Portland convention proposals and the legacy of Earl Warren

Vol. 79, No. 3, July 19, 1974. 6 pages. View this issue

The 23rd biennial National JACL Convention in Portland was the main subject of this six-page issue. Seventeen program propositions, thirteen constitutional amendments and 16 by-law amendments were laid out for delegates, and the Pacific Southwest District Council reviewed them along with a proposed $562,900 budget. Columns by George Yamasaki Jr., Jerry Enomoto and Bill Marutani weighed the citizenship requirement, the president-elect system and gifts from Japanese corporations. Ambassador U. Alexis Johnson was named to receive the Mike M. Masaoka Distinguished Public Service Award.

Harry K. Honda and an editorial looked at Earl Warren, his civil rights rulings and his later regret over the wartime incarceration of Japanese Americans. Also inside are Henry Tanaka on a proposal to move the Pacific Citizen, Bill Hosokawa on interracial marriage and the future of JACL, a farewell to Kango Kunitsugu of the Little Tokyo Redevelopment Project, and a review of Natsume Soseki’s novel Mon.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• Encouraging Words, by Henry Tanaka, page 1. Henry Tanaka responds to remarks about the Pacific Southwest District’s input and discusses the Public Relations Commission’s proposal to move the Pacific Citizen operation. He argues that communication between national and district levels can be improved through open exchange and district council attendance.
• Encouraging Words (Editorial), page 2. The editorial praises JACL’s commitment to civil rights and quotes Chief Justice Warren’s regret over the wartime evacuation. It urges members to remember the dignity of all persons.
• Battling Windmills and Earl Warren’s Legacy, by Harry K. Honda, page 2. The column recounts Earl Warren’s landmark civil rights rulings and his later regret over supporting the Japanese American evacuation. It notes the contrast between his judicial record and his wartime actions.
• Constitutional Changes and Membership Requirements, by George Yamasaki Jr., page 3. Proposed amendments would drop the citizenship requirement from the JACL preamble and remove the 18-year-old age requirement for membership. The article presents the rationale for these changes as consistent with JACL’s goals.
• Nikkei Viewpoint on Japanese Corporate Contributions to JACL, by Bill Marutani, page 4. The column raises concerns about accepting contributions from Japanese corporations and banks to JACL. It argues such funding could compromise JACL’s independence and invite charges of being a front for foreign interests.
• Activities and Perspectives: Convention Propositions, by Jerry Enomoto, page 4. A former JACL president comments on the proposal to eliminate the president-elect position and on a resolution about discriminatory policies within JACL. He supports open membership while defending ethnic scholarship and bowling events.
• Nisei Issues: Interracial Marriage and the Future of JACL, by Bill Hosokawa, page 4. The column discusses the future of JACL in light of interracial marriage and Sansei participation. It argues the organization should be inclusive and welcome families of mixed marriages.
• Kunitsugu Resigns from Little Tokyo Redevelopment Project, by Kats Kunitsugu, page 4. Kango Kunitsugu resigned as project manager of the Little Tokyo Redevelopment Project after years of work. The column describes his contributions and the project’s challenges, including plans for low-income Issei housing and a community center.
• Book Review: The Mediocre Middle-Class Life by Natsume Soseki, by Allan Beekman, page 5. The review examines Natsume Soseki’s novel Mon, centering on Sosuke and Oyone’s troubled marriage. It praises the characterization while noting weaknesses in plot construction and style.

JACL

• Seventeen Propositions Dealing with JACL Program Expansion Head to Portland Convention, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Seventeen convention propositions cover youth internships, public relations offices, development funds, reparations legislation, legal staff, and retirees programs, each with proposed budgets. The propositions are to be considered by delegates at the Portland National Convention.
• Ambassador Johnson to Receive Masaoka Award at Portland Convention, by P.C. Staff, page 1. U.S. Ambassador U. Alexis Johnson has been named recipient of the Mike M. Masaoka Distinguished Public Service Award, JACL’s highest honor. The award will be presented at the International Friendship Dinner during the Portland convention.
• Thirteen Constitutional Amendments and 16 By-law Amendments Proposed for Portland Convention, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Thirteen amendments to the National JACL constitution and 16 to the by-laws have been proposed for action at the 23rd biennial convention. Ratification requires a three-fourths vote of chartered chapters present and voting.
• PSW Reviews Convention Issues, District Funding, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Pacific Southwest District Council reviewed convention resolutions, proposals, and the proposed $562,900 JACL budget at its July 7 meeting. Delegates discussed budget priorities, the citizenship requirement, and the president-elect system.
• Greetings from the Convention Board, by Dr. James Tsujimura, page 2. Convention Board co-chairman Dr. James Tsujimura welcomes delegates to Portland and describes the planning effort behind the 23rd biennial National JACL Convention. He emphasizes the value of member participation and volunteerism.
• Cleveland JACL Sets Up Nikkei Lounge at Senior Housing Project, page 5. Cleveland JACL dedicated a Japanese-style Nikkei Lounge at the Euclid Villa senior housing apartments for Issei residents. The project was funded partly by the Cleveland Japanese American Foundation and was intended to help residents feel at home.

Incarceration & Redress

• Earl Warren, by Harry K. Honda, page 1. The article reviews Earl Warren’s career, including his civil rights leadership as Chief Justice and his support for the wartime evacuation of Japanese Americans as California Attorney General. It notes his later expressions of regret about the internment.

Military & Veterans

• Rep. Peter Rodino and Impeachment Inquiry Resolution, page 4. A resolution supports Henry Tanaka’s letter to House Judiciary Committee chairman Peter Rodino regarding the Nixon impeachment inquiry. The resolution commends the letter as a proper exercise of JACL leadership.
• Pacific Citizen Editorial on Wartime Japanese American Experiences, page 6. This item summarizes wartime Japanese American experiences and the importance of remembering the incarceration. It urges continued public education about the era.

Community

• Utahns Celebrate WIMBO Week at Hill AFB, by Tomoko Yano, page 4. Salt Lake JACL’s Tom Sutow led a week of Asian culture programs at Hill Air Force Base in July. Speakers and performances represented several Asian communities.
• Stockton JACL Awards Five Scholarships, page 5. Stockton JACL presented five scholarships and three achievement awards at its June 23 luncheon. Keynote speaker Linda Kato described her experience at the Presidential Classroom for Young Americans.

Arts & Entertainment

• The Two Worlds of Jim Yoshida, by Bill Hosokawa, page 6. A book description of Jim Yoshida’s memoir recounts his experiences as a Hawaii-born Nisei, including wartime service and his efforts to regain U.S. citizenship. Senator Daniel Inouye provides the foreword.

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