JACL’s 75th Anniversary Convention kickoff and Day of Remembrance

Vol. 138, No. 4, March 5, 2004. 12 pages. View this issue

The JACL’s 75th Anniversary National Convention kicked off in Honolulu, with Mayor Jeremy Harris welcoming the group. Angela Lovitt reported that the August convention will carry the theme “Our Legacy, Our Future: Ensuring Diversity in America.” Day of Remembrance ceremonies marked the 62nd anniversary of Executive Order 9066 and the World War II incarceration (often called internment). JACL also asked author Al Franken to apologize and to remove a racial slur from his book. Inside, Harry K. Honda remembered longtime JACL member Fred Y. Hirasuna, and Emily Teruya wrote on reaching young people.

Other pages looked at UCLA’s new endowed chair on the incarceration and Manzanar’s new website ahead of its April grand opening and pilgrimage. Chapter installations came from Mile-Hi, Florin, Ventura County and Salt Lake City. Sports pages followed Apolo Ohno and Hideki Matsui. Sen. Daniel Inouye announced his run for an eighth term.

What’s in this issue

JACL

• JACL Kicks Off 75th Anniversary National Convention, by Angela Lovitt, page 1. The JACL officially kicked off its 75th Anniversary National Convention in Honolulu with a ceremony hosted by Mayor Jeremy Harris. The convention, themed ‘Our Legacy, Our Future: Ensuring Diversity in America,’ will be held in August 2004.
• Go For Broke Educational Foundation Recognized by Hawaii State Legislature, page 3. The Go For Broke Educational Foundation was honored by the Hawaii State Legislature for its work educating the public about Japanese American WWII veterans’ sacrifices. The foundation has expanded its teacher training programs into Hawaii after establishing its history in California.
• National JA Veterans Council Announces Contest for MIS Stories, page 5. The National Japanese American Veterans Council announced a contest inviting MIS veterans or their families to submit personal stories about their roles in the WWII occupation of Japan. Winners will receive cash prizes and entries will be added to a national archive including the Library of Congress Veterans History Project.
• Mile-Hi Chapter Holds Installation and Kansha no Hi Awards, page 6. The JACL Mile-Hi chapter held its installation of officers and presented the 2004 Tom Masamori Memorial Kansha no Hi awards in Denver. More than 100 people attended, with JACL National President Floyd Mori as guest speaker.
• Florin Chapter Holds Installation Dinner, page 6. The Florin JACL chapter held its ‘Strength Through Diversity’ installation dinner featuring keynote speaker Dr. Dorothy Enomoto, a former classmate of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Frank and Joanne Iritani were honored for their community service, and a candlelight vigil symbolized unity among diverse community members.
• Ventura County Chapter Holds Installation Luncheon, page 6. The JACL Ventura County chapter held its 24th annual installation luncheon in Simi Valley, with Ken Inouye installing new officers and George Wakiji reelected as president. Guest speaker Dr. Gordon Nakagawa discussed growing diversity in the Nikkei community and JACL’s continued relevance.
• Salt Lake City Chapter Holds Board Installation Dinner, page 6. The Salt Lake City JACL chapter held its annual board installation dinner with former IDC Governor Larry Grant swearing in the 2004 officers. Attendees also voted in support of a resolution backing a state hate crimes bill.

National

• Inouye Announces Campaign for Eighth Term in U.S. Senate, by Jaymes Song, page 1. Sen. Daniel Inouye, 79, formally announced his candidacy for an eighth term in the U.S. Senate before 2,200 supporters in Honolulu. Inouye, the third most senior member of the Senate, cited unfinished business including Hawaiian sovereignty and the Ford Island development as reasons for continuing to serve.
• JACL Urges Franken to Apologize for Use of Racial Epithet, Asks Him to Remove Term From Book, by Pacific Citizen Staff, page 1. JACL sent letters demanding author Al Franken apologize and remove the racial slur ‘Jap’ from his book ‘Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them.’ JACL leaders said the term evokes the same painful history as the ‘N’ word for African Americans and is never acceptable, even for comedic effect.
• JA Community Marks 62nd Anniversary of WWII Internment With Day of Remembrance Ceremonies, by Pacific Citizen Staff, page 1. Communities nationwide held Day of Remembrance ceremonies marking the 62nd anniversary of Executive Order 9066, which led to the internment of 120,000 Japanese Americans. California Assemblyman George Nakano introduced a resolution declaring Feb. 19 a Day of Remembrance to educate the public about the WWII experience.
• Yee’s Case Sparks Questions About Military Justice System, by Associated Press and Pacific Citizen Staff, page 1. Army Muslim chaplain James Yee spent 76 days in prison as authorities pursued an espionage case that was later reduced to lesser charges like adultery and pornography possession. Legal experts questioned whether prosecutorial missteps and Yee’s ethnic and religious background contributed to the case’s mishandling.
• Re-issued HHS Report Admits Disparities, page 3. The Department of Health and Human Services reissued its healthcare disparities report after minority groups accused it of downplaying racial and ethnic health care gaps for political reasons. Rep. Mike Honda called the reissue a victory and urged passage of the Healthcare Equality and Accountability Act of 2003.
• American Airlines Reaches Settlement with Muslim Man, by Associated Press, page 4. American Airlines agreed to change its security procedures to settle a discrimination lawsuit filed by a Muslim passenger removed from a flight in 2001 because of his name. The airline paid $1,500 in damages and sent an apology letter, also agreeing to train employees against racial and religious profiling.
• Fang Family Sells San Francisco Examiner, by Associated Press and Pacific Citizen Staff, page 4. The Fang family agreed to sell the San Francisco Examiner to billionaire Phil Anschutz after experiencing declining circulation and profits during their four-year ownership. Florence Fang will retain a minority interest and become vice chairman and publisher emeritus of the new company.
• National Newsbytes, by Associated Press and Pacific Citizen Staff, page 4. This roundup covers the closing of Philadelphia’s Chinese Cultural Center due to financial woes, the funeral of Filipino American Maria Cruz whose body was found at a fake doctor’s home, a discrimination lawsuit by an Islamic group against a Maryland county, a controversial whites-only scholarship at a Rhode Island university, and Elko County, Nevada’s resolution opposing parts of the Patriot Act.
• CJACLC Announces Summer 2004 Nikkei Community Internship, page 9. The California Japanese American Community Leadership Council announced its 2004 Nikkei Community Internship program, matching college-aged interns with JA community organizations in Los Angeles and the Bay Area. The eight-week program aims to develop the next generation of community leaders and applications were due March 26.

Commentary

• Idaho Day of Remembrance, page 2. The Sawtooth Chapter in Pocatello, Idaho reflects on the third annual Day of Remembrance ceremony held in the governor’s office despite some local opposition. The piece credits Gov. Kempthorne and community organizers for growing the observance and stresses continued vigilance regarding civil liberties given the Patriot Act.
• Same-sex Marriage, page 2. The columnist draws parallels between historic bans on interracial marriage faced by Japanese Americans and current opposition to same-sex marriage in San Francisco. The piece argues that JACL and the Japanese American community should support civil and human rights for gay and lesbian couples as they once fought for their own rights.
• Quit Asking and Start Acting, by Emily Teruya, page 5. Drawing on Native American scholar Vine Deloria’s writings, the author argues that JACL should stop theorizing about how to attract youth and simply ask them directly. She connects this to broader questions about JACL’s relevance and mission in the 21st century.
• Fred Y. Hirasuna, 96: JACL Stalwart or Maverick, by Harry K. Honda, page 8. This tribute column remembers longtime JACL member Fred Y. Hirasuna, who attended JACL’s first national convention in 1930 and was known for his outspoken views, including support for allowing non-citizen Issei full membership rights. The piece recounts his passionate 1990 convention speech and his lasting impact on the organization.
• Long-Term Care Planning Helps Family Caregivers, by Karl Kim, page 8. This column discusses the challenges facing family caregivers, most of whom also work outside the home, and highlights resources like the Family Medical Leave Act and the Eldercare Locator service. It emphasizes the importance of planning ahead for long-term care needs and costs.

Community

• UCLA’s Asian American Studies Center Establishes Nation’s First Endowed Chair Focusing on JA WWII Internment, by Pacific Citizen Staff and Associated Press, page 3. UCLA established the first endowed academic chair dedicated to studying the WWII internment of Japanese Americans, funded by internment survivors George and Sakaye Aratani. The chair will examine the internment, the redress movement, and contemporary issues facing the Japanese American community.
• APAs in the News: Awards, Appointments, Announcements, page 4. Ted Hong was nominated by Gov. Linda Lingle to serve as a Circuit Court judge on the Big Island, though his confirmation could be contentious. Kathryn Fujita, a second-grade teacher in California, was nominated for a Touching the Heart Award for her work in the classroom.
• Manzanar Launches New Website in Anticipation of April Grand Opening, page 5. The Manzanar National Historic Site unveiled a redesigned website ahead of the April 24 grand opening of its Interpretive Center and Park Headquarters. The events will include the 35th Annual Manzanar Pilgrimage and a ceremony featuring performances and remarks from JA community leaders.
• East Bay Nikkei Singles Offers Scholarship, page 5. East Bay Nikkei Singles is offering a $500 scholarship to graduating high school students from single-parent Nikkei families in Northern California. The application deadline is April 15.

Sports

• Shinzen USA Nikkei Youth Goodwill Basketball Program Begins 2004 Coach Selection, by Pacific Citizen and Associated Press, page 7. The Shinzen USA Nikkei Youth Goodwill Program announced its 2004 coach selection process for an 18-month exchange program between U.S. and Japanese youth basketball players. Applications for volunteer coaches were due March 12.
• Torre: More Power Not Needed From Matsui, page 7. Yankees manager Joe Torre said he does not expect or want more home run power from outfielder Hideki Matsui this season. Torre praised Matsui’s ability to hit well in clutch situations, noting his .335 average with runners in scoring position.
• Ohno Wins 3,000-meter Race, page 7. Speedskater Apolo Anton Ohno won the 3,000-meter race at the season’s final World Cup short-track meet in Bormio, Italy. Ohno finished third overall in the World Cup standings behind South Korean skaters Hyun-Soo Ahn and Suk-Woo Song.
• Ohno Among Five Sullivan Finalists, page 7. Apolo Ohno was named one of five finalists for the 2003 Sullivan Award honoring the nation’s top amateur athletes. The winner was to be announced April 13 at the New York Athletic Club.
• Grand Champion Asashoryu Exhibits His Dominance of Sumo in South Korea, page 7. Mongolian sumo grand champion Asashoryu dominated an exhibition tournament in Seoul, the first sumo event in South Korea since the end of Japanese colonial rule. The exhibition was part of efforts to improve cultural ties between Japan and South Korea following the 2002 World Cup co-hosting.
• Goo to Retire as Rainbow Wahine Coach After 20 Seasons, page 7. Hawaii women’s basketball coach Vince Goo, the winningest coach in program history, announced his retirement at the end of the season. Goo compiled a 331-162 career record and was known for stressing academics among his athletes.

Obituaries

• San Francisco Superior Court Judge Lenard Louie Dies, by Associated Press, page 11. Lenard Louie, a San Francisco Superior Court judge known for his work in the Asian community, died Feb. 24 at age 68 after a long illness. Louie was appointed to the bench in 1985 and 1989 and was known for prosecuting Asian gangs earlier in his career as a deputy district attorney.

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