Vol. 80, No. 22, June 6, 1975. 4 pages. View this issue
A dispute over JACL leadership ran through the front page of this four-page issue. The Seattle chapter and the Pacific Northwest District Council asked the National Board to resolve charges against National Director David Ushio. The Midwest District Council sent a memorandum of about 50 questions, and a special National Board meeting was called for June 7 in San Francisco. Elsewhere on the page, National JACL President Shig Sugiyama spoke at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, honoring Japanese American service members.
Also inside: Ross Harano wrote about the JACL scholarship program, and two ministers, Rev. Lloyd Wake and Rev. Hogen Fujimoto, reflected on Vietnamese refugees. Stories covered a Contra Costa JACL family sponsorship and Congressman Norman Mineta’s $5 billion emergency jobs bill. Bill Hosokawa reported on the Nisei Relays, Harry Honda wrote about Japanese American roots, and a bill that could help the Little Tokyo community center was reported.
What’s in this issue
Military & Veterans
- At Arlington, by Shig Sugiyama, page 1. National JACL President Shig Sugiyama delivered remarks at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery during a wreath presentation honoring Japanese American service members. He urged Americans to honor the sacrifices of those who served and to commit to better understanding and cooperation among peoples.
- Nisei Relays cup, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Gardena JACL won the overall championship at the 24th annual JACL track and field meet at Harbor College with 243 points. The meet featured new events and participation from about 350 athletes, officials, and fans.
JACL
- PNW wants JACL air cleared, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Seattle JACL chapter and the Pacific Northwest District Council called for the National Board and Executive Committee to document and resolve charges against National Director David Ushio. The resolution urged an orderly investigation and a decision on his administration of the National Office.
- Workload of HQ staff charted, page 1. A chart prepared by National Director Murakami shows the approximate weekly hours spent by National JACL Headquarters staff on ongoing and special projects. The chart is described as a conservative estimate of how staff time is spent.
- Sumitomo renews collegiate awards, page 1. The Sumitomo Bank of California has reinstated two $500 collegiate scholarships for students in business, economics, banking, or international trade. Applications are due July 1, 1975 at National JACL Headquarters.
- MDC asks 50 questions of JACL leaders, page 1. The Midwest District Council submitted a memorandum raising about 50 questions across 15 areas of concern regarding actions of the National Executive Director and his administration. The MDC called for a National Board investigation to resolve the leadership problems.
- National JACL board called June 7 on leadership crisis, page 1. A special National JACL Board meeting will be held June 7 in San Francisco at the request of the MDC to examine JACL leadership problems. Fifteen of the 18 board members indicated they could attend.
- 100-page transcript of Mar. 9 PSWDC special session sent to Nat’l Board, page 1. The Southern California JACL Regional Office distributed a 100-page transcript of the March 9 PSWDC special meeting where National President Sugiyama and Executive Director Ushio answered delegate questions. The transcript covers recruitment, membership materials, the JACL logo, and other concerns.
- Japan-U.S. Friendship Act may help Little Tokyo Community Center, page 3. George Doizaki reported on meetings with U.S. senators and congressmen about S 524, the Japan-United States Friendship Act, which could provide funds for cultural centers like the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center. The bill proposes $32 million for cultural understanding between the two nations.
Community
- Seabrook to host June 14 EDC meet, page 1. The Eastern District Council will meet June 14 at Upper Deerfield Municipal Hall in Seabrook, New Jersey, with national issues and EDC projects on the agenda. An evening installation dinner-dance will follow featuring speaker K. Patrick Okura.
- Contra Costa JACLers helping Viet family, page 1. Two Contra Costa JACL families are sponsoring an 11-member Vietnamese refugee family and the nurse who helped them escape. They are requesting donations of clothing, blankets, food, and funds.
National
- Vietnamese: a resilient people, page 1. Experts quoted in the article describe Vietnamese refugees as adaptable and resilient, though some predict cultural and emotional difficulties in America. The piece also covers refugee morale at Camp Pendleton and some refugees’ desire to return home.
- Mineta authors emergency job $5 billion bill, page 1. Congressman Norman Mineta’s emergency employment bill authorizing up to $5 billion in federal grants for local public facilities projects passed the House 312-86 and began Senate hearings May 20. The bill provides direct 100% federal grants to state and local governments for projects that can start within 90 days.
Commentary
- The Japanese American Scholarship Program: Viewpoints and Direction, by Ross Harano, page 2. Ross Harano, National Scholarship and Student Aid Committee chairperson, discusses changes to the JACL scholarship program opened to all permanent resident students of Japanese ancestry. He explains the criteria, the increase in applicants, and plans to create a Scholarship Foundation.
- Views of Two Ministers, by Rev. Lloyd Wake; Rev. Hogen Fujimoto, page 2. Two ministers reflect on the Indochinese refugee issue, with one describing a visit to Camp Pendleton and the conditions refugees face. They draw connections between Japanese American history and the need to respond to the disadvantaged and powerless.
- Rep. Talcott’s letter, page 2. Congressman Talcott’s letter explains his controversial statements about the Midwest, which the editor’s note says were distributed to newspapers and the Japanese American press. The editorial response criticizes the racist content of the statement and questions the timing of the explanation.
- Editor’s Desk: Case of a school superintendent, by Harry K. Honda, page 2. Editor Harry Honda discusses the case of a school superintendent and the National JACL Board’s handling of the matter. He comments on the evaluation process and its implications.
In-Depth
- The Roots Go Deep, by Harry Honda, page 3. Harry Honda reflects on Japanese Americans’ long history in the United States and the tendency of others to view Asian Americans as newcomers. He argues that Japanese Americans have deep roots in the country.
Arts & Entertainment
- Good Writing, by Kats Kunitsugu, page 4. Kats Kunitsugu highlights a young writer’s prize-winning short story and reviews the Asian American issue of Yardbird Reader, edited by Frank Chin and Shawn Wong. The column praises several stories and writers included in the anthology.
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