Vol. 121, No. 2, July 21, 1995. 16 pages. View this issue
JACL’s role in the national debate over affirmative action led this issue. President Denny Yasuhara joined about 20 representatives of minority groups and women at a July 14 White House conference with President Clinton, Leon Panetta and George Stephanopoulos. Another front-page story covered JACL’s call to keep affirmative action in California education. Much of the rest of the front page came from the fifth bi-district conference of the Pacific Northwest and Intermountain districts in Boise, Idaho, where chapters set membership goals and Yasuhara urged renewals and new members. Gwen Muranaka reported on the recruitment discussion.
Also inside: Harry K. Honda reported on the Pan American Nikkei Association convention in Lima, where Peru’s President Alberto Fujimori spoke. Other pages followed the Congressional investigation after Capt. Jim Wang’s acquittal, the dedication of the Topaz Museum in Delta, Utah, and an education workshop planned by the Seattle Chapter. Bill Hosokawa wrote about Judge Lance Ito, and Bill Marutani offered a humorous column on the English language.
What’s in this issue
National
- JACL National President Meets With Clinton on Affirmative Action, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL President Denny Yasuhara and about 20 representatives of minority groups and women met with President Clinton, Leon Panetta and George Stephanopoulos to discuss affirmative action. Yasuhara represented Asian Pacific American concerns alongside Michael Lin of the Organization of Chinese Americans.
- JACL Message: Keep Affirmative Action in California Education, by P.C. Staff, page 1. As the University of California Board of Regents prepared to decide on affirmative action admissions policies, JACL called such policies necessary to maintain a level playing field. Denny Yasuhara criticized Gov. Pete Wilson’s push to eliminate race and gender-based preferences in UC admissions ahead of Wilson’s presidential campaign.
- After Wang Acquittal, Investigation of ‘Friendly Fire’ Incident Launched, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Following Capt. Jim Wang’s acquittal, Congress launched an investigation into the April 1994 friendly fire incident in Iraq that killed 26 people when U.S. fighters shot down two Army helicopters. Rep. Robert Matsui initiated the Congressional hearing request, and Wang said he would assist to prevent future similar tragedies.
- OCA Supports Investigation, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Organization of Chinese Americans expressed support for the Congressional investigation into the friendly fire incident that led to Capt. Jim Wang’s court-martial. OCA officials said the Asian American community remains concerned about both the scapegoating of Wang and holding the military accountable.
JACL
- Pacific Northwest, Intermountain Districts Hold 5th Bi-District Conference, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL members from the Pacific Northwest and Intermountain districts gathered July 7-8, 1995, in Boise, Idaho for their fifth bi-district conference, mixing business sessions with social events. About 60 attended the event organized by Boise Valley Chapter members Ed Hirahara and Seichi Hayashida.
- Members Seek New Members, by Gwen Muranaka, page 1. At the IDC-PNW joint session, JACL chapters strategized ways to recruit new members and committed to membership growth goals of 5% to 30%. Discussion touched on why younger generations feel less connected to JACL and what programs attract new members.
- Yasuhara Calls for Renewals, New Members to Avoid Increasing Deficit, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Denny Yasuhara urged JACL chapters and districts at the Boise bi-district meeting to work harder at recruiting and retaining members to prevent future deficits. He said the National Board cannot fix JACL’s finances alone and needs active participation from all members.
- PNWDC Reports, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Pacific Northwest District Governor Terry Yamada covered a wide variety of agenda items at the July 8 bi-district conference, including the naming of Kip Tokuda as interim PNW regional director. Other topics included JACL headquarters staffing, the Washington D.C. representative report, and Legacy Fund Grant Committee updates.
- IDC Reports, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Intermountain District Council discussed key issues including the 1994 convention’s financial results, reported by Floyd Mori as profitable for the Mt. Olympus Chapter. Other topics included support for Karyl Matsumoto as interim national director and educational curriculum efforts by Hero Shiosaki.
- PNW District Council Officers and Committee Reports, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Pacific Northwest District Council covered numerous topics including the naming of Kip Tokuda as interim regional director, support for Karyl Matsumoto as interim national director, and a report on the May National Board meeting. Additional topics included regional elections, an education workshop for teachers, Legacy Fund grants, and Pacific Citizen board changes including Mae Takahashi succeeding Cherry Kinoshita.
- IDC Continued: Topaz Museum Dedication and PC Dues Resolution, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Intermountain District Council discussed a resolution by Bob Endo to support increasing JACL membership dues to return the Pacific Citizen to weekly publication, which was referred back for resubmission. Larry Grant reported on the May 27 dedication of the Topaz Museum in Delta, Utah, which includes a restored barrack and has attracted Japanese media attention.
- James Oshima Named to Blue Shield Board of Trustees, by John Yasumoto, page 7. James Oshima of the Sequoia Chapter, JACL, was appointed to the JACL California Blue Shield Board of Directors due to his fiscal background as a certified public accountant. The board consists entirely of JACL members representing various chapters across California.
Community
- Boise Valley Chapter Helps Korean Beating Victim, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Boise Valley Chapter JACL president Ed Hirahara reported on the November 1994 beating of Korean American graduate student Chong S. Cho in Moscow, Idaho, which broke his leg. The chapter has been assisting Cho with medical costs after he received a lenient sentence for his attacker and struggled to find legal representation.
- Snake River Chapter Video Available, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Snake River Valley Chapter, JACL, is offering a video documenting the chapter’s history and legacy through interviews with Nisei and Sansei members. The chapter also shared results of a membership survey on local and national JACL programs and activities.
- Seattle Plans Education Workshop, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Seattle Chapter JACL Education Committee will present a workshop for teachers on August 16 covering the Japanese American internment experience during World War II. Teresa Maebori, national JACL education chairwoman, will be among the presenters.
- First Uptown Nikkei Reunion Set for Aug. 13, by P.C. Staff, page 7. A reunion for former residents of the Los Angeles Uptown (Uwamachi) Nikkei neighborhood is scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 13 at the Hotel New Otani in Little Tokyo. Out-of-town attendees include several notable community members, with registration details and hotel rates provided.
Incarceration & Redress
- High Bail for Nikkei Is Violation of Civil Rights, Says IDC Chapter, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Troy Shiozawa of Pocatello faced trial for allegedly stabbing his step-daughter, with JACL chapter members concerned that his civil rights were violated due to an unusually high $1 million bail. The Intermountain District and JACL National Board passed motions supporting Shiozawa’s civil rights, citing a prosecutor’s characterization of him based on stereotypes about Japanese men.
In-Depth
- President Fujimori Inaugurates 8th PANA Event, by Harry K. Honda, page 7. Peru President Alberto Fujimori became the first head of state to address the Pan American Nikkei Association (PANA), while Peruvian Nisei Luis T. Sakoda was elected PANA International president, succeeding Carlos Kasuga of Mexico. The convention in Lima featured delegates from numerous countries and discussions on Nikkei community cooperation across the Americas.
Obituaries
- In Memoriam: Kumeo Art Yoshinari, by Harry K. Honda, page 7. Kumeo Art Yoshinari, a JACL member since 1932 and national JACL president from 1964-66, died at his Oceanside, Calif. residence on July 2 at age 82. He helped organize the Chicago Chapter in 1944, founded Junior JACL chapters, and served as national JACL treasurer from 1960-64 during a career as an executive with Turtle Wax.
Commentary
- How About a JACL Call for Ito?, by Bill Hosokawa, page 8. Bill Hosokawa discusses Judge Lance Ito’s prominent and even-handed role presiding over the O.J. Simpson trial, comparing his national visibility to past moments involving Sen. Daniel Inouye and Dr. S.I. Hayakawa. He humorously suggests Ito consider becoming JACL’s executive director given his patience and integrity.
- Irregardless, Recklessly, by Bill Marutani, page 8. Bill Marutani reflects humorously on his lifelong struggles with the English language, from childhood misunderstandings of words like
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