Vol. 119, No. 2, July 8, 1994. 8 pages. View this issue
Jerry Enomoto’s confirmation as U.S. Marshal of the Eastern District of California led the issue. The full Senate approved him June 23, and he started July 5. Pacific Citizen also reported on Sacramento groups pressing for tough action in the 1993 firebombing cases, and ran an extensive review of JACL news from 1992 to 1994, ahead of the national convention in Salt Lake City.
Much of the commentary turned on JACL’s own troubles. Bill Hosokawa wrote about the paper’s editorial independence and funding, and Paul M. Shinkawa listed questions delegates should ask candidates. Letters from readers disagreed sharply over the same-sex marriage decision, and Barry Saiki defended JACL’s wartime leadership. Mei Nakano continued her walk through Locke, California. Page 8 carried the rest of the Enomoto story and obituaries.
What’s in this issue
National
- Enomoto Confirmed as U.S. Marshal, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Jerry Enomoto, the 1994 JA of the biennium, was confirmed by the full U.S. Senate as U.S. Marshal of the Eastern District of California, starting his new position July 5. He is the first Japanese American to hold the position outside Hawaii or Guam and previously served as director of the Department of Corrections and JACL national president from 1966-1970.
- Sacramento Groups Seek Tough Action in Firebombing Cases, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Sacramento community members and civil rights representatives planned to attend the trial of a defendant accused of the 1993 firebombings of a synagogue, NAACP, JACL chapter, a city councilman’s home, and a state facility. Community groups called for sanctions, strict prosecution, hate crimes enhancements, a diverse jury, and tough penalties against the perpetrators.
JACL
- The JACL Biennium in Review: 1992-94, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Pacific Citizen presents an extensive chronological review of major JACL and Japanese American news events from August 1992 through June 1994, ahead of the national convention in Salt Lake City. Topics include Lillian Kimura’s election as first woman JACL president, redress payments, the Rising Sun film controversy, firebombings in Sacramento, PC funding disputes, and the same-sex marriage debate within JACL.
Commentary
- Will They Fix or Break PC?, by Bill Hosokawa, page 5. Hosokawa discusses the ongoing controversy over Pacific Citizen’s editorial independence and funding, including the firing of former board chairman Paul Shinkawa and the suspension of publication due to lack of funds from JACL headquarters. He criticizes PSW district council resolutions that would impose layers of oversight and control over PC’s editorial content.
- A Walk Through History—Part 2, by Mei Nakano, page 5. Nakano recounts a visit to Locke, California, guided by Ping Lee, exploring the history of Chinese immigrants who built the town after being driven out of Walnut Grove. The piece details the discrimination Chinese immigrants faced, the founding of Locke by Lee Bing, and the town’s decline over decades.
- Letters to the Editor, by Al Aida, page 5. A past MDC Governor from Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, expresses embarrassment over sharing Pacific Citizen’s internal conflicts with non-JACL members and questions whether the paper should focus on broader Nikkei issues. He calls for JACL leadership to unite the organization rather than pursue divisive agendas ahead of the National Convention.
- Ask Questions, Ask for Leadership, by Paul M. Shinkawa, page 6. Shinkawa argues that JACL faces a fiscal crisis and divisive leadership as it approaches its national convention, urging delegates to ask candidates pointed questions about priorities, budget, and the Pacific Citizen’s editorial independence. He lists quindecim questions delegates should pose to national officer candidates before voting.
- The Hindsight Critics of JACL’s Wartime Leadership, by Barry Saiki, page 6. Saiki responds to criticism of Paul Ito’s claims about JACL’s wartime leadership, defending Mike Masaoka and JACL’s actions during WWII given the era’s constraints and lack of established organizational structure. He argues that modern critics unfairly judge decisions made under extreme wartime pressure without understanding the historical context.
- Disagreement on Views of Same-Sex Issue, by Wat Odoc, page 6. A Purple Heart veteran and longtime JACL member defends himself against accusations of opposing civil rights, disagreeing with the JACL’s support for same-sex marriage as a civil rights priority. He questions whether the national convention can survive leadership that puts what he considers an ACLU agenda above Japanese American concerns.
- Full Support for Board’s Same-Sex Marriage Decision, page 6. A Berkeley Chapter member writes in full support of JACL’s decision to endorse same-sex marriage and the departure of legal counsel Allen Kato over the issue. The writer argues that opposition to the measure echoes discriminatory rhetoric used against Japanese Americans during WWII.
- Same-Sex Is a Moral Issue, Reader Says, page 6. A Nisei reader argues that JACL’s endorsement of same-sex marriage represents an abdication of moral leadership, citing Christian scripture to argue that civil rights should not take precedence over moral values. The writer expresses fear for the future and survival of JACL as an effective political body due to this divisive stance.
Military & Veterans
- Marshal, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Continuing coverage of Jerry Enomoto’s confirmation as U.S. Marshal details his jurisdiction covering 34 counties and responsibilities including securing federal courthouses and the Federal Witness Protection Program. Enomoto was officially commissioned by President Clinton and will attend orientation training in Georgia.
Obituaries
- Frank A. Titus, Dayton JACL Past President, page 8. Frank A. Titus of Dayton, a former JACL chapter president and serving chapter secretary at the time of his death, passed away April 12. He was a retired USAF major, founder of Titus Packaging Co., and a United Methodist pastor, survived by his wife Addie and several children.
- Peter N. Kawakami, Realty President, page 8. Peter N. Kawakami, 65, of Oakland died April 5 while golfing in Monterey. Born in Redondo Beach, he was president of Nakamura Realty and is survived by his wife Elaine and children.
- Toshiko Kataoka, Hotel and Travel Operator, page 8. Toshiko Kataoka, 79, of San Francisco died March 28. She operated the Aki Hotel established by her father and Aki Travel Service, and was recognized by the Japanese Ministry of Transportation in 1967 for promoting the travel industry.
- Rev. Kiyoshi Noji, Minister Emeritus, page 8. Rev. Kiyoshi Noji, 95, of Seattle died March 21. He was minister emeritus of the Japanese Presbyterian Church and is survived by his wife Yone.
- Mitsuno Okamoto, Last Issei Church Member, page 8. Mitsuno Okamoto, 94, of Chicago died Dec. 18. She was the last Issei member of the Japanese Episcopal Church of Chicago, born in Fukuoka, and is survived by several children and grandchildren.
- Steve K. Omi, Gymnast and Researcher, page 8. Steve K. Omi, 36, of Denver died March 21. He was a Berkeley-born gymnast honored as Oliver’s Club Outstanding Athlete, held a UC Berkeley Phi Beta Kappa degree and an Oregon State doctorate, and established research at a USDA Forestry Service nursery.
- Mari and Dr. Ken Miyasaki, Auto Accident Victims, page 8. Mari Miyasaki, 77, and Dr. Ken Miyasaki, 40, both of Los Angeles died in an auto accident on Highway 41 between Kettleman City and Paso Robles in April. Mari was a Fresno-born retired school teacher survived by her husband Joe and other family members.
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