Vol. 82, No. 11, March 19, 1976. 6 pages. View this issue
The JACL National Board’s proposed $470,000 budget for FY 1977-78 led the news. Harry Honda reported on the board’s debate over must and want lists, funding for district programs and the Pacific Citizen’s own budget, while Yuki Harada covered the Pacific Northwest-Intermountain District’s talks on the Portland regional office. An editorial, “Looking at the JACL Budget,” asked national officers to share budget information before the Sacramento convention.
NBC’s Farewell to Manzanar drew an editorial, a letter from author Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston and Bill Marutani’s tribute to a colleague he called Mas. Edison Uno wrote about Gordon Hirabayashi, and S. I. Hayakawa and reader Masaru Odo took up redress for the World War II incarceration. Frank Sakamoto reviewed Michi Weglyn’s Years of Infamy, and Honda reviewed Bamboo People. Pacific Overtures on Broadway, with an interview with Mako, and the JACL scholarship deadline also appear.
What’s in this issue
JACL
- JACL National Board Concludes Budget Discussion for FY 1977-78, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The JACL National Board finalized the proposed FY 1977-78 budget of $470,000 after lengthy deliberation over must and want lists. Board members debated cuts, district funding, and the need to avoid further deficits.
- Chapter Membership Progress and 1976 Membership Figures, by P.C. Staff, page 1. National JACL headquarters reported 1976 membership progress, with several chapters exceeding last year’s totals. Two new chapters were also noted in the early-year figures.
- JACL Scholarship Awarded to Top Freshman Applicants, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The National JACL scholarship committee announced award winners and encouraged donations to scholarship trust accounts. Applicants were reminded of the April 1 deadline and requirements.
- Looking at the JACL Budget, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The editorial reviews the proposed $470,000 National JACL budget and the history of budget deficits and dues increases. It urges national officers to share budget information in advance of the Sacramento convention.
Commentary
- Bamboo People Relates Legal History of Japanese in America, by Harry Honda, page 1. A review of Bamboo People, a book by Shigeo Wakamatsu covering legal history of Japanese Americans during WWII, written for the lay reader. The book is expected to be discussed at the JACL convention.
- Requiem for Our Anchor Man, by Bill Marutani, page 2. A tribute to Mas, remembered for his selfless dedication, integrity, and generosity to those he worked with. The column closes with the Japanese phrase Yoku yatte kureta as a fitting summary of his life.
- Hirabayashi, by Edison Uno, page 2. Edison Uno honors Gordon Hirabayashi, whose Supreme Court challenge to wartime curfew and evacuation orders he considers courageous. Uno shares a War Department memorandum documenting Hirabayashi’s refusal to complete a draft questionnaire.
- Farewell to Manzanar, by Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston, page 3. Author Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston thanks the community for supporting the film Farewell to Manzanar and defends director John Kerty against criticism. She notes the film is a drama based on one family’s experience, not a documentary of all internees.
- Concentration Camps, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A reader letter debates whether the term concentration camp should be applied to WWII relocation centers. The writer argues for precise terminology while acknowledging the differences from European camps.
- E.O. 9066 Rescinded, by Masaru Odo, page 3. A reader proposes that Congress pay $1,000 to each evacuee to provide financial redress for losses suffered during WWII incarceration. The writer argues the plan is simple to implement and cost-effective.
- Our Readers, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Reader letters on wartime terminology and redress proposals. Letters appeared in the letters column of this issue.
- Pacific Overtures, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A reflection on the Broadway musical Pacific Overtures and its mixed critical reception. The column highlights the staging and Mako’s comments.
- Reparations for Relocation?, by S. I. Hayakawa, page 4. Dr. S.I. Hayakawa’s column addresses the JACL Seattle chapter’s proposal for redress for WWII imprisonment of Japanese Americans. The column was released to the PC at the author’s request.
Community
- PC Budget Challenged at Board Meeting, by Harry Honda, page 1. PC Board chairman Al Hatate defended the Pacific Citizen budget against cuts, while the Board trimmed funds for a new magazine. Production and mailing cost increases may force fewer issues per year.
- Pacific Northwest-Intermountain District Weighs Future of Portland Regional Office, by Yuki Harada, page 1. Delegates at the Salt Lake City IDC meeting debated whether to maintain the Portland regional office and approved budget controls. The discussion centered on cost reduction and budget accountability.
- Berkeley JACL Honors Members and Plans Programs, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Berkeley chapter honored four longtime members, highlighted civic involvement, and outlined spring activities including a social, an Easter egg hunt, and a local history project. The chapter also aims to reach 400 members this year.
- Cartoon Gallery Displays Caricatures of Japanese Americans, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A caricature exhibit at the Japan Center office of California First Bank featured works by Jack Matsuoka alongside national cartoonists. The show highlighted leading Japanese American figures.
- Seattle JACL Project Supports Youth Groups, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Seattle JACL awarded grants of up to $100 each to ten Asian youth group projects in the area. The grants reflect the chapter’s commitment to supporting youth in the Asian community.
Arts & Entertainment
- Farewell to Manzanar, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The editorial reviews NBC-TV’s broadcast of Farewell to Manzanar, praising its cast and staging while noting it omits many aspects of the incarceration experience. The film is described as a drama rather than a documentary.
- Pacific Overtures on Broadway, by P.C. Staff, page 2. A review of the Broadway musical Pacific Overtures and an interview with actor Mako about the production and audience reactions. Mako discusses the show’s challenges and its portrayal of Japanese history.
- Years of Infamy Reviewed as Important Account of Japanese American Incarceration, by Frank Sakamoto, page 4. Dr. Frank Sakamoto reviews Michi Weglyn’s book Years of Infamy, which documents the wartime incarceration of Japanese Americans. He describes it as a revealing book every American should read.
Military & Veterans
- Rice Act Passed Despite Senate Filibuster, by Les Hiraoka, page 3. The Rice Production Act of 1975 cleared the Senate after proponents defeated a filibuster and won cloture by a 70-19 vote. The bill was passed in the Senate 75-13 after a year of intensive lobbying.
Obituaries
- Deaths, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Brief notices of recent deaths in the Japanese American community. Entries are listed with names, ages, and dates.
Sports
- Sports Scene, by P.C. Staff, page 5. A roundup of Japanese American sports news including the Hawaii Golden Gloves and notes on local athletes. Results and events are reported briefly.
Thank you for exploring the Pacific Citizen archive. The title, introduction and contents on this page were written by an AI model from scans of the printed issue, so they may contain mistakes. If you spot one, we would be grateful if you let us know.