Vol. 89, No. 52, July 20, 1979. 8 pages. View this issue
Redress led the news in this 8-page issue. JACL chapters voted by a 5 to 1 margin to back the commission approach, and National Redress Committee chair John Tateishi said the result showed substantial support and that the organization could now unite behind the campaign. Rep. Norman Mineta praised the Nisei who served in the Military Intelligence Service in the Pacific, and spoke again at a naturalization ceremony in San Jose. Ron Ikejiri wrote about a proposed constitutional amendment on school assignment, and JACL President Clifford Uyeda looked back on a year since the Salt Lake City convention.
Elsewhere in the paper, John Ryosuke Funakoshi celebrated his 100th birthday, Karen Yamashita won the $1,000 Clavell Prize, and John J. Saito listed more Nisei nominees. Reviews covered Pacific Overtures in Los Angeles and Wakako Yamauchi’s play in New York, and Harry Honda, Terry Ishihara and Nobuyuki Nakajima wrote commentary.
What’s in this issue
National
- Mineta Lauds Nisei MIS Role During WW2 in Pacific Theater, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Rep. Norman Mineta praised the Nisei who served in the Military Intelligence Service and other U.S. forces in the Pacific during World War II. He stressed that Japanese Americans have experienced both the best and worst of American life.
- JACL Chapters Vote on National Redress Commission Approach, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Chapters voted by a 5 to 1 margin to support the commission approach for redress, which National Redress Committee chair John Tateishi said showed substantial support. The results will move the national organization to unite behind the campaign and seek introduction of a bill.
- ID Card Returned to Aged Alien Who Faced Bond Requirement, by P.C. Staff, page 1. An immigration official in Honolulu returned the passport and alien ID card of 86-year-old Calixta Rabaino and waived a bond requirement after she had been asked to pledge not to apply for SSI. Advocates in Hawaii and Oakland criticized the policy as unfair to long-term residents.
- House Passes Its Own Education Department Bill, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The House passed by a narrow vote a bill creating a cabinet-level Department of Education that would consolidate 160 federal programs. JACL supported the new agency, though the House version includes amendments barring forced busing and favoring voluntary prayer.
- Electoral College Abolition Resolution Defeated in Senate, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Senate defeated a resolution to replace the Electoral College with direct popular election of the President. Black and Jewish groups supported retaining the system to preserve minority voting influence.
- Bill Proposed for Mexican Temporary Worker Visa Program, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Sens. S.I. Hayakawa and Harrison Schmitt introduced S. 1427 to create a temporary worker visa program between the U.S. and Mexico. The bill aims to address uncontrolled undocumented migration from Mexico.
Community
- JACCC Japanese Garden Work Commences, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Construction work began on the Japanese garden at the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center in Los Angeles. The article reports on the start of the project.
- Chuman Tribute for Scouting Role Set, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A dinner honoring Frank Chuman as the first Japanese American to receive the Boy Scouts of America Distinguished Eagle Scout Award is planned for Aug. 29 in Los Angeles. The award recognizes at least 25 years of outstanding service.
- Nikkei Legal Advice on SSI and Foreign Travel, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Recipients of Supplemental Security Income may still travel abroad and return if they show intent to return and did not leave the U.S. permanently. The article gives guidance on factors such as length of absence and advises consulting Asian Law Caucus or Nihonmachi Legal Outreach.
- Centenarian John Ryosuke Funakoshi Celebrates 100th Birthday, by P.C. Staff, page 3. John Ryosuke Funakoshi celebrated his 100th birthday in Los Angeles with a dinner attended by 280 people. The article traces his life from Fukuoka to Colorado, through wartime incarceration, and to a scholarship established in his name.
- Sansei Slain in Apple Valley, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Carol Hiroko Kumagai, 35, of San Jose was found shot to death in the Apple Valley home of attorney John Delatore, who was arrested by San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputies. The investigation was ongoing at the time of reporting.
- Ex-Kamikaze Pilot Teaches English at Michigan State, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Shigeo Imamura, a former Kamikaze pilot who was never launched, now teaches English to foreign students at Michigan State University. He reflects on the fanatical devotion that once drove him and on his postwar life.
In-Depth
- J. William Fulbright Says Japan Has Learned the Secret for Humanity: Make Cultural Development, Not War, by Barbara Ota, page 2. Former Sen. J. William Fulbright told a Japan America Society audience that Japan has chosen cultural and economic development over warfare. He also said U.S. military strength exists to protect America itself rather than Japan.
Obituaries
- Palmer Hoyt, Former Denver Post Editor, Dies at 82, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Palmer Hoyt, editor-publisher of the Denver Post until his retirement, died June 25 at age 82. He was an outspoken critic of Sen. Joseph McCarthy and headed the paper for 25 years.
- Fr. James S. Tokwhisa, Maryknoll Missionary, Dies, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Fr. James S. Tokwhisa, Maryknoll’s first Japanese American priest, died July 4 in Japan after cancer surgery. He spent most of his 30 years of missionary work in the Kyoto area.
Arts & Entertainment
- Woman Writer Wins $1,000 Clavell Prize, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Karen Yamashita of Gardena, living in Sao Paulo, won the first American Japanese national literary award, a $1,000 prize from author James Clavell. The award was announced at the Miss Teen Sansei Pageant.
- Pacific Overtures at East West Players, by P.C. Staff, page 4. East West Players in Los Angeles staged Pacific Overtures, the Sondheim musical about Commodore Perry opening Japan. The production drew praise for its Kabuki-influenced staging.
- Nisei Who’ve Influenced America, by John J. Saito, page 5. John J. Saito lists additional Nisei nominees who have made important contributions to American life, spanning business, arts, law, and sports. Further nominations were invited.
- Wakako Yamauchi’s Play And the Soul Shall Dance Draws Praise, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Wakako Yamauchi’s play And the Soul Shall Dance, produced by Pan Asian Repertory Theatre in New York, received positive reviews for its portrait of Japanese farmers during the Depression. Critics praised its staging and themes.
Commentary
- Uyeda: One Whole Year, by Clifford Uyeda, page 4. JACL President Clifford Uyeda reviews a year since the Salt Lake City convention, noting progress in ethnic concerns and coalitions while flagging membership renewals as a priority. He also discusses youth program challenges and the appointment of a new National Youth Director.
- Affirmative Action with Asian Accent, by Terry Ishihara, page 4. Terry Ishihara, of the Hoosier JACL, describes attending a Pan Asian Affirmative Action workshop in Chicago. He reflects on the shared concerns of Pan Asian Americans and the need for greater assertiveness on common issues.
- Time Ripe for Japan to Change, by Nobuyuki Nakajima, page 4. Nobuyuki Nakajima proposes that Japan invest in building American universities to help correct the trade imbalance. He argues that educational investment would benefit both nations beyond economics.
- Honda: Christianity and Individual Responsibility, by Harry Honda, page 5. Harry Honda argues that Christian teaching calls individuals to devote their lives to God and helping others rather than exploiting them. He connects this to critiques of materialism and social Darwinism in American life.
- Mottl Amendment Threatens Desegregation Gains, by Ron Ikejiri, page 6. Ron Ikejiri explains a proposed constitutional amendment by Rep. Ron Mottl that would limit student assignment to the nearest school and effectively reverse Brown v. Board of Education. He notes JACL opposition and quotes Leadership Conference on Civil Rights criticism.
Military & Veterans
- 35 Years Ago: July 15, 1944, by P.C. Staff, page 5. A look back at July 1944 events, including NBC commentator praise for the Nisei role in the Pacific, legal challenges to military exclusion orders, and the 100th Infantry’s combat in Italy.
- Nisei Veterans Honored in Naturalization Ceremony Remarks, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Rep. Norman Mineta addressed a naturalization ceremony in San Jose, reminding new citizens of the sacrifices of Nisei soldiers and his parents’ immigrant experience. He emphasized the fragility of constitutional protections.
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