahara, Ph.D., page 10. A panel at the Pacific Southwest JACL regional meeting in San Diego discussed leadership challenges facing Asian Americans, including the ‘model minority’ myth and roadblocks to promotion based on stereotypes and cross-cultural differences in leadership styles. Panelists Bob Suzuki, Kenji Ima, Kimiko Fukuda, and Barbara Takashima explored strategies for Asian Americans to navigate bicultural identity while advancing into leadership positions.
• Letters: Well Deserved Attention, A Sincere Attempt, by Thomas Okazaki, Paul M. Shinkawa, page 11. One letter writer praises increased media attention to Native American relocation issues, drawing parallels between Navajo reservation policies and Japanese American wartime incarceration. A second letter defends Houston JACL’s acceptance of a Coors Company grant as a pragmatic step toward improving corporate attitudes toward minorities.
• Donations Bring Mutual Benefit, by P.C. Staff, page 12. Japanese corporations are increasingly funding American universities and research institutions, partly to improve their image amid trade tensions and partly due to favorable U.S. tax incentives compared to Japan’s 60% tax on contributions. Companies like Hitachi, Honda, Matsushita, and Toshiba have given millions to U.S. schools and research programs, raising some concerns about competitive advantages gained by foreign sponsors.

JACL

• Expanding Our Outreach, by Grayce Uyehara, page 5. JACL-LEC redress lobbying efforts are gaining momentum with 128 congressional co-sponsors, as the Eastern District Council and religious groups mobilize support for H.R. 442 and S. 1053. The author also praises the successful Americans for Fairness redress dinner in San Francisco organized by Cressey Nakagawa.
• Council Considerations, by Yosh Nakashima, page 6. Nakashima discusses the upcoming National Council biennial session, criticizing the lack of follow-through on long-term goals and objectives recommended by a previous committee chaired by Lillian Kimura. He argues the National Board improperly delegated staff salary increase decisions to the National Director and calls for the Council to support staff retention through equitable salary policies.
• Civil Rights Leader to Speak, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Ralph Graham Neas, executive director of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, will keynote a redress workshop at the JACL National Convention in Chicago on building coalitions for legislative lobbying. Neas has built LCCR into a coalition of over 175 organizations and was named one of 150 people who can influence the federal government.
• Check Your Credentials, by Maude Ishida, page 6. The Credentials Committee chair outlines requirements that chapters, delegates and alternates must satisfy regarding dues and constitutional requirements before National Council recognition. New chapters seeking recognition must also meet all constitutional requirements, with disputes referred to the Credentials Committee for final determination.

Sports

• Records Set at Nisei Relays, by P.C. Staff, page 9. Orange County JACL won its tenth consecutive Pacific Southwest JACL Nisei Relays championship at CSU Long Beach, with close to 200 athletes competing despite lower turnout than previous years. Five records were set as new events were added and track distances were converted from yards to meters.

Obituaries

• Tadafumi Mikuriya, 87, Structural Engineer, by P.C. Staff, page 9. Tadafumi Mikuriya, a structural engineer honored as Engineer of the Year in 1964, died April 1 in San Francisco. He worked for American Bridge Co. and later formed his own engineering company in Trenton, N.J., retiring in 1975.
• Rev. Chonen Terakawa, 68, BCA Minister Emeritus, by P.C. Staff, page 9. Rev. Chonen Terakawa, a Buddhist Churches of America minister emeritus who served congregations from 1937 to 1975, died April 17 in San Francisco. He began his ministry at Walnut Grove Buddhist Church and retired from Honeyville Buddhist Temple in Utah.
• George Kodama, 66, Former San Diego JACL President, by P.C. Staff, page 9. George Kodama, who served as San Diego JACL chapter president in 1955, died April 19 after a prolonged illness. Services were held at San Diego Buddhist Church.
• Tom ‘Lefty’ Miyanaga, 67, Longtime JACL Supporter, by P.C. Staff, page 9. Tom Miyanaga, a Salinas farmer and the only Salinas JACL member awarded both the Sapphire and Silver Pin, died June 5 after a prolonged illness. PC general manager Harry Honda praised him as a stalwart supporter of the Pacific Citizen who championed its cause on the JACL National Council floor for 25 years.
• Mary Naka Takeyama, 86, Widow of Second National JACL President, by P.C. Staff, page 9. Mary Naka Takeyama, widow of Dr. George Takeyama, the second National JACL president, died June 5 of heart failure at her Monterey Park home. Services were held June 11 at Rose Hills Memorial Chapel.

Military & Veterans

• Dan Aoki, 68, 442nd Veteran and Hawaii Political Figure, by P.C. Staff, page 9. Dan Aoki, a 442nd veteran instrumental in rebuilding Hawaii’s Democratic Party, died in his sleep June 12 in Honolulu. He served as chief aide to Governor John Burns both before and after statehood.

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