Support for Mineta’s retirement credit bill for camp survivors

Vol. 85, No. 3, July 15, 1977. 8 pages. View this issue

Congressman Norman Mineta’s bill to give federal civil service retirement credit to Japanese Americans who were forced from their homes and incarcerated in World War II camps led the news. Two Washington columnists, Bill Andronicos of the Federal Times and Joseph Young of the Washington Star, backed it, and Washington JACL urged members to press Congress for early hearings. Elsewhere in this eight-page issue, Bill Marutani wrote about Earl Warren’s memoir and its treatment of the wartime removal, and Wayne Horiuchi reported on JACL’s objection to a Kodak proposal to print ‘Remember Pearl Harbor’ on film packs.

Also inside: a San Benito citizens committee formed after a teacher used a racial slur, and Senator Spark Matsunaga’s call for affirmative action plans for Asian Americans in the military. Bill Hosokawa wrote on Asian American cooperation in a Philadelphia judicial race. Chapter news from Fremont, Fresno, Diablo Valley, Milwaukee and New Mexico fills page 6, and page 3 follows a Sun Building clearing in Little Tokyo.

What’s in this issue

Incarceration & Redress

• Capital columnists back evacuee bill, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Two Washington newspaper columnists endorsed Congressman Norman Mineta’s bill granting federal civil service retirement credit to Japanese Americans evacuated and interned during WWII. Washington JACL urged members to press Congress to hold early hearings on the measure.

Community

• Citizens committee formed to probe educational system in San Benito, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A Citizens Action League for Better Education was formed after a San Benito High School teacher used a racial slur against Japanese Americans. The group, chaired by San Benito County JACL president Kiyoshi Kawasaki, will examine racism on campus and school policies.
• Tulare County grand jury names Shimasaki foreman, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Tom Shimasaki of Visalia was chosen foreman of the 1977-78 Tulare County grand jury, which also includes Linda Sumida. Judge Jay Ballantyne described the jury’s role as acting as ombudsmen for county residents.
• Little Tokyo Towers scholarship benefit planned, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Friends of George Knox Roth received initial contributions for a dinner honoring the teacher who tried to counter anti-Nisei hysteria in 1942. The dinner is scheduled for August 13 at Little Tokyo Towers.
• Nisei upgrades nurserymen in thorough 3-hour exam, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Yo Terada was named Nurseryman of the Year by the Centinela chapter of the California Association of Nurserymen for pioneering nursery certification exams. The certification program, developed over eight years with university professors, now has over 1,000 certified nurserymen.
• Homecast Japanese TV programs on UHF-18, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Homecast Japanese-language program began broadcasting on New UHF-TV 18 (KSCD) in San Bernardino. Homecast president Noboru Shirai said programs will continue with English subtitles.
• Sumitomo Bank successful in bidding for 19 BanCal offices, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Sumitomo Bank of California won bids to acquire 19 BanCal branches for $19.9 million, nearly doubling its California presence. Bank president Yoshio Tada said the acquisition fits the bank’s long-range marketing program.
• Marshals clear Sun Bldg. in surprise pre-dawn raid, by P.C. Staff, page 3. County marshals cleared the Sun Building in Little Tokyo for demolition after ejecting two LTPRO members occupying the site. The members had picketed the day before in anticipation of the confrontation.
• L.A. marts get U.S. funds, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Federal grants of $3 million for the downtown flower market and about $750,000 for the produce market were announced by Mayor Bradley. The redevelopment is expected to preserve about 5,100 jobs.
• Matsushita offers Nisei Week prize, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Matsushita Electric Corp. of America is sponsoring Miss Nisei Week’s trip to Japan in October. The queen will be selected at the coronation ball on August 20.
• Fremont JACL honors grads, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Fremont JACL honored graduates at a June 5 luncheon where Dr. Tom Taketa spoke on job discrimination against Japanese Americans. Chapter president Bill Sakakura presented scholarship awards to several students.
• Fresno JACL planning $10,000 scholars’ fund, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Fresno ALL/JACL scholarship fund aims to raise $10,000 over five years, with about $3,250 already in sight. Two $100 awards will be available in summer 1978, one for a college freshman and one for an upper-division media student.
• Diablo Valley sets first inaugural date, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The newly formed Diablo Valley JACL will hold its first installation dinner July 15 at the Concord Sheraton Inn with National Executive Director Karl Nobuyuki as speaker. Chapter president Hiroshi Morodomi will be installed along with other officers.
• Nikkei songwriters beckoned, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Radio Li’l Tokyo is sponsoring a song writing contest to celebrate its 25th anniversary, with a $100 prize and a gala stage show on December 3. Entries are due by August 15 with original lyrics and music.
• Milwaukee JACL day at the races and Herb Day Fair, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Milwaukee JACL chapter planned a busload trip to the races on July 23 and participation in the Herb Day Fair featuring orientally flavored herbs and a Japanese tea ceremony. The chapter also honored four high school graduates.
• New Mexico JACL holds inaugural picnic, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The New Mexico JACL held its first chapter picnic June 26 in the Manzano Mountains with over 100 attendees. Future planned events include a flea market fundraiser and an arts and crafts festival.
• San Mateo JACL awards scholarships, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Six recent high school graduates received $100 scholarships from the San Mateo JACL based on school achievement, community service and personal interview. The chapter also raised over $1,300 at a scholarship benefit movie.
• Cleveland JACL community picnic, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Cleveland JACL held its annual community picnic on July 3 at Stone Hill Park, raising funds for chapter scholarships. Activities marked the last day of the U.S. Bicentennial.
• East Los Angeles JACL steak bake benefit, by P.C. Staff, page 6. East Los Angeles JACL will hold its JWRO benefit steak bake on July 17 at Whittier Narrows Recreation Park. Tickets are $4 for adults and $3 for children 10 and under.
• French Camp JACL bazaar planned, by P.C. Staff, page 6. French Camp JACL will hold its annual bazaar on July 23 at the Community Hall to raise funds for center maintenance and chapter activities. The event features games, food and sushi.
• Fresno JACL dinner features emergency medical services talk, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Dr. Tetsuo Shigyo will speak on developing emergency medical services systems at the Fresno ALL/JACL dinner meeting July 22. Reservations are $5.50 per person.
• Diablo Valley JACL to discuss group health insurance, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Diablo Valley JACL will hold a meeting July 21 at the Sun Valley Auditorium to discuss group health insurance. The meeting begins at 7:30 p.m.
• South Bay JACL to host chapter queen reception, by P.C. Staff, page 6. South Bay JACL will host a community reception for chapter queen Donna Fukuto on July 17 at the Sumitomo Bank in Torrance. Fukuto is a candidate for Miss Nisei Week.
• Hawaii chamber appoints Lawrence Nakatsuka, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Lawrence K. Nakatsuka, a former aide to Senator Hiram Fong and former Washington JACL president, was named manager of the Government Affairs Department of the Hawaii Chamber of Commerce. He previously was a reporter and press secretary in Hawaii.

National

• PACIFIC CITIZEN hit for lack of affirmative plan, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Senator Spark Matsunaga wrote to Defense Secretary Harold Brown calling for a better equal employment program and separate affirmative action plans for Asian Americans in the military and DOD civilian workforce. He cited statistics showing very few Asian American officers and senior enlisted personnel.
• Mineta visit of So. Korea in ’75 recalled, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Rep. Norman Mineta said he accepted but did not cash in gambling casino chips offered during an August 1975 visit to Seoul, and that he was not lobbied on Korea’s behalf. The statement responded to questions raised about the trip.
• Gov. Brown choice of doctor protested, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Chinese for Affirmative Action protested Governor Brown’s nomination of Dr. Michael Geokas to the State Board of Medical Quality Assurance after a federal examiner found he committed racial discrimination against Dr. Edmund Jung. Henry Der urged the governor to withdraw the nomination.
• Utah appointed to Carter mental health task force, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Dr. Wilfred Higashi, Utah state director of mental health services and former Intermountain District JACL board member, was appointed to President Carter’s task force on mental health. The task force’s recommendations on training and funding go directly to the President.
• Extradition pact with Japan under revision, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Negotiations to revise the US-Japan extradition treaty resumed, with Japan proposing 50 additional offenses such as bribery, hijacking and drug trafficking. The current treaty lists 15 offenses.

Commentary

• Mr. Miki’s Address, by Harry K. Honda, page 4. Former Japanese prime minister Takeo Miki addressed the San Francisco Commonwealth Club on the future of democracy in Japan, arguing it is secure and deeply rooted in history. He also identified governability challenges such as bureaucratic inefficiency and global economic problems that democracies must address together.
• The King & I, by Beatrice Kirshenbaum, page 4. A reader recalls finding The King and I charming as a film but offensive as a musical, believing it belittles Asians. She notes she left feeling it was wrong.
• Bakke Case, by Masaru Odoi, page 4. A letter writer criticizes JACL for supporting the University of California Regents in the Bakke case without explaining the reasoning to members. He argues members deserve an explanation for supporting an affirmative action program that discriminates against Japanese Americans.
• Think ‘American’, by Betty Kukita Perry, page 4. A reader argues that minority groups demanding special treatment hurt national morale and that all Americans should think of themselves as American. She asserts jobs should be earned through qualifications rather than skin color or quotas.
• Wave of the Future: Asian American Togetherness, by Bill Hosokawa, page 4. A Nisei judicial candidate in Philadelphia describes the unselfish cooperation of Asian American supporters from many ancestries in his campaign. He argues this demonstrates Asian Americans can and should work together toward common goals.
• Fight Goes On, by Wayne Horiuchi, page 5. JACL’s Washington office objected to a Kodak vice president’s proposal to print ‘Remember Pearl Harbor’ on film packs, and Kodak’s corporate relations officer apologized. Horiuchi urges members to identify and expose racial slurs against Japanese Americans.
• Warren’s Memoirs, by Bill Marutani, page 5. Marutani examines Earl Warren’s memoir expressing regret for advocating the WWII evacuation of Japanese Americans. He argues Warren ignored the constitutional issues in the Korematsu and related cases and gave the subject far less space than other episodes.
• East Wind, by Bill Marutani, page 5. Marutani examines Earl Warren’s memoir expressing regret for advocating the WWII evacuation of Japanese Americans. He argues Warren ignored the constitutional issues in the Korematsu and related cases and gave the subject far less space than other episodes.
• Just About Youth, by Randy Chin, page 5. NYCC Chairperson Randy Chin explains why he, a Chinese American, belongs to JAYs and how the organization built his confidence and lasting friendships. He describes his decision to accept the national chairmanship despite doubting his qualifications.

Sports

• National JACL Masao W. Satow Memorial handicap tournament, by Chiz Satow, page 5. The first National JACL Masao W. Satow Memorial handicap bowling tournament was held in the Bay Area with good quality and conviviality. Credit went to Alameda chapter president Hi Akagi and his committee, and proceeds support writing the JACL Story.

Military & Veterans

• Hiroshima maiden credits U.S. family for inner peace, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Michiko Sako, one of the 25 Hiroshima maidens brought to America for plastic surgery, describes overcoming bitterness after being disfigured by the atomic bomb. She credits the Miller family of Ridgewood, New Jersey, for restoring her self-acceptance.

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