Vol. 131, No. 3, July 7, 2000. 8 pages. View this issue
The 36th biennial JACL national convention in Monterey filled most of this eight-page issue. Martha Nakagawa reported that the national council voted 64-32, with four split votes, to apologize to the Nisei draft resisters of conscience, after a debate that divided largely by generation. P.C. Staff described veterans, including longtime JACLer Tom Masamori, walking out of the conference room afterward. Brian Niiya wrote about what the vote might mean for the organization. Tracy Uba covered the run-off between Floyd Mori and Lori Fujimoto for national president.
Other news from the convention included a failed redress resolution, support for the National Japanese American Memorial to Patriotism, and an emergency resolution on due process for Wen Ho Lee. President Clinton’s nomination of Norman Y. Mineta as secretary of commerce drew a JACL resolution, and Caroline Aoyagi reported on a veterans’ tribute dinner where Gen. Eric Shinseki spoke. Harry Honda filed his first report as JACL archivist.
What’s in this issue
National
- Tribute Dinner Honors JA Veterans of All Wars, by Caroline Aoyagi, page 1. A tribute dinner in Monterey brought together 500 people to honor Japanese American veterans from World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, featuring keynote remarks from Gen. Eric Shinseki. Shinseki, the first Asian American Army chief of staff, praised the veterans’ loyalty and sacrifice, referencing the recent awarding of 22 Medals of Honor to WWII AA vets.
- JACL Asks for Due Process in Wen Ho Lee Case, by Martha Nakagawa, page 3. The national council passed Emergency Resolution 5 advocating due process for Dr. Wen Ho Lee, who faced allegations related to mishandling of classified information, after a debate over whether the resolution improperly presumed his innocence. Supporters like Yvonne Kinoshita Ward and Alan Teruya argued the resolution addressed civil rights violations and profiling of Asian American scientists, while opponents like Rollin Sugi cautioned against the precedent it might set.
- Mineta Nomination Details, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Norman Mineta, who was interned in a Wyoming camp as a Cub Scout, has a long history of political firsts including serving as the first Asian Pacific American to chair a major House committee. President Clinton’s nomination of Mineta for secretary of commerce would make him the first APA cabinet member in U.S. history.
JACL
- JACL Applauds Mineta Nomination for U.S. Secretary of Commerce, by P.C. Staff, page 1. President Clinton nominated Norman Y. Mineta to be secretary of commerce, prompting JACL to pass an emergency resolution supporting his confirmation. JACL leaders Helen Kawagoe and John Tateishi praised Mineta’s qualifications and track record as a strong advocate for the community.
- National Council Approves Apology to Resisters of Conscience, by Martha Nakagawa, page 1. After a contentious debate split largely along generational lines, JACL’s national council voted 64-32 with four split votes to adopt a resolution apologizing to WWII Nisei draft resisters of conscience. The measure, introduced by David Masuo and seconded by Steve Kono, sparked strong opposition from veterans groups who argued it dishonored those who served.
- JACL Supports National JA Memorial, by Martha Nakagawa, page 1. The national council and national board both issued strong endorsements of the National Japanese American Memorial to Patriotism project in Washington, D.C., through Emergency Resolution 7 and an official statement. The resolution affirmed support for the memorial’s approved quotations and encouraged members to support educational outreach efforts.
- Despite Failure of ER4, JACL Commits to Fight for Redress, by Martha Nakagawa, page 1. Emergency Resolution 4, which called for JACL’s public support of unfinished redress business and Congressman Xavier Becerra’s Wartime Parity and Justice Act of 2000, failed despite extended debate. National JACL maintained it would not abandon the redress cause despite the resolution’s defeat.
- Run-off Ends National Board Elections 2000, by Tracy Uba, page 1. A closely contested run-off for JACL national president took place between Floyd Mori and Lori Fujimoto at the 36th biennial JACL national convention in Monterey. Frank Sakamoto of the Mile-Hi chapter was a third candidate in the race.
- Convention Passes Additional Resolutions, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The national council considered eight resolutions and eight emergency resolutions at the convention, including Resolution 1 on Federal Recognition of Native Hawaiians and Resolution 7 honoring the late Jim Miyazaki posthumously. Delegates debated and passed various measures including support for Hawaiian sovereignty and legislative reconciliation efforts.
- JACL Passes Resolution Recognizing Resisters, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Following passage of the resisters resolution, a contingent of veterans including longtime JACLer Tom Masamori stormed out of the conference room in protest, sparking heated debate. Columnist George Yoshinaga and others criticized the resolution as one-sided, while Gordon Hirabayashi and Brian Niiya expressed support for reconciliation efforts within the organization.
- JACL National Board Statement on Masaoka Memorial Inclusion, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The JACL national board issued a statement strongly supporting the decision to include Mike M. Masaoka’s name on the National Japanese American Memorial in Washington, D.C. The board affirmed that Masaoka demonstrated lifelong commitment to civil rights and the well-being of the Japanese American community.
Commentary
- Answers to Questions for the Archivist in His First Report to the National Convention, by Harry Honda, page 6. Harry Honda details his work as JACL archivist during the past biennium, including organizing historical files, meeting with Japanese American National Museum staff, and compiling records of JACL award recipients and non-Japanese allies who supported the community during WWII internment. He also discusses ongoing projects like documenting JACL redress history and prewar Nisei Week organizers.
- A New Era?, by Brian Niiya, page 6. Niiya reflects on the historic passage of the resolution recognizing Nisei draft resisters, suggesting it represents both changing generational perspectives and JACL’s attempt to attract younger members. He argues the resolution is not a repudiation of WWII veterans’ service but an attempt to heal community divisions and move the organization forward.
Community
- Delegates Raise Concern Over Questions Asked at Candidates Forum, by Tracy Uba, page 7. Concerns arose during the candidates forum when delegates like Yvonne Kinoshita Ward objected to the format restricting which questions were posed to candidates by moderators. Convention organizer Lillian Kimura defended the format as necessary to manage time constraints while addressing the needs of both longtime and new JACL members.
Obituaries
- Usuda, Hide, Noted Haiku Writer, Dies at 103, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Hide Usuda, a Toyama-born noted writer of haiku, died in Hillsboro, Oregon at age 103 on June 14. She is survived by her daughter Hada and four grandchildren.
- Watanabe, Kaye, Poston Internee, Dies at 87, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Kaye Watanabe, a Poston internee, died in Cincinnati on June 3 at age 87. He is survived by his wife Marnelle, daughters Carol Starrett and Donna Watanabe, sons Wesley and David, three grandchildren, and sister Leora Hamada.
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