Vol. 156, No. 1, January 18, 2013. 16 pages. View this issue
The death of Sen. Daniel K. Inouye on Dec. 17 shaped much of this issue. Inside are a staff obituary, a report on the two-day tribute in Honolulu by Sean Iheara, a timeline of his life that includes his service with the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and a personal remembrance of his support for redress. JACL leaders also looked ahead to 2013. President David Lin, National Director Priscilla Ouchida and Secretary/Treasurer Matthew Farrells wrote about finances, membership and visibility, and the youth council leaders added their own plans.
Also in this issue: Greg Marutani on the Art of Gaman exhibition, which began a tour of Japan, and a notice of the 2013 JACL scholarship program. The Japanese American National Museum announced a Day of Remembrance program marking the 25th anniversary of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988. Gil Asakawa reviewed the film Jiro Dreams of Sushi. Four pages carry holiday greetings.
What’s in this issue
JACL
- Happy New Year! A Solid Foundation Will Take the JACL to a New Level of Achievement, Visibility and Financial Stability in 2013, by David Lin, page 2. JACL National President David Lin reflects on 2012’s accomplishments and outlines three focus areas for 2013: financial stability, membership recruitment and retention, and ad-hoc working committees. He highlights new initiatives including leveraging staff expertise and the Pacific Citizen for cost efficiency and communications.
- A Broad Effort Will Be Made to Raise the Visibility of the JACL in 2013, by Priscilla Ouchida, page 3. National Director Priscilla Ouchida reviews JACL’s 84-year history of civil rights leadership, from joining the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights in 1950 to championing marriage equality in 1994. She outlines plans to modernize JACL’s website and technology and raise the organization’s national visibility in 2013.
- The JACL Must Continue to Set Goals to Grow Financially and Provide the Tools for Improvement on All Levels, by Matthew Farrells, page 3. Secretary/Treasurer Matthew Farrells discusses JACL’s financial strengths, including $1.5 million in trust distributions received in 2012 that helped repay loans and fund capital improvements. He outlines plans for continued investment in technology, infrastructure and a new planned giving initiative for 2013.
- The Question of Membership Remains a Challenge, by Annie Kim Noguchi, page 4. National Membership Coordinator Annie Kim Noguchi reflects on her first seven months in the role and shares her hopes for 2013, including strengthening chapter partnerships and engaging younger members. She recalls her own youth experiences with JACL that shaped her commitment to the organization’s mission.
- Membership Is Vital for Sustainability, by John Moy, page 4. VP Membership and Services John Moy discusses the challenge of exciting members to join or renew and reaffirms JACL’s mission around public awareness, youth leadership and policy advocacy. He outlines several 2013 initiatives including estate planning partnerships, airline discounts, corporate matching gifts and establishing a new Florida chapter.
- It’s Time to Focus on Organizational Structure, by Miyoko “Miko” Sawamura, page 4. VP General Operations Miyoko Sawamura previews preparations for the 2013 National Convention in Washington, D.C., and plans to evaluate options for the 2014 convention. She also discusses reviewing JACL’s organizational structure, personnel handbook and health benefits in the coming year.
- New Opportunities and Challenges Abound for the JACL Youth Council, by Mariko Newton, page 5. National Youth Representative Mariko Newton reviews the National Youth/Student Council’s 2012 achievements, including an operations plan, leadership training and the NY/SC Leadership Summit. She outlines three goals for 2013: building local networks, advocacy on unifying issues, and developing internal structures to support the council’s mission.
- The JACL Must Continue to Foster an Empowered Generation of Leaders, by Jeffrey Moy, page 5. NY/SC Chair Jeffrey Moy discusses plans to professionalize the youth council through increased advocacy, fundraising and documentation of processes. He emphasizes the importance of building strong partnerships with the broader AAPI and civil rights communities to foster future JACL leaders.
- National JACL Announces 2013 Scholarship Program, by P.C. Staff, page 12. JACL announced its 2013 National Scholarship and Awards Program offering approximately 30 college scholarships, including a new Meiji Gakuin University JACL Scholarship for study in Japan. Freshman applications are due March 1 to local chapters, while other categories are due April 1 to the National JACL Scholarship Committee.
Commentary
- The JACL Continues to Inspire Us All, by Toshi Abe, page 6. EDC District Governor Toshi Abe recounts attending Sen. Daniel Inouye’s memorial service at the National Cathedral, where leaders including President Obama, Joe Biden and Bill Clinton spoke of Inouye’s inspiration on their lives. Abe reflects on his own JACL journey and calls on young members to help shape the organization’s future.
- Words Have Power, by Chip Larouche, page 6. PNW District Governor Chip Larouche examines the power of language, discussing JACL’s Power of Words Handbook and the ongoing debate over terms like “internment camp” versus “concentration camp.” He cautions against rigid enforcement of preferred terminology and calls for sensitivity toward individuals’ personal experiences.
- Jiro Dreams of Sushi: A Reflection on Sushi’s Journey From Street Food to Luxury, by Gil Asakawa, page 7. Gil Asakawa reviews the documentary “Jiro Dreams of Sushi” and reflects on sushi’s transformation from humble street food to a $300 luxury meal at Jiro Ono’s Tokyo restaurant. He contrasts this with his own experience of sushi as a special-occasion food for Japanese Americans, noting how American inventions like California Rolls changed sushi’s identity.
National
- A Community Mourns the Loss of Daniel K. Inouye, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye, the second-longest serving senator and a Medal of Honor recipient, died Dec. 17 at age 88 from respiratory complications. The article traces his life from Pearl Harbor volunteer medic to decorated WWII veteran to influential senator who chaired the Watergate and Iran-Contra investigations and championed Japanese American redress.
- Hawaii Honors Late Sen. Daniel Inouye, by Sean Iheara, page 8. A two-day tribute was held in Honolulu for Sen. Daniel Inouye, including a ceremony at the Hawaii State Capitol and a motorcade procession to the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama attended the morning service honoring the senator’s decades of support for Hawaii.
In-Depth
- Remembering Sen. Daniel K. Inouye: A Timeline, by Pacific Citizen Staff, page 9. This timeline traces Daniel Inouye’s life from his birth in 1924 Honolulu through his family’s immigration story, WWII heroism with the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and his decades-long political career culminating in his death on Dec. 17, 2012. Key milestones include his Medal of Honor, his marriages, and his historic elections to the Territorial House, U.S. House and U.S. Senate.
- The Passing of Inouye Is an Incalculable Loss … But We’re All the Better for Having Known Him, page 10. The author recounts a decades-long friendship with Sen. Daniel Inouye beginning with a 1979 meeting about JACL’s redress legislation strategy, where Inouye suggested pursuing a federal commission rather than a direct compensation bill. The piece shares personal anecdotes revealing Inouye’s humility, his private anguish over wartime killing, and his enduring loyalty to his 442nd comrades and community.
- The Art of Gaman Exhibition Travels to Tokyo, by Greg Marutani, page 12. The “Art of Gaman” exhibition of arts and crafts made in Japanese American internment camps began a yearlong tour of Japan, drawing nearly 56,000 visitors at Tokyo University of the Arts, including a visit from Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko. Curator Delphine Hirasuna credits JACL San Francisco chapter’s support and notes the exhibition will travel to Fukushima, Sendai, Okinawa and Hiroshima.
Community
- Southern California Edison Supports JACL PSW’s Collegiate Japanese American Internship Program, by P.C. Staff, page 13. JACL Pacific Southwest District completed the second year of its Collegiate Japanese American Internship Program, funded by Southern California Edison, placing college interns in three API community organizations across LA and Orange County. Interns gained advocacy experience and organized a One-Day College Conference on API activism with students from UC Irvine, Claremont Colleges and Cal State Northridge.
- JANM Hosts 2013 Day of Remembrance Program, by P.C. Staff, page 13. The Japanese American National Museum will host its 2013 Day of Remembrance program on Feb. 16, themed around the 25th anniversary of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988. The event will feature footage from Los Angeles Commission Hearings, a tribute to the late Sen. Daniel Inouye, and will be emceed by Stephanie Nitahara and Soji Kashiwagi.
- Rotary International’s 2013 Rose Parade Float Highlights Commitment to World Peace, by P.C. Staff, page 15. Rotary International’s Rose Parade entry, “All the Places We Go,” featured a world globe and giant origami peace cranes symbolizing the organization’s commitment to global peace and community service. Participants included Rotary International President Sakuji Tanaka, Rotary Rose Float Committee Chair and Santa Barbara JACL Chapter President Wade Nomura, and Grand Marshal Dr. Jane Goodall.
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