Vol. 87, No. 3, July 28, 1978. 8 pages. View this issue
The 25th biennial JACL convention in Salt Lake City filled this issue. Dr. Clifford Uyeda, a retired pediatrician from San Francisco, was elected national president. Harry Honda reported on a record $806,500 budget and the other actions delegates took, and Sharon Suzuki wrote that delegates unanimously approved a redress proposal seeking $25,000 for each person of Japanese ancestry expelled or incarcerated during World War II. A Senate subcommittee also acted on retirement credit bills for Japanese Americans removed during the war.
Elsewhere, Joe Oyama profiled Sam I. Nakagama, a Nisei economist who warned that a depression was a real possibility. Bill Hosokawa wrote about the dedication of the Heart Mountain Camp Memorial Park and about a Supreme Court ruling on suits against federal officials. Sachi Seko remembered former JACL president George Inagaki, and the 442nd and 100th veterans’ reunion in Bruyeres, France, was covered.
What’s in this issue
National
- Depression ‘real possibility’ in U.S., says Nisei economist, by JOE OYAMA, page 1. Sam I. Nakagama, chief economist of Kidder Peabody, warns that a depression is a real possibility in the United States. He also criticizes the quality of current economic policymakers and advises caution for investors.
- Senate panel acts on retirement credit bills, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A Senate subcommittee favorably reported legislation granting civil service retirement credit to Japanese Americans evacuated or interned during WWII. The bill now moves to the full Senate Governmental Affairs Committee.
- Trade imbalance affects Japanese in U.S., by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL president Jim Murakami says economic friction between America and Japan is victimizing Japanese Americans, who are blamed for trade problems. JACL plans to encourage public relations efforts by Japanese firms to reduce hostility.
- House passes Asian Heritage Week resolution, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The House approved HJR 1007 authorizing a presidential proclamation of Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week each May. The measure was introduced by Reps. Horton and Mineta and supported by a coalition including JACL.
JACL
- Dr. Clifford Uyeda elected national JACL president, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Dr. Clifford Uyeda, a retired pediatrician from San Francisco, was elected national JACL president at the 25th biennial convention in Salt Lake City. He is the first president to rise from the grassroots, never having held a chapter or district executive post.
- …and what happened at the convention, by Harry Honda, page 1. The 25th biennial JACL convention approved a record $806,500 budget that raises national dues, and honored several members including Edward Yamamoto and the Seattle chapter. Delegates also mandated a planning committee on aging, rejected abolishing women’s auxiliaries, and approved concepts for redress legislation.
- JCCA president observes JACL, by P.C. Staff, page 6. George Imai, national president of the Japanese Canadian Citizens Assn., attended the 25th JACL convention as a special observer. He described parallel redress efforts in Canada and the country’s pressing minority rights issues.
- ACLU urged to put Asian American on its board, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The JACL Eastern District Council deplored the absence of an Asian American on the ACLU national board. It urged the ACLU to actively seek Asian American members.
- Salt Lake narrative, by Harry Honda, page 7. A convention narrative covering workshops on family, arts, and political awareness, the redress proposal, and the budget and constitutional actions. It also describes the Distinguished Public Service Award to Nobusuke Ushiba and the recognition luncheon.
Incarceration & Redress
- JACL redress bid to move forward, by Sharon Suzuki, page 1. Delegates unanimously approved a proposal seeking $25,000 redress for each person of Japanese ancestry expelled or incarcerated during World War II. The proposal’s five main points cover eligibility, payments, inclusion of Latin American Japanese, government processing, and a trust foundation.
Community
- Little control of alien land, by Washington Star, page 2. A General Accounting Office study found that although half the states restrict foreign farmland ownership, actual control is virtually nonexistent. States lack efficient methods to monitor growing foreign control of farmland.
- San Jose hot meal program continuing, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Japanese American Community Senior Service Yu-Ai nutrition program in San Jose, threatened by Prop. 13, will continue for another year with meals increased from 50 to 60 per day.
- Nisei Week ondo, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Ondo choreographer Kansuma Fujima and chairman Hideo Kikuchi announced practice sessions for the Nisei Week parade and ondo. Practices begin August 1 at the Hirohata Auto Park.
- Edward Takahashi fund established, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Friends of Spokane’s Ed Takahashi established a memorial fund to honor his service to family and community. Funds will support a stone lantern and landscaping at Hifumi En and other projects.
Military & Veterans
- Bruyeres TV special, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Hawaii public television station KHET filmed the 34th reunion in Bruyeres, France, of the 442nd and 100th veterans for a one-hour special, with a second program planned on their history.
- Story of the Week, by P.C. Staff, page 5. A 1943 retrospective wartime news column recounts Kathleen Isei giving blood for Free China soldiers and the 442nd winning a baseball championship. It also notes the WRA designation of Tule Lake as a segregation center.
Obituaries
- The Fishing Trip to Be, by Sachi Seko, page 3. Sachi Seko recounts how former JACL presidents Hito Okada and George Inagaki planned a fishing reunion despite their illnesses. Okada reflects on Inagaki’s death and on the changes in JACL since their era.
Commentary
- From Happy Valley, by Sachi Seko, page 3. Seko reflects on JACL’s changing spirit since the postwar years and the contributions of past presidents. She highlights the late George Inagaki and the friendship that sustained him.
- Should we laugh?, by Henry S. Sakai, page 4. A letter writer argues that the term Jap has a racial connotation and should be corrected rather than laughed off. He cites Ethnic Concerns Committee efforts against Kenzo’s Jap labels.
- Court says government officials can be sued, by Bill Hosokawa, page 4. Hosokawa examines a Supreme Court ruling allowing personal suits against federal officials and its potential bearing on the WWII evacuation and the JACL redress proposal. He argues the 1944 Korematsu decision still stands as precedent.
- Camp Honor Roll, by Bill Hosokawa, page 5. Hosokawa describes the dedication of the Heart Mountain Camp Memorial Park, built by homesteaders Chester and Mary Ruth Blackburn. He recounts the efforts to restore the camp’s war memorial and the simple dedication ceremony.
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