JACL’s financial crisis and the first anniversary of 9/11

Vol. 135, No. 6, September 20, 2002. 12 pages. View this issue

JACL’s money troubles and the first anniversary of September 11 ran through this 12-page issue. Caroline Aoyagi reported that the national board, facing a potential $200,000 deficit, approved a two-part plan that included borrowing from the Life Trust Endowment Fund, with more detail on page 5. JACL also issued a statement on the anniversary that drew parallels to the World War II incarceration (often called internment) of Japanese Americans. Martha Nakagawa covered an interfaith memorial service at the new Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles, and a county report showed anti-Asian hate crimes up 40 percent in 2001.

Other pieces looked at the community’s past and future. Harry K. Honda wrote about the All-Topaz Reunion and a photo book on San Francisco’s Japantown. Kyle Tajima described an internship that took him to Manzanar. A grant for Japantown landmark exhibits, a Poston reunion notice and sports pages are inside too.

What’s in this issue

National

  • New L.A. Catholic Church Holds Interfaith 9/11 Service, by Martha Nakagawa, page 1. The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels was dedicated Sept. 2, and the following week hosted an interfaith memorial service attended by more than 3,000 people marking the anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks. The article details Asian-related artistic elements of the cathedral, including tributes to Japanese and Korean Catholic martyrs.
  • Hate Crimes Report Shows Rise in Anti-Asian Incidents in L.A. County, by P.C. Staff, page 2. A Los Angeles County Human Relations Commission report found hate crimes rose sharply in 2001, with anti-Asian incidents growing 40 percent from the previous year. The commission has launched public service announcements and educational programs to combat intergroup tensions and hate crimes.
  • JACL, NJAMF and APALC Issue 9/11 Anniversary Statements, by P.C. Staff, page 2. In addition to JACL, the National Japanese American Memorial Foundation and the Asian Pacific American Legal Center issued statements on the anniversary of Sept. 11, drawing on lessons from the Japanese American WWII experience. Both organizations called for tolerance and solidarity with all Americans against fear-driven discrimination.
  • Study: Nevada Minorities Making Economic Strides, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A University of Georgia study found that Asian Americans, Hispanics and blacks in Nevada increased their income faster than the state’s total population over the past 12 years, with Nevada AAs ranking first nationwide in buying power growth since 1990. The growing Asian community is expanding Chinatown and fielding a record number of candidates for state offices.
  • Nakano’s Healthcare Legislation Signed by Governor, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Gov. Gray Davis signed AB 1850, authored by Assemblyman George Nakano, requiring the California Military Department to provide healthcare coverage for National Guard members after 30 days of continuous active duty. The law closes a loophole that previously required 90 days of active duty before dependents received health coverage.
  • Mineta Introduces Coast Guard Anti-terror Team, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta helped introduce a new Maritime Safety Security Team in Los Angeles, a fast-deployment U.S. Coast Guard unit created after Sept. 11 to enhance homeland security. Mineta spoke at a ceremony honoring the 100 members of the unit at the Coast Guard Terminal Island base in San Pedro.
  • Asian Immigrants Bringing Ancestors to U.S. for Reburial, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Increasing numbers of Asian immigrants are relocating ancestors’ remains to the United States for reburial due to cost and convenience, according to funeral directors. Rose Hills cemetery in Whittier, Calif. handled hundreds of Asian burials in recent years, with feng shui principles sometimes guiding grave placement.
  • Hawaii Congresswoman Mink, 74, Hospitalized, by P.C. Staff, page 3. U.S. Rep. Patsy Mink was hospitalized in serious condition with pneumonia stemming from chickenpox while seeking her 13th term in Congress. Mink, who has served in Congress since 1990 after an earlier stint from 1965-1977, faced a little-known primary challenger.
  • Record 18,000 Japanese Over 100 Years Old, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Japan’s Health Ministry announced a new record of 17,934 centenarians in the country, an increase of 2,459 from the previous year and four times higher than a decade ago. Okinawa has the highest proportion of centenarians nationally, while the oldest living man and woman were 113 and 115 years old respectively.
  • Department Settles Discrimination Investigation Against Nuclear Lab, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Department of Fair Employment and Housing announced a settlement of a discrimination investigation against a nuclear laboratory, requiring an audit of the lab’s hiring processes. The brief report notes enforcement actions to verify compliance.

Commentary

  • Family Affair?, by Ryan Chin, page 1. JACL’s National VP of Membership questions whether the organization truly serves as a family-oriented group, noting that membership data shows parents and grandparents join but not their children and grandchildren. He proposes a gift membership drive to encourage multi-generational participation in JACL.
  • Between Matters: Japanese Population Statistics by County, by Harry K. Honda, page 8. Harry Honda presents detailed Census Bureau data on Japanese American population by county nationwide, based on the 2000 census categories of “Japanese Alone” and “Japanese Alone or in Combination.” The column includes rankings of the 124 U.S. counties with 1,000 or more residents of Japanese ancestry.
  • Ethnic Politics, Local Style, page 8. A columnist writing from Hawai’i discusses the upcoming primary and general elections, noting that unlike the mainland, Japanese American and Asian American candidates are commonplace and unremarkable in Hawaii politics due to the state’s demographics. The piece explores how ethnic identity still plays a significant role in campaign strategy despite the normalization of AA political representation.
  • Internship Program Provides Insight to JA Community, by Kyle Tajima, page 9. A Nikkei Youth Internship Program participant describes his eight-week experience at JACL’s Pacific Southwest District office, including attending the JACL national convention, visiting Manzanar, and meeting state legislators at a Sacramento youth conference. He reflects on how the experience deepened his understanding of JACL’s mission and Japanese American history.

JACL

  • National Board Sets Forth Plan to Deal With JACL’s Financial Crisis, by Caroline Aoyagi, page 1. Facing a potential $200,000 deficit, the JACL national board approved a two-part plan involving borrowing from the Life Trust Endowment Fund, refocusing staff on membership, education and fundraising, and potential personnel cuts. Board members emphasized the severity of the financial crisis and the need for immediate action to keep the organization afloat.
  • JACL Issues Statement on Anniversary of 9/11 Attacks, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL released a statement on the first anniversary of Sept. 11 honoring victims and heroes while drawing parallels to the WWII incarceration of Japanese Americans. The statement urged Americans to remember the lessons of history and avoid repeating discriminatory injustices against Muslim and Arab Americans.
  • JACL National Board Discusses Finances in Detail, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Details of JACL’s financial crisis reveal the National Endowment Fund and Legacy Fund have both fallen below principal value, leaving the organization unable to draw on typical investment revenue sources. The board approved borrowing from the Life Trust Endowment Fund and formed committees to oversee finances, while also revising the Honolulu convention contract to maintain a 50:50 profit split with the host chapter.
  • National Board Praises Congressman Underwood, Discusses Athletics Commissioner and Votes Down Pledge of Allegiance Motion, by Caroline Aoyagi, page 6. The JACL national board appointed Bob Taniguchi as national athletics commissioner and passed a resolution praising former Congressman Robert Underwood for his civil rights work, but voted down a motion supporting the Ninth Circuit’s ruling on the Pledge of Allegiance’s “under God” phrase after a tie-breaking vote by President Mori. The board also endorsed California Proposition 52 and discussed progress on the Hate Crimes Program and National Youth/Student Conference planned for St. Louis in 2003.

Community

  • All-Topaz Reunion 2002 Attracts 500, by Harry K. Honda, page 4. The 2002 All-Topaz Reunion drew 500 attendees to the Radisson Miyako Hotel in San Francisco, with keynote speaker Diane Matsuda of CCLPEP highlighting the contributions of Congressman Mike Honda and Assemblyman George Nakano to Japanese American educational programs. The reunion honored Topaz internment camp survivors and thanked donors to cultural preservation efforts.
  • Poston Reunion Set for October in Laughlin, Nevada, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Poston I Classes of ’46, ’47 and ’48 will hold a reunion Oct. 22-24 at the Flamingo Hotel in Laughlin, Nevada, marking the 10th anniversary of the Poston historical memorial monument. Events include a dinner banquet, a bus trip to the memorial, and a sayonara breakfast, with buses departing from Gardena and Venice.
  • JAMA Collecting Material for Publication on Camp Doctors, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Japanese American Medical Association is collecting materials about doctors and medical professionals who served in WWII detention camp hospitals for a planned 100-page publication, “Silent Scars of Healing Hands.” The project, funded through CCLPEP, involves historians, researchers and oral history interviews with former camp doctors and will be completed in 2003.
  • MISLS Registry Now on JAVA Website, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Japanese American Veterans Association has posted a draft MISLS Registry containing 6,946 names on its website, allowing readers to help correct and update information about Military Intelligence Service Language School veterans. The project, started with help from AJA WWII Memorial Alliance researchers, will eventually appear on a CD-ROM and lead to a supplementary registry of MIS support personnel.
  • CCLPEP Awards Grant for Japantown Landmarks, by P.C. Staff, page 9. The California Japanese American Community Leadership Council received a CCLPEP grant to create historical landmark exhibits in the three remaining Japantowns in California: San Francisco, San Jose and Los Angeles. The exhibits aim to educate visitors about JA community history, including forced evacuation and internment during WWII.
  • San Jose JACL to Host Forum on AA Women in Media, by P.C. Staff, page 9. The San Jose JACL and Nihonmachi Outreach Committee will host a forum on “Asian American Women in the Arts and Media,” featuring a screening of Deborah Gee’s film “Slaying the Dragon” followed by a panel discussion. Panelists include playwright Philip Kan Gotanda and professors Wei Ming Dariotis and Julie Hatta.

Sports

  • Record-setting Effort Just a Start, Morton Hopes, page 7. New York Jets kick returner Chad Morton set an NFL record by returning kickoffs for touchdowns in both regulation and overtime, lifting the Jets to a 37-31 win over Buffalo. Morton credited his blockers and special teams coach Mike Westhoff for the historic performance.
  • Kaumeyer is New Defensive Coach at San Diego State, page 7. Thom Kaumeyer, son of a Japanese American mother and German American father, began his first season as defensive coordinator for San Diego State University after two seasons as an assistant coach with the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons. Kaumeyer also played professionally in Japan and coached Tokyo’s Onward Kashiyama team in the mid-1990s.
  • Ishii Has Surgery for Nasal Fracture, Return Not Known, page 7. Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Kazuhisa Ishii underwent surgery to remove bone chips from his nasal passage after being struck in the head by a line drive during a game against Houston. Ishii also sustained a small skull fracture and concussion, and no timetable has been set for his return to the mound.
  • Kahumoku Has 26 Kills to Lead Hawaii Over UCLA, page 7. Lily Kahumoku recorded 26 kills to lead fourth-ranked Hawaii to victory over seventh-ranked UCLA in the championship match of the Wahine Volleyball Classic. Kim Willoughby added 19 kills and was named the tournament’s most outstanding player.
  • Dodgers Promote Chen to Big League Roster, page 7. The Los Angeles Dodgers promoted Chin-Feng Chen to the major league roster, making him the first Taiwanese player on a big league team. Chen hit .284 with 26 homers for the Triple-A Las Vegas 51s and previously became the first Taiwanese-born player to sign with an American organization when he joined the Dodgers.

Arts & Entertainment

  • Play About South Asian Americans Runs Through Oct. 6, page 7. East West Players is presenting “Queen of the Remote Control,” a new black comedy by South Asian American playwright Sujata G. Bhatt, at the David Henry Hwang Theatre in Los Angeles. The play follows a 17-year-old protagonist navigating life in a middle-class immigrant Indian family in Calabasas, California.
  • 2003 Chicago AA Showcase Seeking Submissions, page 7. The Chicago Asian American Showcase, presented by the Foundation for Asian American Independent Media and the Gene Siskel Film Center, is seeking feature and experimental film/video submissions for its 8th annual showcase. Entry deadlines are Oct. 31 for early submission and Nov. 15 for late submission.

Obituaries

  • Renowned Historian, UCLA Professor Yuji Ichioka, Passes, by Associated Press, page 11. Historian Yuji Ichioka, who coined the term “Asian American” and taught the first AA studies course at UCLA in 1969, died of cancer at age 66. His congressional testimony on Japanese American internment helped lead to the 1988 Civil Liberties Act redress, and UCLA plans to establish an endowed chair in his honor.
  • Eugene Allen Wright, Judge and Former Commander of JA Soldiers, Passes, by Associated Press, page 11. Eugene Allen “Gene” Wright, a federal appeals judge who served on the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals from 1969 until his death, died at 89 from pneumonia and congestive heart failure. During WWII Wright served as an intelligence officer and commander of Japanese American soldiers, earning the Bronze Star and other honors.

In-Depth

  • J-Town, Past and Present, Sparkles, by Harry K. Honda, page 12. Harry Honda reviews “Generations,” a photo book published by the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center of Northern California depicting San Francisco’s Japantown from the 1930s through the present. The review highlights historic photo chapters covering the Evacuation, Redress, and community rebuilding, recommending the book as a coffee-table piece for those with San Francisco connections.

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