February 1994: JACL National Board meeting and a shooting in Palos Verdes

Vol. 118, No. 7, February 25, 1994. 8 pages. View this issue

The JACL National Board meeting of Feb. 12 and 13 filled most of the front page. The board created a constitutional review committee, endorsed the Bias Crimes Compensation Act and the Native American Free Exercise of Religion Act, and affirmed support for gay and lesbian rights in the Pacific Northwest. Gwen Muranaka reported on the civil rights agenda, Hiroshi Uyehara gave an update on the Legacy Fund, and Floyd Mori outlined plans for the Aug. 2-8 national convention in Salt Lake, including a Topaz Pilgrimage. The news was not all organizational: David Fukuto, 32, shot and killed two Palos Verdes Estates police officers on Feb. 14, and his father, Justice Morio Fukuto, condemned the attack.

Elsewhere, Lon Hatamiya was named to lead the federal Agricultural Marketing Service, and Trisha Murakawa became president of the ACLU Southern California board. Karen Narasaki’s issues report included a redress update on checks paid. Columns by Bill Hosokawa and Bill Marutani appear on page 6, and readers wrote in about the Pacific Citizen itself.

What’s in this issue

National

• JA Killed After Shooting Two Police Officers, page 1. David Fukuto, 32, son of District Court of Appeal Justice Morio Fukuto, shot and killed two Palos Verdes Estates police officers during an apparent robbery attempt at a Torrance Holiday Inn seminar before dying in the ensuing struggle. Justice Fukuto condemned his son’s actions and offered condolences to the officers’ families.
• Lon Hatamiya New Director of Federal Agriculture Agency, page 1. Lon Hatamiya, a Sansei from Marysville, Calif., was named administrator of the federal Agricultural Marketing Service under the Department of Agriculture, pledging to be responsive to industry and supportive of the Clinton administration’s approach. He previously managed his family’s produce operations and worked at Proctor & Gamble, Sony Corp., and a national law firm before founding an agri-business consulting firm.
• National Issues Reported on by Washington Rep, page 1. Karen Narasaki, JACL Washington representative, updated the board on health care reform, noting the JACL health care task force is reviewing the Clinton health care plan alongside analyses from AARP and other groups. The task force was scheduled to meet March 12 in San Francisco.
• Honolulu Council Supports Move to Change ‘Jap Road’, page 3. The Honolulu City Council unanimously approved a resolution asking Jefferson County, Texas officials to rename ‘Jap Road’ to something non-offensive, with Council Vice Chairman Andy Mirikitani calling it a national issue amid rising hate crimes. The Honolulu Chapter, JACL testified in support, and the resolution was sent to Texas officials including Gov. Ann Richards.

JACL

• National Board Meeting to Review Constitution, page 1. The JACL National Board approved creation of a constitutional review committee on Feb. 13, with members including Mike Sawamura, Kim Nakahara, Cherry Kinoshita and others. National President Lillian Kimura said the committee differs from the reorganization committee and aims to clarify vague language in the JACL constitution and bylaws.
• February Civil Rights Agenda: Board Deals with Gay Rights in PNW Region, Hate Crimes Compensation Act, Native American Religious Rites, by Gwen Muranaka, page 1. The JACL National Board affirmed support for gay and lesbian rights in the Pacific Northwest, opposing anti-gay initiatives from the Oregon Citizens Alliance and Citizens Alliance of Washington while endorsing the Hands Off Washington campaign and a state bill adding sexual orientation to anti-discrimination protections. The board also increased the PNW district allocation from $7,500 to $10,000 due to growing Asian Pacific Islander population and organizing needs.
• Uyehara Updates Legacy Fund, Calls for ‘Focus on Goals’, page 1. Legacy Fund Campaign Committee chair Hiroshi Uyehara reported the fund reached $4,390,533 as of Dec. 31, 1993, with $165,817.04 in earnings for the year despite lower investment returns. Uyehara urged the board to remain focused on both fundraising and spending goals as the campaign continues.
• Convention Plans Firming Up, page 1. Floyd Mori, chair of the Salt Lake convention committee, announced the Aug. 2-8 national JACL convention package will cost $135 and include the Sayonara ball, Western Barbecue, awards luncheon and other events. Highlights include workshops on topics like hate crimes and gay/lesbian issues, an Old Timers luncheon, and a Topaz Pilgrimage.
• Plan: Make HQ Accessible for Disabled, page 1. A task force was created at the Feb. 12 National Board meeting to recommend changes making JACL headquarters more accessible to disabled people, including elevator upgrades with Braille signals, accessible bathrooms, and lowered call boxes. Consultant Alan Ohashi presented the report estimating costs at roughly $80,000.
• Crime Compensation Act Endorsed by Board, page 1. The National Board endorsed the Bias Crimes Compensation Act, which would give hate crime victims a private right of action to seek punitive damages and a minimum of $100,000 in damages. Karen Narasaki explained the bill would let victims bypass slow state criminal prosecutions and benefit from a lower standard of proof in civil actions.
• Native American Rites Supported by Board, page 1. The National Board unanimously endorsed S. 1021, the Native American Free Exercise of Religion Act, sponsored by Sen. Daniel Inouye to protect Native American use of peyote and eagle feathers for religious purposes and to protect sacred sites. National President Lillian Kimura said Native Americans feel this is part of their being.
• Convention Voting to Be Done in Polling Places, page 5. New nominations guidelines approved at the Feb. 12 National Board meeting establish that voting for JACL officers at the 1994 convention will occur in designated polling places to avoid confusion like that at the 1992 convention. Neal Taniguchi also reported the board approved allowing the National Youth Council to bring forward resolutions and noted ongoing personnel searches and convention planning with the San Jose Chapter.

Community

• Murakawa Named Local ACLU Board President, page 3. Trisha S. Murakawa, 29, a five-year ACLU Southern California board member and national JACL vice president for planning and development, was elected president of the ACLU Southern California board of directors. Executive director Ramona Ripston praised her dedication to civil liberties and diverse causes.

Military & Veterans

• Yamashita to Be Commissioned, page 3. Bill Kaneko, JACL vice president for public affairs, updated the National Board on Bruce Yamashita’s successful lawsuit against the Marine Corps for discriminatory disenrollment, culminating in a special commissioning ceremony planned for March. Kaneko noted the case prompted the Marine Corps to revise procedures and heighten Affirmative Action awareness, though Yamashita is still pursuing back-pay.

Commentary

• On Naming Names, by Bill Hosokawa, page 6. Bill Hosokawa reflects on the practice of using simplified names like ‘Bill H’ at casual restaurants versus using his full name Hosokawa in formal dining settings, pondering whether this constitutes a denial of heritage. He concludes that while his own name isn’t too difficult, he wonders how people with more unusual names navigate similar situations in American society.
• The Nikkei Monument, by Bill Marutani, page 6. Bill Marutani describes the Nikkei monument authorized by Congress to honor Japanese American WWII patriotism, sponsored by Congressman Norman Mineta and Senator Daniel Inouye, to be established by the Go For Broke National Veterans Association Foundation. The article details the separate GFB/NVA veterans organization’s broad membership and the ongoing site selection process in Washington, D.C.
• Disagrees with Columnist’s View of Multiculturalism, by Allan Beekman, page 6. Allan Beekman writes a letter criticizing Mei Nakano’s article on multiculturalism, arguing that identifying as Japanese American stigmatizes individuals and damages Japan-American relations. He cites the Bruce Yamashita case as an example of backlash and calls for JACL to change its name to the Nikkei Citizens League.
• Found National Youth Event Inspirational, by Wayne S. Nagata, page 6. Wayne Nagata describes attending the National JACL Youth Conference in San Francisco and being inspired by Bruce Yamashita’s account of fighting to regain his Marine Corps officer’s commission. He thanks the National Youth Council and staff for organizing the event and expresses gratitude for the opportunity to attend.
• A Visit to the PC Office, by Karl Nobuyuki, page 7. Karl Nobuyuki recounts visiting the Pacific Citizen’s new offices and meeting staff members Richard Suenaga, Gwen Muranaka, Ardy and Joyce during a hectic deadline day. He praises the organized, functional layout and the staff’s professionalism, concluding that the publication is in good hands.
• Let’s Not Divide the House, Reader Says, by Mack, page 7. A reader from Pasadena discusses former PC Chair Paul Shinkawa’s ouster amid JACL leadership disputes and urges unity rather than a divisive civil war within the organization. The letter calls for dynamic leaders to run for JACL presidency while preserving the Pacific Citizen as the organization’s house organ.

Incarceration & Redress

• Redress Update, by Karen Narasaki, page 7. As part of a broader issues report, Karen Narasaki updated that as of Feb. 10, 79,134 individuals have received redress checks, with 40 more found eligible awaiting payment and 270 in various stages of processing, while 1,799 cases were found ineligible. She also discussed meetings with James Turner and Paul Suddes regarding redress administration.

Obituaries

• Arakawa, Iris, page 8. Iris Arakawa, 32, a Maui-born legislative aide to Rep. Patsy Mink since July 1992 and formerly with the public defender’s office in Honolulu, died Dec. 9 in Washington, D.C. after hurling herself in front of an oncoming Metro train at the Capitol South station.
• Kojaku, Masatoshi, page 8. Masatoshi Kojaku, 86, of Gardena died Dec. 18 in an auto accident; the Davis-born Issei was survived by sons James and Edward, daughter Hatsuko Crocker, four grandchildren, brothers George and Jun, and sister Miye Shiomichi.
• Kono, Sam S., page 8. Sam S. Kono, a Wakayama-born Issei pioneer nurseryman, worked with MGM Studios before the war and did landscaping for Greta Garbo, later establishing Yosemite Nursery in Fresno and retiring in 1978. He died Dec. 3 in Fresno and was survived by daughters Louise Takemoto, June Urabe, Grace, and Dianne Jablon, along with 10 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

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