Vol. 131, No. 5, July 21, 2000. 8 pages. View this issue
The JACL’s 36th Biennial National Council, meeting on July 1, adopted a resolution acknowledging the 315 Japanese Americans who resisted the draft during World War II on constitutional grounds. It apologized for failing to support them, while stating it did not diminish the Nisei veterans who volunteered. Also on page 1, Rep. Xavier Becerra and 23 co-sponsors introduced legislation for those denied redress under the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, and Tracy Uba reported on the NAACP and JACL call for an investigation into a Philadelphia police beating.
The convention in Monterey filled pages 3 and 4, with Fred K. Oshima, David Kawamoto and Lyndsey Shinoda writing about the banquet, the Program for Action and a workshop on discrimination. Gary Minami reported on lobbying to preserve camp sites, including a visitor’s center at Manzanar. The commentary pages carried a continuing debate over the Mike Masaoka quotation planned for the Washington, D.C. memorial, and Randy Yagi’s account of a 575-mile AIDS Ride.
What’s in this issue
National
- JACL Adopts Resolution Apologizing to WWII Draft Resisters of Conscience, by P.C. Staff, page 1. At its 36th Biennial National Council meeting on July 1, the JACL adopted a resolution acknowledging the 315 Japanese Americans who resisted the draft during WWII on constitutional grounds and apologizing for failing to support them. The resolution clarifies that it is not intended to diminish the contributions of Nisei veterans who volunteered to serve.
- NAACP, JACL Call for Investigation into Philadelphia Police Beating, by Tracy Uba, page 1. Following a videotaped incident showing a suspect being beaten by Philadelphia police officers, the NAACP and JACL called for a full investigation into the department, drawing comparisons to controversial policing under former Police Commissioner Frank Rizzo. Community members expressed concern about restoring public confidence in the integrity of the police process.
- Congressional Resolution Seeks Justice for Interned Americans Denied Redress, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Rep. Xavier Becerra and 23 original co-sponsors introduced legislation aimed at bringing justice to individuals who lost their freedom during WWII internment but were denied redress under the Civil Liberties Act of 1988. The bill’s supporters emphasized the need to continue speaking out against similar injustices and to bring pride back to American values of fairness.default
- Members of Congress Named as Co-Sponsors of Redress Resolution, by P.C. Staff, page 7. A list of congressional co-sponsors for the redress resolution is detailed, including Reps. Jose Baca, Howard Berman, Martin Frost, Charles Gonzalez, Ciro Rodriguez, Lucille Roybal-Allard, Pete Stark, Robert Underwood, and others. The resolution seeks to rectify past JACL positions regarding WWII incarceration and draft resistance.
JACL
- JA Republicans Lobby Congress to Preserve WWII Internment Camps, by Gary Minami, page 3. The Japanese American Republicans (JAR) took an active role lobbying Congress to fully fund a Department of Interior budget request to preserve WWII internment camp sites, including plans for a visitor’s center at Manzanar. Gary Hayakawa met with Congressman Chris Cox’s office to build Republican support for the funding effort, noting that JAR’s involvement is not an endorsement of Vice President Gore’s presidential campaign.
- Program for Action Committee to Refocus JACL’s National Priorities, by David Kawamoto, page 3. Following direction from the 36th biennial convention, JACL’s national council voted to revise the Program for Action to align it more closely with the organization’s budget and current priorities rather than remaining a broad ‘wish list.’ A newly appointed committee including members from various districts will work over the coming months to draft a revised Program for Action once the budget is finalized.
- JACL’s 36th Biennial Convention Called the Best Yet, by Fred K. Oshima, page 4. The Monterey convention featured a memorable Sayonara banquet highlighted by a video presentation about the rescue of Elian Gonzalez, along with recognition of benefactors Janice and Higashi of Easton Enterprise. The article reflects on the convention’s success and anticipation surrounding the upcoming National Memorial dedication in Washington, D.C. on Nov. 10.
Community
- Discrimination, Hate Crimes Among Hot Topics at JACL Convention, by Lyndsey Shinoda, page 4. A workshop titled addressing workplace discrimination held during the JACL convention on June 30 featured regional attorney Bill Tamayo discussing the technical process of filing discrimination charges. Panelists and attendees discussed how often Asian Americans face discrimination and the need for JACL to prioritize protecting civil rights for all Japanese Americans going forward.
- Medal of Honor Recipients Feted in Indianapolis, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Despite delayed recognition by the U.S. government, surviving Medal of Honor recipients were honored at a ceremony in Indianapolis, with four veterans attending in person including George Sakato. The Indianapolis chapter JACL and American Legion Post 1183 organized the event, which included glass sculptures etched with each veteran’s name, rank, and division, and was supported by Indianapolis Power and Light Company.
- Midwest District JACL Holds Education Committee Teacher Training Workshop, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Midwest District Council education committee met to plan a teacher training workshop on lesson plans for teaching about Japanese American internment, scheduled to include a panel of speakers sharing personal experiences. Blue Shield of California donated $1,000 to the JACL Telementoring Program during the convention’s Awards Luncheon.
Commentary
- Participating in the 7th Annual California AIDS Ride, by Randy Yagi, page 6. Randy Yagi recounts his experience cycling 575 miles from San Francisco to Los Angeles in the AIDS Ride to raise funds for the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, describing physical challenges including an injury and treacherous weather conditions. He reflects on the emotional triumph of finishing the ride, spurred by the support of volunteers and spectators along the route.
- NJAMF Inscriptions Controversy Continues Over Masaoka Quotation, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The National Japanese American Memorial Foundation faced ongoing controversy over its decision to include a quotation from Mike Masaoka on the Washington D.C. memorial, with critics arguing he counseled cooperation with unjust wartime incarceration. NJAMF board members defended the decision, noting that JACL convention delegates voted in support of the inscription by a wide margin.
- A Response to NJAMF Board’s Letter to the Editor, page 7. A writer responds to the NJAMF board’s June 15 letter, disputing its characterization of the controversy as the work of ‘a small minority’ and explaining the creation of the JAvoice.com website to represent diverse community perspectives on the memorial. The author argues the memorial’s narrow historical interpretation excluded many voices, including those who resisted incarceration on constitutional grounds.
- Defending Masaoka’s Legacy and Wartime Leadership, by Masanori, page 7. The author, writing as GFBNVA president, defends Mike Masaoka’s wartime leadership, arguing he worked to avert bloodshed by counseling cooperation with an unjust government order rather than betraying the Nikkei community. The piece calls for JACL, NJAHS, and JANM to fund a reprinting of Masaoka’s biography so people can judge his legacy for themselves.
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