Youth, redress and a Seattle conference: the July 4, 1997 issue

Vol. 124, No. 13, July 4, 1997. 12 pages. View this issue

Young people in JACL were the main subject. Caroline Aoyagi reported from the fourth biennial National Youth/Student Conference at UC Irvine, where Warren Furutani and Russell Kennedy spoke to more than 100 students. Intern Christina A. Nagao wrote about bringing youth into the organization. The front page also covered Seattle’s final plans for the July 18-20 Pacific Northwest and Intermountain conference, and a Senate vote to restore benefits to legal immigrants. Redress news included 8 more CLPEF grants and about 50 Maui evacuees applying under the Civil Liberties Act.

Elsewhere, Michi Weglyn wrote about railroad workers and redress, and Harry K. Honda reported on the Judge John Aiso Street dedication in Little Tokyo and on Senator Inouye and Watergate. Bill Hosokawa and Paul Igasaki contributed columns. Other items covered a Poston reunion, graffiti at the Gila River monument, the Philadelphia chapter’s 50th anniversary and Jr. Olympics results.

What’s in this issue

Community

Final Seattle Touches Underway for PNW-Intermountain Bi-District Confab, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Seattle JACL members are finalizing plans for the July 18-20 Pacific Northwest and Intermountain districts conference, themed ‘Communities Envisioning Tomorrow,’ at the Best Western Southcenter Hotel. The event includes a golf tournament, district meetings, workshops, the Seattle Obon Festival, and a Nihonmachi walking tour, along with a joint Young Adult APIA conference.
JACLer Touted as a Living Legend, by Bob Endo, page 4. Masa Tsukamoto of Blackfoot, Idaho, a founding member of the prewar Pocatello JACL and longtime potato farmer, was honored as a ‘living legend’ during Pride Days-Nostalgia Night ceremonies. He was recognized for decades of contributions to Idaho’s potato industry and for inventions that eased growers’ workloads.
Riverside JACL Honors 6 Scholars, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Riverside JACL awarded six scholarships totaling various amounts to local high school seniors at its potluck dinner held May 18 at the University Club on the UC Riverside campus. Recipients were recognized for academic excellence, leadership, and citizenship.
Philadelphia Chapter Celebrates Its 50th Anniversary, by Grayce Uyehara, page 4. The Philadelphia JACL chapter celebrated its 50th anniversary with a gala dinner at the Sheraton Society Hill, site of the 1998 National JACL Convention, featuring keynote speaker Rep. Chaka Fattah. The event recognized 37 past presidents, founder Hiroshi Uyehara, and installed new chapter officers with National President Helen Kawagoe presiding.
Funeral Practices at AJA Churches, Temples Discussed, by P.C. Staff, page 6. A one-day community program was held in Los Angeles to educate attendees about funeral practices across different faiths within the Japanese American community. The event included a mock Christian funeral led by Rev. Dr. Grant Hagiya and Rev. Mark Nakagawa, followed by discussions with funeral directors.
CCDC-PSW-NCWNP Tri-District Conference Held in Las Vegas, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The CCDC Hospitality Room in Las Vegas served as a gathering place during the tri-district conference featuring workshops and networking among JACL members from multiple districts. Attendees included regional director John Saito and educator Ron Kiyuna, who presented on family communication skills.
Registration Due Aug. 1 for Poston Reunion, by P.C. Staff, page 10. Registration for the Poston Camp I 55th anniversary reunion at the Torrance Marriott, scheduled for Oct. 24-26, is due by Aug. 1. Planned activities include a golf mixer, class luncheons, a Little Tokyo bus tour, and a banquet with live music.

Commentary

Kao Killing Raises Question of Race, by Mei Nakano, page 1. Mei Nakano discusses the fatal police shooting of Kuan Chung Kao in Sonoma County and the community uproar it caused, including calls for a civilian police review board. The author argues that race must remain part of the discussion on police use of excessive force, despite some activists wanting to exclude race from the debate.
By the Board: My Humble Beginnings, by David Kawamoto, page 3. David Kawamoto recalls his selection as a PSW representative to a JACL leadership program in the 1980s despite initially not being chosen, thanks to a benefactor who covered his expenses. He reveals that benefactor was Helen Kawagoe and reflects on her lasting generosity to the organization.
Campaign Finance Reform and Legal Permanent Residents’ Contribution Rights, page 3. The article examines proposed bans on legal permanent residents making political campaign contributions amid campaign finance reform debates, arguing such bans would be an extension of anti-immigrant sentiment. It contends LPRs pay taxes, register for the draft, and should have First Amendment protections for political contributions as a form of speech.
Recruiting Youth into JACL: An Intern’s Perspective, by Christina A. Nagao, page 3. PSWDC summer intern Christina Nagao shares her experience at the JACL Youth Conference at UC Irvine, arguing that Asian American youth are not apathetic but need guidance to get involved. She recommends JACL chapters partner with local college student organizations, invite students to volunteer at events, and include young board members to sustain engagement.
Whither the Nisei’s Commitment to Learning, by Bill Hosokawa, page 5. Bill Hosokawa reflects on the death of Toshio Hoshide, a founding JACL member, and highlights the many JACL chapters nationwide honoring high school graduates with scholarships. He notes the Hoshides’ own philanthropic legacy, including a scholarship at UCLA’s Asian American Studies Center.
Japanese American ‘Civil Rights Voice’ Still Crucial, by Paul Igasaki, page 7. EEOC Vice Chair Paul Igasaki reflects on his career path through JACL leadership roles and argues for the continued importance of JACL as a national civil rights voice for Japanese Americans. He discusses balancing identity, community connections, and the organization’s evolving role amid a changing community landscape.
Fresno Educator Stresses Role of Parents in Raising Assertive Children, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Dr. Ron Kiyuna of CSU Fresno led a workshop at the Tri-District Conference on developing assertiveness and communication skills in children while balancing traditional values like gaman. He emphasized that authoritative parenting produces well-adjusted children who learn more from actions than words.
Confessions of a Shibai Doll, by Akemi Kayleng, page 9. Akemi Kayleng offers a personal essay critiquing how corporations tokenize assimilated minority employees as symbolic diversity ‘heroes’ while offering no real power, using the metaphor of a ‘Shibai Doll.’ The author warns readers against uncritically idolizing minority figureheads and stresses personal responsibility over hero worship.
Count Us In Accurately for Census 2000, by Greg Mayeda, page 9. Greg Mayeda argues that JACL should support a ‘Check One or More’ method for racial identification in the 2000 Census rather than a standalone ‘Multiracial’ box, to ensure accurate counting of Hapas and mixed-race individuals. He contends accurate data is important for both civil rights protections and health-related needs like bone marrow matching.

JACL

Message at Nat’l Youth/Student Conference: JACL Is Your Organization, by Caroline Aoyagi, page 1. More than 100 students attended the fourth biennial National Youth/Student Conference at UC Irvine, where leaders like Hiromi Ueha and Nicole Inouye emphasized JACL’s relevance to young Asian Americans. Speakers Russell Kennedy and Warren Furutani challenged attendees to become community leaders and redefine Japanese American identity for their generation.
Youth Continued: Conference Highlights Leadership and Identity Discussions, by Caroline Aoyagi, page 3. Continuing coverage of the National Youth/Student Conference describes workshops on community involvement, identity, and political empowerment, plus a ‘Generations Rap’ session pairing younger and older JACL members. National Director Herbert Yamanishi and other leaders stressed the importance of cultivating young leaders as fewer Asian Americans hold elected office.
Ishimoto Memorial Scholarship Announced, by P.C. Staff, page 5. National JACL announced the establishment of the Patricia and Gail Ishimoto memorial scholarship, honoring daughters of Harry and Tomoko Ishimoto who died in a 1969 auto accident. Progressive Westside JACL contributed to the National JACL scholarship fund to create the endowment.

National

House and Senate Amendments Restore Some Benefits to Legal Immigrants, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Senate passed amendments restoring Supplemental Security Income benefits to elderly and disabled legal immigrants and Amerasians, while the House approved a more limited version of the balanced budget bill. President Clinton had threatened to veto any bill that didn’t restore such benefits, and a conference committee was scheduled to reconcile the two versions.
Senator Inouye Remembers the Watergate Hearings, by Harry K. Honda, page 5. On the 25th anniversary of the Watergate break-in, Harry Honda recounts Senator Daniel Inouye’s role on the Senate Watergate committee, including his cross-examination of John Dean and the controversy after attorney John Wilson called Inouye ‘that little Jap.’ The article details JACL’s reaction and Inouye’s continued reflections on the historic hearings.
Fujimori and the ‘Hostage Watch’ (3), by P.C. Staff, page 6. This installment continues chronicling the Peruvian hostage crisis at the Japanese Ambassador’s residence in Lima, covering hostage releases, diplomatic negotiations, and international reactions including from Bolivia and Japan’s Prime Minister Hashimoto. The piece also profiles the Japanese Peruvian community’s anxiety during the crisis and efforts to find a peaceful resolution.
Vandals Smashing Family Menorah Spared Time in Jail, by P.C. Staff, page 11. Three teenage vandals who smashed a Jewish family’s Menorah in Pennsylvania were sentenced to watch Schindler’s List and write an essay on anti-Semitism instead of jail time. The incident had prompted neighbors to display Menorahs in solidarity with the victim’s family.
U.S. Naturalized 180,000 Without Criminal Check, by EM, page 11. The Immigration and Naturalization Service faced congressional criticism for failing to complete background checks on about 180,000 naturalized citizens last year. The agency is now moving to strip citizenship from nearly 5,000 people wrongly naturalized due to incomplete criminal history reviews.

Incarceration & Redress

8 More CLPEF Grants Announced, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Civil Liberties Public Education Fund announced eight new grants at its May and June board meetings, bringing the total to 135 grants worth approximately $3.5 million. Recipients include projects on Japanese American history curricula, oral histories, and museum exhibits.
’50 on Maui Seek Redress, by P.C. Staff, page 1. About 50 evacuees from Puunene, Maui, are applying for redress under the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, working with Honolulu JACL past president Allicyn Hikida Tasaka. Families like the Sorayamas were forced to move from their plantation homes in 1942, and descendants are seeking documentation proving racial discrimination.
JACL Curriculum and Resource Guide Reaches 34 States, by Allan Hida, page 4. The JACL Curriculum and Resource Guide, first introduced in 1994, has now reached 34 states plus Canada and Japan, with numerous chapters ordering copies for educators. A newly reprinted version includes updated content, and JACL plans education workshops at district council gatherings to further disseminate the Guide.
‘Railroaded’ Families Share Their Stories, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Several Japanese American families recount being fired from railroad jobs in Idaho, Wyoming, Nevada, and Utah following Pearl Harbor, despite promises of lifetime employment, and the hardships of relocation without government assistance. Writers describe ongoing frustration that the Office of Redress Administration has denied their redress claims for lack of sufficient evidence.
Redress for Railroad Nikkei, by Michi Weglyn, page 9. Michi Weglyn examines gaps in the redress process for Japanese American railroad workers who were dismissed and relocated during WWII, arguing that government and military orders drove their displacement despite ORA’s narrow interpretation of eligibility. She cites archival documents from Gen. DeWitt and Col. Bendetson showing awareness of the mass migrations happening at the time.
Commemorate the Flight of Pioneer Aviator Masashi Goto, by P.C. Staff, page 10. Utah JACL chapters rededicated a monument to Masashi Goto, a Japanese aviator who died attempting a solo flight from Salt Lake City to Tokyo in 1929. The ceremony at the Uinta Mountains crash site included tributes from Goto’s hometown of Oita, Japan, and tree planting to mark the Uinta National Forest’s centennial.
Graffiti Continues to Soil Gila Monument, by P.C. Staff, page 10. The Gila River Monument Project committee cleaned fresh graffiti from the Camp 2 site monument for the sixth time, noting the isolated area is not heavily patrolled. JACLer Masaji Inoshita commented on the ongoing vandalism problem in the area.

Military & Veterans

442 RCT Veterans Gear for 55th Anniversary in Hawaii, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Hawaii’s four AJA veterans clubs are planning a 1998 celebration for the 442nd RCT’s 55th anniversary, continuing traditions honoring the officers who led the unit through combat in Italy and France. This year’s Kansha Medal was awarded for archival research documenting the unit’s history.
Brig. Gen. Imai, 51, Promoted to Next Rank, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Secretary of Defense William Cohen nominated Army National Guard Brig. Gen. Eugene S. Imai for promotion after his service as deputy commander for U.S. Army Pacific. Imai previously commanded the Hawaii Army National Guard and serves as a senior administrator at the University of Hawaii.
Hawaii Memorial Listing All WWII AJA KIA Proposed, by P.C. Staff, page 10. The 442 Veterans Club in Hawaii proposed installing granite slabs to properly honor all Japanese American WWII soldiers killed in action, an effort expected to cost $52,000. The club is also pursuing Medal of Honor upgrades for Distinguished Service Cross recipients and has amended bylaws to maintain nonpolitical status.
Ft. Lewis to Name Building for Sakakida, by P.C. Staff, page 10. Fort Lewis will dedicate a building in honor of the late Lt. Col. Richard Sakakida, a former MIS intelligence officer, on July 25. Family and MIS associates will attend the ceremony hosted by MIS Northwest.

Arts & Entertainment

Best Chef Award Won by Tokyo-Born Alan Wong, by ES, page 6. Alan Wong, 39, of Alan Wong’s Restaurant in Honolulu, won a best chef competition award. The brief item also notes chef Yamaguchi’s restaurant empire expanding to Seattle’s Westin Hotel Palm Court.
CNN Reporter Produces ‘Roots in Asia’ Miniseries, by P.C. Staff, page 11. CNN reporter Charles Tsai completed filming a five-part series called Roots in Asia, which aired in early May on CNN’s Newshour International. One segment was filmed at San Francisco’s JACCC featuring WWII experiences shared by Chizu Iiyama, Ruth Okimoto, and Kiku Funabiki with students.

In-Depth

A Street Named ‘Judge John Aiso’, by Harry K. Honda, page 8. North San Pedro Street in Little Tokyo was dedicated as Judge John Aiso Street on June 23, honoring the first Japanese American jurist on the mainland and wartime director of the Military Intelligence Service Language School. Harry Honda recounts Aiso’s legacy along with detailed memories of prewar Little Tokyo businesses and institutions along the street.

Obituaries

Death Notice: Sadako ‘Sud’ Morikawa, by P.C. Staff, page 11. Sadako ‘Sud’ Morikawa, 74, born in Santa Monica, Calif., passed away and is survived by her husband George, mother Itoe Maeda, sister Alice Takahashi, and brother George. The notice provides basic biographical details of her life.
Death Notice: George Y. Korenaga, by P.C. Staff, page 11. George Y. Korenaga of Portland, Ore., passed away in May, survived by his wife, children Gail, Holly, and Brian, and sisters Mary Sutow, Sue Fujii, and Shige Watanabe. The notice provides basic biographical details of his life and survivors.

Sports

East Bay Repeats as Jr. Olympics Champions at 45th Annual Event, by P.C. Staff, page 12. The East Bay team repeated as champions at the 45th annual Northern California JACL Jr. Olympics track and field meet, scoring 454 points ahead of San Francisco’s 402. Steve Young of the Sequoia team was named outstanding athlete after setting records in sprint and hurdle events.

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