The 2010 New Year’s issue: JACL leaders look back and ahead

Vol. 150, No. 1, January 22, 2010. 16 pages. View this issue

JACL leaders took stock of 2009 and set out their hopes for the new decade in this 16-page New Year’s issue. National President Larry Oda reviewed the group’s financial recovery, and National Director Floyd Mori called the coming decade the JACL’s “Decade of Decision.” Ron Katsuyama listed civil rights gains and 2010 priorities, while district governors and youth representative Brandon Mita wrote on membership, mentorship, governance and the upcoming national convention in Chicago. Caroline Aoyagi-Stom looked at the paper’s own place as other ethnic newspapers closed.

Page 7 begins a year in review, with photos and newsmakers of 2009, including the 442nd RCT’s rescue of the “Lost Battalion” and benefits for Filipino veterans. Community news covered the Minidoka feedlot and power line dispute, the Pinedale Assembly Center Memorial and Little Tokyo concerns over a Metro rail plan. Nine pages carry New Year greetings.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• The P.C. Is a Reflection of Our Community, by Margie Yamamoto, page 2. Margie Yamamoto reflects on how the New Year draws her back to her Japanese roots and her efforts to document her family’s history. She emphasizes the Pacific Citizen’s value as a resource for understanding JA community life and urges readers to prioritize saving family stories.
• 81 Years of Covering JACL, the APA Community, by Caroline Aoyagi-Stom, page 2. Caroline Aoyagi-Stom reviews the Pacific Citizen’s ongoing commitment to covering JACL and APA news even as other ethnic newspapers have closed. She highlights the paper’s financial structure, growth of its web presence, and the importance of reader feedback on the future of the print edition.
• A Reality Check, by Brian Morishita, page 6. Intermountain District Governor Brian Morishita questions whether JACL is still needed given declining membership, then recounts two incidents in Idaho Falls—a racial slur used against Ichiro Suzuki and a school district’s refusal to broadcast President Obama’s speech—that convinced him of JACL’s continued relevance. He calls for renewed efforts in recruiting and retaining members to sustain the organization’s civil rights advocacy.
• Whose JACL? Why Am I a Member?, by Sharon Ishii-Jordan, page 12. MDC District Governor Sharon Ishii-Jordan reflects on her multigenerational family’s deep ties to the Omaha JACL chapter and questions who will carry the organization forward as younger generations become more ethnically mixed. She concludes that despite changing demographics, JACL remains vital for battling discrimination and preserving JA history and heritage.
• A Reality Check (continued), by Brian Morishita, page 14. Continuing his earlier column, Morishita elaborates on the need for a strong JACL to shape the collective conscience of the country through education and advocacy. He urges members to become passionate about recruiting new members and retaining current ones to preserve JACL’s role as a civil rights stalwart.
• Taking JACL to a New Frontier (continued), by Toshi Abe, page 14. Abe continues his column advocating for JACL to embrace internet tools like Goodsearch and Goodshop to generate fundraising revenue through everyday online shopping. He expresses optimism about connecting with talented JACL members through better use of technology.
• Whose JACL? Why Am I a Member? (continued), by Sharon Ishii-Jordan, page 14. Ishii-Jordan concludes her reflection by issuing a challenge to readers whose families haven’t been involved in JACL to take the first step toward supporting the organization. She emphasizes that JACL needs both leaders and supporters to continue its mission for future generations.

JACL

• The 98th, by Larry Oda, page 3. JACL National President Larry Oda reflects on the organization’s 81-year history fighting discriminatory laws and reviews the group’s financial recovery in 2009. He encourages members to take advantage of leadership training programs and participate in the upcoming national convention in Chicago.
• Decade of Decision, by Floyd Mori, page 3. National Director Floyd Mori characterizes the past decade as one of determination and calls the coming decade the JACL’s ‘Decade of Decision.’ He argues the organization must reshape its structure, embrace youth leadership, shift toward digital communication, and add professionalism to its board to remain relevant.
• 2009 Marked With Success, But Much Work for JACL Remains, by Ron Katsuyama, page 4. Ron Katsuyama reviews JACL’s 2009 civil rights achievements, including hate crimes legislation, Filipino veterans compensation, and the White House Initiative on AAPIs. He outlines ongoing priorities for 2010 including health care reform, immigration reform, camp preservation, and overturning Proposition 8.
• 2009 Marked With Success, But Much Work for JACL Remains (continued): Program Update, by David Kawamoto, page 4. JACL Vice President David Kawamoto provides updates on programs under his purview including the Washington D.C. Gala, Leadership Program, Masaoka Fellowship, and Planned Giving efforts. He also details the growth of the National JACL Scholarship Program and announces that he and his wife Carol will step down from coordinating it after this biennium.
• Taking JACL to a New Frontier, by Toshi Abe, page 5. Eastern District Governor Toshi Abe credits the Pacific Citizen for inspiring him to join JACL and discusses challenges facing the organization, from Minidoka preservation to marriage equality and health care reform. He advocates for greater use of internet tools like Goodsearch and Goodshop to benefit JACL fundraising.
• Mentorship is the Key to JACL’s Success in 2010, by Brandon Mita, page 5. National Youth Representative Brandon Mita discusses the importance of mentorship in developing young JACL leaders, drawing on his own experience in the Chicago chapter. He announces a new mentorship program pairing youth members with convention delegates at the 2010 JACL National Convention in Chicago.
• JACL Be Nimble in the New Decade, by Chip Larouche, page 6. PNW District Governor Chip Larouche proposes that JACL consider holding a constitutional convention to modernize its outdated governance structure. Drawing on his military experience with base realignment, he argues that streamlining JACL’s bureaucracy would make the organization more cost-effective and nimble.
• National Board Leaders Take on Challenges in 2009, by P.C. Staff, page 11. JACL national board members faced significant challenges in 2009, particularly navigating the economic downturn’s effects on the organization. The board worked to maintain programs despite financial pressures.
• A Year of Strength, by Marcia Chung, page 12. Central California District Governor Marcia Chung recaps a successful 2009 including the tri-district conference and Pinedale Assembly Center Memorial dedication, plus ongoing memorial projects at Merced Fairgrounds and Fresno Fairgrounds. She reflects on the Chinese zodiac year of the ox and looks forward to the Year of the Tiger with hope for renewed community strength.
• Happy New Year from the PSW District, by Kerry Kaneichi, page 13. PSW District Governor Kerry Kaneichi credits a strong staff and volunteer base, including regional director Craig Ishii, for the district’s growth over the past several years. He highlights ongoing programs like Project: Community!, Bridging Communities, and Xing, along with fundraising events planned for the new year.

In-Depth

• 2009 Headlines: The Year in Photos, by P.C. Staff, page 7. A photo retrospective highlights major events of 2009 including Rep. Mike Honda’s involvement in reestablishing the White House Initiative on AAPIs and a UC Davis ceremony honoring George Masaaki Fukui. The feature captures moments described as moving the community to both tears and joy throughout the year.

National

• Love & Prop. 8: Newsmakers of 2009, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The California Supreme Court’s decision to uphold Proposition 8 left same-sex couples like Eileen Ma and Suyapa Portillo in legal limbo, fueling ongoing marriage equality battles nationwide. The page also profiles APA leaders who made national headlines in 2009, including Gary Locke, Eric Shinseki, Tammy Duckworth, Stuart Ishimaru, and Kalpen Modi.
• Journalist Roxana Saberi and the Return of Laura Ling and Euna Lee, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Journalist Roxana Saberi captured national attention after her arrest in Iran and later met with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton following her release. In August, journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee were released from North Korean imprisonment to widespread relief.
• Fighting Hate: JACL Takes on ‘The Goods’, by P.C. Staff, page 8. JACL led opposition against Paramount Pictures’ summer comedy ‘The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard’ over an anti-Asian scene. Studio executives subsequently met with the civil rights group, reinforcing that comedy does not excuse racism.
• APA Newspapers Fold as Pacific Citizen Enters Its Eighth Decade, by P.C. Staff, page 9. In a year that saw the closure of storied APA newspapers like AsianWeek, Hokubei Mainichi and the Nichi Bei Times, the Pacific Citizen crossed into its eighth decade of covering the APA community. The milestone underscores the paper’s resilience amid industry-wide decline.
• 65th Anniversary of the Rescue of the ‘Lost Battalion’, by P.C. Staff, page 9. Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, spoke with Medal of Honor recipient George ‘Joe’ Sakato at a tribute dinner marking the 65th anniversary of the rescue of the ‘Lost Battalion.’ The 442nd RCT’s 1944 rescue of the 141st Infantry Regiment in France’s Vosges Mountains was commemorated as a reunion of a lifetime for veterans of both regiments.
• Simpsons Get Postage Stamps While Nisei Veterans Wait, by P.C. Staff, page 9. Homer, Marge and their animated family were immortalized on commemorative U.S. postage stamps in 2009, while WWII Nisei veterans still await similar recognition. Community groups say the fight for a veterans’ stamp will continue into the new year.
• Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell: Lt. Dan Choi’s Fight, by P.C. Staff, page 9. Iraq War veteran Lt. Dan Choi was fired from the New York Army National Guard after publicly stating he is gay. Choi, 28, subsequently set out to overturn the military’s ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy.
• Benefits for Filipino Vets, by P.C. Staff, page 9. After years of advocacy, Filipino World War II veterans saw passage of the Filipino World War II Veterans Equity Compensation provision within the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The provision provided approximately $198 million in benefits to veterans who fought alongside American troops.
• First Lt. Ehren Watada Granted Discharge, by P.C. Staff, page 9. In October, the Army allowed First Lt. Ehren Watada, the first commissioned officer court-martialed for refusing deployment to Iraq, to resign. His attorney Kenneth Kagan said Watada was granted discharge ‘under other than honorable conditions.’

Community

• Coalition Opposes Feedlot and Power Line Near Minidoka, by P.C. Staff, page 10. A coalition of supporters including JACL came together to oppose a planned confined animal feeding operation and a proposed 500-kilovolt electric transmission line that could bisect the Minidoka Historic Site. The effort represents ongoing community advocacy for preservation of the WWII incarceration site.
• Pinedale Assembly Center Memorial Dedicated, by P.C. Staff, page 10. At the last JACL Tri-District Conference in Fresno, Calif., the Pinedale Assembly Center Memorial was dedicated, featuring a bronze water fountain designed by artist Gerard Tsutakawa. The Remembrance Fountain, inspired by the work of his father sculptor George Tsutakawa, brings together the elements of heaven, earth, man and life.
• Little Tokyo Groups Raise Concerns Over Metro Rail Plan, by P.C. Staff, page 10. APA community groups in Los Angeles’ Little Tokyo voiced concern over Metro’s plan to connect the Blue Line and Gold Line transit systems through the neighborhood. The proposal raised worries about impacts on the historic district.

Obituaries

• In Memoriam: Community Leaders Lost in 2009, by P.C. Staff, page 10. The Pacific Citizen remembers several notable community figures who passed in 2009, including Judge Sandra Otaka, historian Ronald Takaki, former legislator Nao Takasugi, JACL leader Art Koga, artist Shinkichi Tajiri, journalist Togo Tanaka, and JACLer Ruth Y. Hashimoto. Each is noted for significant contributions to civil rights, scholarship, arts, or community leadership.
• Paul Yoshio ‘Buck’ Hayashi, page 15. Paul Yoshio ‘Buck’ Hayashi, a WWII 442nd Infantry veteran awarded the Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts, passed away January 2, 2010 at age 87. He went on to serve in the Navy and Marine Corps for a distinguished 30-year military career before retiring in Seattle.
• Fumi Tanabe, page 15. Fumi Tanabe, a beloved wife, mother and grandmother known for her cooking, died December 22, 2009 at age 81. Born in Orting, Washington, her family was incarcerated at Minidoka during WWII, and she later became a longtime member of the Puyallup Valley JACL, serving as a chapter board member and recording secretary.
• Carnegie ‘Carney’ Ouye, Sr., page 15. Carnegie ‘Carney’ Ouye, Sr. passed away December 20, 2009 in Sacramento at age 88 after working 30 years at McClellan Air Force Base. He served as past president of the Sacramento JACL, testified before the Redress Commission, and was heavily involved in Presbyterian church governance and county aging commission work.

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