Redress eligibility reversed: the September 17, 1993 issue

Vol. 117, No. 9, September 17, 1993. 8 pages. View this issue

Redress led the news. JACL applauded the Office of Redress Administration for reversing its position and agreeing to pay Japanese Americans who were born in camp after their mothers had “voluntarily entered,” or who went into camp as children with their mothers. The paper reported that JACL, with Reps. Mineta, Matsui and Mink, had pressed for nearly a year on behalf of about 75 people. Also on the front page: a Marine Corps study on racial discrimination, which attorney Bruce Yamashita called inadequate, and the verdict against Jean Ishibashi in her case against the American Friends Service Committee.

In the commentary pages, JACL National President Lillian C. Kimura wrote about attending the peace agreement signing at the White House, and Karl K. Nobuyuki argued that the national organization had neglected chapter membership. Harry K. Honda rounded up chapter newsletters and reviewed new books, including a memoir about the 442nd Regimental Combat Team’s Company F. Page 3 describes a national conference sponsored by the Japanese American National Museum.

What’s in this issue

National

• JACL Applauds ORA Reversal on Redress Eligibility, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Office of Redress Administration reversed its position and will now provide redress payments to Japanese Americans born in camp after their mothers had ‘voluntarily entered’ or who accompanied their mothers into camp. JACL, along with Reps. Mineta, Matsui, and Mink, had pressed ORA for nearly a year to reconsider its earlier denial of eligibility to about 75 individuals.
• Marine Report Acknowledges Problems but Yamashita Says That’s Inadequate, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A U.S. Marine Corps study acknowledged minorities face special challenges but attorney Bruce Yamashita, who sued the Marines for racial discrimination, says the report falls short of addressing the core problem. The study recommended rewriting affirmative action policy and assigning more minority officers to officer training school, while Yamashita plans to lobby Congress for his officer’s commission.
• Republican Saiki Gets Help from Democrat Supporter in Governor’s Race, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Larry Mehau, a rancher traditionally aligned with Democrats, has organized a fundraiser that drew about 700 people for Republican gubernatorial candidate Patricia Saiki in Hawaii’s 1994 race. Saiki welcomed the unusual political alliance, saying she is open to support from any political persuasion.
• Jurors Rule Against Sexual Harassment Case of Ishibashi, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A San Francisco Superior Court jury ruled against Jean Ishibashi in her case charging the American Friends Service Committee with providing an unsafe working environment, finding she was harassed but not to the extent of a hostile work environment. The judge had limited testimony to the sexual harassment charge, excluding claims of retaliation for her affirmative action and union organizing activities.
• Clinton Appoints Two Asian Americans, by P.C. Staff, page 1. President Clinton appointed N. Cinnamon Dornsife as alternate executive director of the Asian Development Bank and Josephine S. Huang as assistant deputy undersecretary for Environmental Security. Both women bring extensive experience in international development, environmental policy, and regulatory affairs.
• Father Asks Thais to Help Son Avoid Death Penalty, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Brian Doody asked the local Thai community to send letters urging leniency for his son Jonathan Doody, convicted as a triggerman in the 1991 slayings of nine people at a Thai Buddhist temple outside Phoenix. Temple members expressed mixed feelings, with some noting Buddhists don’t believe in the death penalty while worrying about the optics if Doody’s accomplice receives life while Doody faces execution.
• AFSC Denies Ishibashi’s Allegations, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Following the jury verdict against Jean Ishibashi, AFSC executive director Wilson Riles Jr. denied all allegations, stating the organization took reasonable action regarding the harassment complaint. Supporters of Ishibashi criticized Judge Carlos Bea’s handling of the trial as lacking humanity, while Riles maintained the judge was fair in limiting witnesses for both sides.

Community

• Ed Chow Confirmed Amid Controversy, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Ed Chow of Kent, Wash., began his job as deputy assistant secretary for Veteran Affairs policy despite denunciation from some veterans over his 1978 felony conviction for defending himself against an attacker. Chow has been involved with Vietnam Veterans of America and worked as a toxicologist and program manager in environmental health fields.
• Quick-Scan of JACL Chapter Newsletter News, by Harry K. Honda, page 4. A roundup of news from various JACL chapter newsletters covers the Tri-District conference in Cleveland, Philadelphia JACL’s bid for the 1996 National Convention, and profiles of Philadelphia chapter members including George and Ruth Higuchi, Jane Sanbuichi-Guerin, Paul Uyehara, Ed Nakawatase, Lonnie Lin, and chapter president Bill Y. Kishi. The column details their personal histories, camp experiences, and community involvement.
• Personally Speaking: Music World, by P.C. Staff, page 4. A roundup column covers musician Planet Deems Tsutakawa’s New Orleans Creole restaurant venture in Seattle and pharmaceutical executive Akira Tsumura’s ukulele collection exhibit at the Honolulu Academy of Arts. The column also covers local election races involving Al Sugiyama and other Asian American candidates, sumo wrestler Konishiki’s move toward Japanese citizenship, high jumper Rick Noji’s athletic career, and businessman Scott Oki’s baby blanket venture with charitable donations.

JACL

• IDC Announces Fall Meeting, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Intermountain District Council, JACL, has scheduled its fall meeting for Saturday, Oct. 16, in Jackpot, Nev., with agenda items including organization restructuring, national convention planning, and election of officers. The event will be held at Cactus Pete’s with registration information provided by governor Randy Harano.

In-Depth

• National Japanese American Conference: Building Bridges Through Collaboration, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Japanese American National Museum is sponsoring a national conference October 8-9, 1993 at the Biltmore in Los Angeles, featuring keynote speaker Akio Morita of Sony Corporation. The conference includes numerous panel dialogues on topics ranging from institutional collaboration, U.S.-Japan relations, military veterans history, curriculum development, and artist roles in cultural organizations.

Arts & Entertainment

• Bill Cosby Returns to Cal Poly Pomona, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Bill Cosby returned to Cal Poly Pomona to film scenes for the CBS-TV movie The Return of I Spy, reuniting with university president Dr. Bob Suzuki whom he has known since their time together at University of Massachusetts-Amherst. Although the university receives no payment, Suzuki noted the film will provide significant promotional benefit through campus scenes and name recognition.
• On the Bookshelf, by Harry K. Honda, page 5. Editor emeritus Harry Honda reviews several new books including Harry Kitano’s updated ‘Generations and Identity: The Japanese American,’ Jack Wakamatsu’s memoir ‘Silent Warriors’ about the 442nd RCT’s Company F, and Barbara Kawakami’s ‘Japanese Immigrant Clothing in Hawaii 1885-1941.’ Additional reviews cover a San Diego History journal article on WWII relocation, a humor book on Zen and cats, translated Japanese literature by Sanki Saito, and a book on the Japanese astrological science of Kigaku.

Commentary

• A Great Moment in History, by Lillian C. Kimura, page 6. JACL National President Lillian Kimura recounts attending the historic September 13 signing of the peace agreement between Israel and the PLO at the White House, describing the ceremony and notable attendees including members of Congress. She reflects on her earlier 1988 trip to Israel as part of a Japanese American Leaders Seminar, expressing hope that the peace process continues despite ongoing violence.
• On JACL Membership, by Karl K. Nobuyuki, page 6. Former JACL national executive director Karl Nobuyuki criticizes the national organization for neglecting chapter membership engagement, contrasting the current disconnect with an earlier era of aggressive chapter involvement in budget and policy decisions. He argues the National Legacy Fund lacks specificity and that the national structure prioritizes fundraising over building membership, unlike other organizations that aggressively pursue membership participation.
• Requests Donations to Seniors in Health Care Home, by Yo Kasai, page 6. A letter writer from San Leandro appeals for financial and moral support for the ‘families of Cypress House,’ who are fighting to keep the elderly care home operating as an exempt facility to avoid evicting 12 frail elderly residents. The writer shares personal motivation from watching her own parents’ difficult final days and urges donations to Eden JACL earmarked for the Cypress House Families.
• Here Are More Ideas to Deal with Immigrants, by John Lilipopp Jr., page 6. A satirical letter to the editor mocks California Gov. Pete Wilson’s proposal for dealing with illegal immigrants, suggesting absurd extensions like retroactive citizenship denial and genealogical tracing of Hispanic surnames. The writer sarcastically extends the logic to suggest the same treatment could be applied to Asians, Jews, gays, lesbians, Blacks, and the disabled to improve unemployment or Wilson’s poll numbers.

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