JACL leaders look ahead to 2006 and the Phoenix convention

Vol. 142, No. 1, January 20, 2006. 16 pages. View this issue

The new year brought reports from JACL’s leaders. National President Ken Inouye, Larry Oda, Edwin Endow and Carol Kawamoto each wrote about the past two years and what comes next, including a membership campaign aimed at 500 lapsed and 500 new members. Several district governors, among them Bobbi Hanada, Hiro Nishikawa and Elaine Akagi, sent greetings for 2006, and many pointed toward the national convention in Phoenix. Gil Asakawa opened the issue with a column on the paper’s move to a new Little Tokyo office.

Elsewhere, Floyd Mori wrote about racism and civil rights from Washington, D.C., and Gerald Kato said farewell to his post as PSW Programs Coordinator. The Central California district described its Pinedale Assembly Center Memorial Project, and the NCWNP district previewed the symphony premiere of Manzanar: An American Story. A 2005 In Memoriam list closes the issue, and four of its 16 pages carry holiday greetings.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• Starting the New Year with a Clean Slate, by Gil Asakawa, page 2. Gil Asakawa reflects on the Pacific Citizen’s move to a new Little Tokyo office and its dedicated coverage of civil rights and APA community news throughout the year. He praises the staff for winning two runner-up awards from New America Media’s Ethnic Media Journalism Awards and looks forward to the paper’s growing online presence.
• JACL in the Nation’s Capital, by Floyd Mori, page 11. Floyd Mori discusses ongoing incidents of racism, including an attack on a Japanese American man at the Salt Lake City airport, and draws parallels between historical treatment of Japanese Americans and current treatment of Muslim Americans post-9/11. He reflects on his work in Washington, D.C. and JACL’s continued advocacy on immigration and civil rights issues.
• To My Extended Family, by Gerald Kato, page 13. Gerald Kato reflects on his departure from the PSW Programs Coordinator position after several years, recalling memorable JACL moments including the 2003 Gala Dinner and a lighthearted pie-throwing incident at a Tri-District conference. He thanks colleagues, mentors, and interns who shaped his experience with the organization.

JACL

• A Word from the President: Reflections, by Ken Inouye, page 3. JACL National President Ken Inouye reflects on meeting JACL members across the country and outlines the characteristics that define a JACL member, including honoring the Nisei generation and speaking out against social injustice. He expresses pride in serving the organization and wishes members a safe and prosperous new year.
• A Report from General Operations, by Larry Oda, page 3. Larry Oda reports on JACL’s General Operations achievements in 2005, including a staff cost-of-living increase and a revised Personnel Manual. He discusses ongoing challenges with declining membership and revenue, and highlights efforts by various vice presidents to strengthen the organization ahead of the national convention in Phoenix.
• Building JACL Membership in 2006, by Edwin Endow, page 4. Edwin Endow reports on 2005 membership recruitment efforts, thanking staff and district governors for their work in slowing membership decline. He announces a new membership campaign with a prize drawing to recruit 500 lapsed and 500 new members, plus a new prescription drug discount benefit for 2006.
• Planning and Developing the JACL, by Carol Kawamoto, page 4. Carol Kawamoto discusses her role overseeing JACL’s scholarship program, planned giving initiative, and education committee during the biennium. She highlights growth in the scholarship program from 22 to 29 scholarships and progress on curriculum guides and teacher training workshops.
• Highlights from the Central Calif. District Council, by Bobbi Hanada, page 5. Bobbi Hanada recaps a busy year for the Central California District Council, including chapter film festivals, the Fresno Shinzen Run, and scholarship luncheons. She also highlights the Pinedale Assembly Center Memorial Project aimed at preserving and honoring the historic internment site.
• Greetings for 2006 from the EDC, by Hiro Nishikawa, page 5. New EDC governor Hiro Nishikawa discusses the challenges of engaging younger generations and newer Asian immigrants in JACL’s mission. He raises questions about JACL’s governance structure amid proposals to move to an annual convention cycle.
• Greetings from the NCWNP District, by Thaya Mune Craig, page 6. Thaya Mune Craig recaps NCWNP district events in 2005, including a fundraiser dinner honoring community leaders with honorary chair Kristi Yamaguchi, and the world premiere of the symphony ‘Manzanar: An American Story.’ She also previews the district’s plans to host the National JACL Golf Tournament at Harding Park in October 2006.
• Celebrating JACL’s 77th Anniversary, by Silvana Watanabe, page 7. Silvana Watanabe invites all JACL members and families to the national convention in Phoenix, emphasizing that it is an event for the whole community, not just delegates. She shares personal anecdotes about her family’s excitement for the convention and praises the extensive planning efforts by the Arizona chapter and national staff.
• A Message from the Midwest District, by Ronald M. Katsuyama, page 7. Ronald Katsuyama describes the merger of the Mountain Plains District Council chapters into the Midwest District Council and the smooth transition led by former governor Sharon Ishii-Jordan. He outlines MDC’s continued focus on youth involvement, education programs, and civil rights initiatives for 2006.
• Alive and Well in the Pacific Northwest, by Elaine Akagi, page 11. Newly elected PNW governor Elaine Akagi reports that the district’s 10 chapters remain active in education and civil rights work. She discusses a strategic planning effort led by Jeffrey Hattori to prepare JACL for future generations and previews the Phoenix convention.
• Capitalizing on Our Resources, by Alayne Yonemoto, page 12. New PSW governor Alayne Yonemoto discusses the importance of national staff and regional directors as resources for JACL chapters, noting the district currently lacks a regional director. She outlines plans to build stronger chapter partnerships and showcase JACL programs ahead of hosting the 2006 national convention.

Obituaries

• In Memoriam — 2005, by P.C. Staff, page 14. An extensive necrology lists Japanese American community members, veterans, and leaders who passed away in 2005, including notable figures like Col. Young O. Kim, Tsuyako ‘Sox’ Kitashima, Fred Korematsu, Robert T. Matsui, and Pat Morita. Many entries detail WWII and Korean War military service, civil rights activism, and contributions to Japanese American community organizations.
• Alice ‘Miz’ Tsukahara, by P.C. Staff, page 15. Alice ‘Miz’ Tsukahara, 77, of Gardena passed away Dec. 20 after a lengthy illness, having been interned at Gila River, Ariz. during WWII before resettling in Gardena and working for the city for over 30 years. She is remembered fondly by her surviving sister and numerous nieces and nephews as a beloved ‘Auntie Miz.’
• Robert M. Mitori, by P.C. Staff, page 15. Robert M. Mitori, 71, of St. Louis passed away Dec. 13, having served as past president of the St. Louis JACL and spoken at schools about his family’s WWII internment experience at Rohwer, Ark. He later graduated from Washington University and worked at McDonnell Douglas Corp. for over 25 years before retiring in 1993.

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