Redress education funds, a canceled issue and the JACL convention

Vol. 119, No. 3, July 22, 1994. 20 pages. View this issue

Congress approved money for the first time to educate the public about the history and constitutional issues behind the World War II incarceration (often called internment), under the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, as announced by Reps. Norman Mineta and Robert Matsui. The same front page reported that Pacific Citizen had to cancel its July 15 issue after National JACL headquarters failed to transmit funds owed to the paper. Much of the issue looked ahead to the Salt Lake City convention: candidate profiles, budget and salary questions raised by Fred Hirasuna, and workshops on lobbying, health care and hate crimes.

The same-sex marriage resolution passed by the National Board drew a page of columns and letters, with writers on both sides. Bill Hosokawa wrote about the convention as another crossroad, and Bill Marutani about a planned visit to Tule Lake. The notables page included Michi Weglyn’s honorary doctorate.

What’s in this issue

National

• House Approves Money for Redress Education Fund, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Congress approved funding for the first time to educate the public about the history and constitutional issues surrounding the internment of Japanese Americans, as announced by Reps. Norman Mineta and Robert Matsui. The legislation, part of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, requires final review by both chambers and presidential signature, with Sen. Inouye credited for the leadership that secured the funding.
• House Votes Down Proposed D.C. Same-Sex Law, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The House of Representatives overturned a District of Columbia ordinance granting limited recognition to same-sex marriages by a 251-176 vote. Rep. Barney Frank criticized the decision, while the National JACL Board had voted to approve the concept of same-sex marriages in May by a vote of 10-3 with 2 abstentions.
• Acting Administrator Named for Office of Redress Administration, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Deserene H. Worsley has assumed the role of Acting Administrator overseeing the Office of Redress Administration, which has paid out $1.59 billion to 79,343 people under the Civil Liberties Act of 1988. She will also serve as Acting Executive Officer of the Civil Rights Division.

JACL

• PC Forced to Cancel July 15 Issue, by P.C. Staff, page 1. For the second time within a month, National JACL headquarters’ failure to transmit funds owed to Pacific Citizen resulted in suspension of publication. PC apologized for the suspended issue and inconvenience caused, noting the next issue would be dated Aug. 12.
• HQ Reports Reveal National Staff Salary Budget High, Says JACL Member, by Gwen Muranaka, page 1. Fresno Chapter member Fred Hirasuna criticized JACL’s top-heavy staffing expenses as salary costs rose 32.2% from 1990 to 1993, far outpacing membership revenue growth. The article details JACL’s financial reports showing deficits beginning in 1993, with salary costs reaching 110% of membership revenue in the 1994 budget.
• Mormon Choir to Sing ‘JACL Hymn’, by Shake Ushio, page 2. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir will perform the ‘JACL Hymn,’ with lyrics by Marion ‘Guyo’ Tajiri, during its live Aug. 7 broadcast as a special treat for convention attendees in Salt Lake City. The JACL Convention board arranged for 400 free seats on a first-come basis for the historic broadcast.
• Candidate Profile: Michael A. Sawamura for JACL National President, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Sawamura, a Sacramento attorney and JACL member since 1989, outlines his priorities of building solidarity, controlling JACL’s future, and creating a ‘lean, mean, fighting machine’ organization. He emphasizes cost-efficiency and enhanced communication to resolve the deficit without drastic staff or program cuts.
• Candidate Profile: Neal Taniguchi for Vice President of Membership Services, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Taniguchi, running unopposed, lists JACL priorities including a 5% membership increase, public education, health care reform advocacy, and anti-Asian violence prevention programs. He proposes freezing payroll costs and an aggressive membership campaign to address the deficit rather than relying solely on dues increases.
• Candidate Profile: Denny Yasuhara for JACL National President, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Yasuhara, a longtime Spokane JACL leader, says JACL’s top priority must be addressing internal turmoil and divisions before pursuing other goals. He argues that budgetary decisions must be based on realistic income projections rather than uncertain fundraising, and that greater accountability to membership is needed.
• For ’95-’96, JACL Seeks Dues Increase, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The National Board’s proposed 1995-1996 budget seeks dues increases across membership categories to offset rising expenditures, expected to generate $60,000 in 1995 and $84,000 in 1996. Even with the increase, projected salary costs would still exceed membership revenue in both years of the biennium.
• From ’90-’93, PC Salary Costs Up Less Than 1%, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Pacific Citizen salary costs remained virtually unchanged from 1990 to 1993, rising less than one percent, while mailing costs increased 20.7% due to rising postal rates. The paper’s primary revenue sources are JACL subscription money, non-member subscriptions, and advertising.
• Salaries: National Staff Costs Questioned by Hirasuna, by Gwen Muranaka, page 5. Fred Hirasuna questioned JACL’s staffing levels as too high, criticizing the concept of a large National staff and calling for cuts at the upcoming convention. The 1995-96 biennial budget shows JACL employs 20 staff total including 11 at San Francisco headquarters plus regional directors and secretaries.
• Deficit: Fundraisers and National Expenditures Examined, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The article examines factors behind JACL’s 1993 deficit including a shortfall in individual membership dues, a failed fundraiser tied to Dennis Hayashi, and overbudget National expenditures totaling $44,537. National President Lillian Kimura and Secretary/Treasurer Jonathan Kaji addressed the deficit at a May 22 National Board meeting without providing specifics on resolution.
• Candidate Profile: Jonathan Kaji for JACL Secretary/Treasurer, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Kaji, running unopposed for re-election, defends JACL’s financial health despite the deficit, attributing it to broader economic trends affecting nonprofits nationally. He proposes having board members raise $5,000 annually each and increasing membership dues, while promoting leadership development programs like a proposed Tokyo Leadership program.
• Candidate Profile: Trisha S. Murakawa for Vice President of Planning and Development, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Murakawa outlines strategies to resolve JACL’s deficit including major fundraising events, donation programs like living trusts, and hiring outside consultants to evaluate the budget. She also proposes membership benefit packages, JACL-branded merchandise, and grassroots recruitment parties to boost membership.
• Saiki to Run for Public Affairs Post, by P.C. Staff, page 10. Barry Saiki, past president of the Stockton JACL Chapter, announced he will seek the nomination for JACL national vice president of public affairs, a post that had been vacant for lack of a nominee. Saiki previously served as charter president of the Japan Chapter and had a 20-year public relations career in Tokyo.
• Convention: Nominations, Hotel, and Logistics Notes, by P.C. Staff, page 12. Floor nominations for National Offices must be submitted prior to the opening business session, requiring signatures from a majority of chapters in the candidate’s district. Pre-registration filled the entire JACL hotel block at the Salt Lake Marriott, and the convention tennis tournament was cancelled for lack of participants.
• Fine Points of Lobbying to Be Honed at Convention Workshop, by P.C. Staff, page 12. A convention workshop on lobbying techniques will feature panelists including JACL Washington representative Karen Narasaki and California State Sen. Pat Johnston. Convention chair Floyd Mori called the panel a chance to demystify the legislative process for attendees.
• Health Care Issues to Air Impact on JACL, by P.C. Staff, page 12. The JACL Task Force on Health Care Issues will host a convention workshop focusing on Clinton’s health care reform and its impact on the Nikkei community. Panelists include Eileen Namba Otsuji, Grayce Uyehara, Karen Narasaki, and Clay Harada.
• Fukushima Headliner for U.S.-Japan Forum, by P.C. Staff, page 12. Glen S. Fukushima, whose paper on U.S.-Japan relations reportedly influenced President Clinton and contributed to the breakdown of a February 1994 summit, will headline a convention workshop panel. Other panelists include Jonathan Kaji, Edwin M. Reingold of Time Magazine, and Sheridan Tatsuno of Dreamscape Productions.
• Salt Lake Convention Organizer Ray Uno Honored by Alma Mater, by P.C. Staff, page 13. Retired District Judge Raymond S. Uno was awarded an honorary doctorate in humanities from Weber State University for his leadership in judicial, legal, civil rights and academic circles. Uno, who served as National JACL president from 1970-72, was interned at Heart Mountain as a child where his father died.
• Children to Address JACL Convention on Peace Project, by P.C. Staff, page 13. Young members of a Children’s Peace Committee from New Mexico will address convention delegates about a Children’s Peace Statue to be unveiled in Los Alamos in 1995, inspired by Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial Park monument. The dedication is planned for Aug. 6, 1995, the 50th anniversary of the atomic bombings.
• Anti-Asian Hate Crimes Getting Worse, by P.C. Staff, page 13. A convention workshop will address the continuing and worsening issue of anti-Asian hate crimes, featuring panelists from anti-bias police units in Boston and Baltimore. Panelists include William Johnson, Lt. Donald Robyu, and JACL Washington representative Karen Narasaki.

Incarceration & Redress

• Restoration Team to Study Manzanar, by P.C. Staff, page 5. A National Park Service team is studying restoration options for Manzanar, including the auditorium currently used as a county vehicle maintenance building and the police posts and sentry stations. Turn lanes on the highway near the site were also recently built to provide safer access to Manzanar.
• Reflections on Teaching the Japanese American Experience, by Mace Ishida, page 10. Educator Mace Ishida reflects on attending JACL’s Education Seminar, describing how keynote speaker Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston’s probing questions about the internment resonated deeply. He emphasizes that the Japanese American story is fundamentally an American story about democracy’s failures that must be taught to prevent future constitutional violations.

Community

• JACL National Education Seminar: A Learning and Growing Experience, by Teresa Maebori, page 9. The JACL Education Committee’s seminar ‘Teaching the Japanese American Experience’ drew about 40 participants to San Francisco to share strategies for using JACL’s curriculum guide in classrooms nationwide. Keynote speaker Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston and panelists including Mary Tsukamoto and Dr. Leland Yee shared their experiences educating students about the internment.
• Notables: Reischauer Named Nisei Week Grand Marshal, by P.C. Staff, page 11. Haru Matsukata Reischauer became the first lady to serve as Nisei Week parade grand marshal, honored for the Aug. 7 parade in Little Tokyo. The Japan-born author and widow of Ambassador Edwin O. Reischauer wrote ‘Samurai and Silk,’ a biography of her grandfathers, and recently had her life story televised in Japan.
• Notables: Munechika Appointed NASA Ames Director, by P.C. Staff, page 11. Dr. Ken Munechika, a retired Air Force colonel, was appointed director of NASA Ames Research Center in Mountain View, where he has been reorganizing the center since January. He was previously instrumental in naming the Sunnyvale Air Force Base after his friend, astronaut Ellison Onizuka.
• Notables: Yasuhara Receives Japanese Order of the Sacred Treasure, by P.C. Staff, page 11. Denny Tetsuki Yasuhara, longtime Spokane community leader, was conferred the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold & Silver Rays, by Seattle Japanese Consul General Masaki Saito for his work improving U.S.-Japan relations and leadership in JACL. Yasuhara credited the support of JACL and the Nikkei community for enabling the work that led to the honor.
• Notables: Various Community Achievements Roundup, by P.C. Staff, page 11. This roundup covers achievements including Cal Poly Pomona President Bob Suzuki’s induction into Sigma Pi Sigma, Lisa Kobayashi’s appointment as interim executive director of Yu-Ai Kai, and Judge Ernest Hiroshige receiving the UCLA Alumni Award for Excellence in Community Service. Also featured are sailplane pilot Kempton Izuno’s record flight and photographer Brett Akagi’s award recognition.
• Notables: Business and Health Achievements, by P.C. Staff, page 11. Peggy Kono joined Dailey and Associates as senior vice president, while Lloyd Miyao was honored as Hitachi’s longest-serving U.S. employee with 25 years of service. Sherry Hirota of Asian Health Services was awarded $100,000 by the Robert Wood Johnson Community Health Leadership Program for her work bringing quality health care to Oakland’s Asian American community.

Commentary

• A New Criteria for Analyzing Books on Asian Americans, by Florence Hongo, page 9. AACP’s Florence Hongo presents guidelines for librarians and teachers to evaluate books about Asian Americans, warning against stereotypical depictions and the ‘model minority’ framing. The criteria emphasize portraying Asian Americans as bicultural and part of America’s multicultural fabric rather than exotic or foreign.
• Another Major Crossroad, by Bill Hosokawa, page 16. Hosokawa reflects on JACL’s history of turning-point conventions and argues the upcoming Salt Lake City convention represents another critical juncture given the organization’s disarray and PC’s suspended publication. He questions what faction will gain control of JACL amid disputes over Pacific Citizen’s independence, the budget, and staff influence on policy.
• Castle Rock: 1994, by Bill Marutani, page 16. Marutani recounts his plan to fulfill a personal promise to visit the Tule Lake internment camp site as part of an August pilgrimage organized by a California group. He reflects on his departure from Tule Lake in 1942 to attend college and anticipates finding little remaining except the landmark ‘Castle Rock’ hill.
• Civil Rights Group Supports Board Vote on Same-Sex Marriage, by Gilbert R. Gregor, page 16. The Intergroup Clearinghouse commends the National JACL Board’s decision to support same-sex marriage rights, framing it as a civil and human rights issue rather than a moral one. The letter emphasizes solidarity between different types of oppression and looks forward to continued collaboration with JACL.
• Same Sex: Issue Is Morality Not Civil Rights, by P.C. Staff, page 16. A letter argues that the same-sex marriage debate is fundamentally different from historical interracial marriage bans, framing homosexuality as a morality issue rather than a civil rights matter. The writer contends this issue falls beyond JACL’s proper scope.
• An Alternative to the Same-Sex Issue, by Peggy Sasashima Liggett, page 17. Liggett criticizes the National Board for bypassing legal counsel’s advice and proper deliberative process in endorsing same-sex marriage, arguing a Domestic Partners Act would have been a better alternative addressing broader constituencies. She notes the resulting divisions within JACL and predictable membership losses from the controversial decision.
• The Rules Are the Rules, by Karl K. Nobuyuki, page 17. Nobuyuki argues that JACL’s Constitution and Bylaws are sound but have been manipulated by individuals for personal gain, citing credentialing irregularities and rule violations at past conventions. He questions the National Budget presentation process and the transfer of youth voting rights to JACS members without proper authority.
• The Challenge of Health Care Facing JACL, by Frank Iritani, page 17. Iritani examines JACL’s health care reform principles report, discussing goals of universal coverage, preventative care, and cost containment amid competing special interest pressures. He cites statistics on uninsured Asian Pacific Islanders and references speeches by Hillary Clinton and California Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi on reform needs.
• Letters: Reader Responses on Same-Sex Marriage and JACL Governance, by Various, page 18. Multiple letters address the JACL National Board’s same-sex marriage resolution, with writers expressing both support and strong opposition based on religious and traditional family values. Additional letters address NCWNP district voting procedures and calls for more collaborative, less combative approaches to divisive issues.

In-Depth

• Session: Supplemental Materials Workshop Explores Stereotypes in Media, by P.C. Staff, page 10. A workshop session at the JACL education seminar examined stereotypical portrayals of Asian Americans in books and videos, featuring presentations from Florence Hongo, Elisa Kamimoto of the Japanese American National Museum, and Jean Ishibashi of the National Japanese American Historical Society. Kamimoto shared a troubling classroom incident where students failed to recognize Japanese Americans in historic home movies as fellow Americans.

Military & Veterans

• Notables: Sakakida Honored by Philippine Government, by P.C. Staff, page 11. Lt. Col. Richard M. Sakakida was awarded the Philippine Presidential Legion of Honor for his service as a U.S. undercover counter-intelligence agent from 1941-1945. He and nine other MIS Nisei veterans also received the Philippine Liberation Medal, with a documentary video ‘Mission to Manila’ released detailing his capture, torture, and eventual work with Filipino guerrillas.

Arts & Entertainment

• Notables: Michi Weglyn Receives Honorary Doctorate, by P.C. Staff, page 11. Michi Nishiura Weglyn was conferred an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Mount Holyoke College, which praised her research uncovering the truth about Japanese American internment. Weglyn, a former theatrical costume designer, authored ‘Years of Infamy,’ described as a cornerstone work for modern historians.

Thank you for exploring the Pacific Citizen archive. The title, introduction and contents on this page were written by an AI model from scans of the printed issue, so they may contain mistakes. If you spot one, we would be grateful if you let us know.