Vol. 128, No. 13, June 18, 1999. 8 pages. View this issue
Allegations of stolen nuclear secrets at Los Alamos led the front page. Energy Secretary Bill Richardson said on June 9 that he had turned over an internal review, and he wanted the matter handled with care because careers were at stake. A second Associated Press story covered the delay in the espionage review and the congressional testimony that was expected. On page 5, Bob Sakaniwa and Pete Hironaka each wrote in to object to a June 4 cartoon in the paper, arguing that it relied on racial stereotypes and did not belong in a JACL publication.
The JACL page announced that Betani Kittaka, a music teacher with 28 years in the classroom who spent part of her childhood at Heart Mountain, would be inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame. The arts pages previewed a Chicago festival at Navy Pier and a documentary on Asian communities in Alaska. Page 8 reported on the first Cherry Blossom Freedom Walk in Washington, D.C.
What’s in this issue
National
- Energy Secretary Richardson Turns Over Investigation Amid Espionage Allegations, by Associated Press, page 1. Energy Secretary Bill Richardson announced on June 9 that he turned over an internal review related to alleged theft of nuclear secrets from Los Alamos National Laboratory. Richardson emphasized wanting a careful investigation given the high stakes and careers involved, and the matter was expected to be discussed in congressional testimony.
- Espionage Investigation Delayed, by Associated Press, page 1. Further details emerged about the delayed espionage review connected to nuclear secrets allegedly stolen from Los Alamos. Officials including those tied to Trulock’s $10,000 Energy Department matter were mentioned as testimony before Congress was anticipated.
- Korean Students Make Up Growing Share of Freshman Class, page 3. A report noted that overseas students, including a significant Korean population, now make up 29 percent of an entering freshman class, an increase from previous years. The item referenced ties to the Korean consulate and a Korean association.
Community
- Asian-Owned Businesses Flourish in Minnesota, page 3. Asian-owned businesses are growing in Minnesota, contributing to a rising Asian presence in the state. Business leaders noted that companies which appeal broadly to the general population beyond just the Asian community tend to succeed.
- Inaugural Cherry Blossom Freedom Walk Hailed, page 8. The inaugural Cherry Blossom Freedom Walk held in Washington, D.C. in April drew about 500 participants from a broad spectrum of ethnic groups and raised $16,350. Organizer Seiko Wakita hailed the event’s success as a community fundraising milestone.
JACL
- Betani Kittaka to Be Inducted in National Teachers Hall of Fame, page 5. Educator Betani Kittaka, a music teacher with 28 years of classroom experience, will be inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame alongside educators from several states. Kittaka, who spent part of her childhood in the Heart Mountain, Wyo. internment camp, earned her degrees from Northern Illinois University and Indiana University before her long teaching career in Southwest Allen County schools.
Commentary
- P.C. Cartoon Draws Criticism, by Bob Sakaniwa, page 5. A reader, a former JACL Washington, D.C. representative, expressed concern and disappointment over a cartoon published in the June 4 issue of the Pacific Citizen depicting ‘Chinese Carryouts,’ arguing it relied on offensive racial and ethnic stereotypes. The writer argued JACL has a mission to educate the public about Japanese Americans and Asian Americans and that such cartoons undermine that goal.
- Reader Angered by Racist Cartoon in Pacific Citizen, by Pete Hironaka, page 5. A reader from Albuquerque, N.M. wrote in anger about a June 4 Pacific Citizen cartoon, saying racist cartoons have no place in an official JACL publication. The writer felt the cartoon implied Japanese Americans were distancing themselves from other Asian groups in a derogatory way.
Arts & Entertainment
- ‘New World, New Art: The Asian Artist in America’ Festival Set for Chicago’s Navy Pier, page 6. A festival celebrating Asian American artists across music, dance, film and dialogue will be held August 2-6 at Chicago’s Navy Pier, featuring performers such as Anthony Brown’s Asian American Jazz Orchestra and DJ Shortkut, with hosts Lauren Tom and George Takei. The event, presented by the Center for Asian Arts and Media at Columbia College Chicago, aims to promote cross-cultural understanding and break down stereotypes.
- Documentary ‘How North Is Home: The Asian Alaskan Experience’ Nears Release, page 6. Producer Suhtling Wong of KUAC-TV has completed a documentary exploring the diverse Asian communities across Alaska, from Juneau to Barrow and Ketchikan to Kodiak, based on 1990 Census data showing over 19,000 Asian Americans in the state. Actor Pat Morita narrates the film, which Wong hopes will eventually air nationally on PBS.
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