Vol. 76, No. 22, June 8, 1973. 6 pages. View this issue
Youth work in JACL opened this issue. National JACL President Henry T. Tanaka reported on the National Youth Coordinating Council’s Memorial Day weekend meetings in Chicago, covering the Project of the Biennium, a planned workshop in Windsor, Ont., and a Tri-District JAYs Conference in Riverside. Elsewhere, Representative Spark Matsunaga proposed a constitutional amendment so naturalized citizens could serve as President or Vice President, and Frank A. Iwama’s Memorial Day speech honored Japanese American service members from the Spanish-American War through Vietnam.
Also inside: a protest in Rochester, N.Y. over remarks about Asian stereotypes on station WHAM, and the San Mateo City Council’s discussion of anti-Japanese sentiment. Joe Oyama wrote about a July reunion of the Heart Mountain Sentinel staff. Other pieces cover Paul Bannai’s Assembly race, the election of Tom Bradley as Los Angeles mayor, and changes to the First Fund-JACL health plan.
What’s in this issue
Commentary
- Youth in JACL, by Henry T. Tanaka, page 1. National JACL President Henry Tanaka reports on the National Youth Coordinating Council’s Memorial Day meetings in Chicago, covering the Project of the Biennium, planned workshops, and a tri-district youth conference. He also notes NYCC concerns about JAY membership benefits, dues, and parental attitudes among senior JACLers.
- Was Arnie’s Army the 442nd?, by P.C. Staff, page 1. This piece examines whether a group referred to as Arnie’s Army was the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. It considers the historical record of Japanese American military service during World War II.
- Allow Naturalized Citizens to Hold Office of U.S. President, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Representative Spark Matsunaga proposed a constitutional amendment permitting naturalized citizens to serve as President or Vice President. The measure would remove the natural-born citizenship requirement.
- Legislative Calendar, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Pacific Citizen outlines federal and California bills of interest to Japanese Americans, including retirement credit, social security, and Asian American affairs legislation. It encourages readers to contact their representatives about specific bill numbers.
- Higashi-Kaze, by Yung Kuk Marutani, page 3. The columnist explains Japanese-language translations and wordplay in the name of his column, including the meaning of toh-fu and the Chinese pronunciation of his surname. The piece is lighthearted and personal in tone.
Community
- Intermountain District Council Convention Format in New Dress, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Intermountain District Council agreed that all chapters, young adult and youth groups will share in staging the biennial district convention in Boise this November. Each chapter will plan an activity or workshop, and the district cookbook project and other business were also discussed.
- Announce Health Plan Changes, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The First Fund-JACL health plan announced changes effective July 1, with coverage remaining the same while the major medical maximum and convalescent hospital care benefits were increased. Premium rates and enrollment details for participants in several Southern California chapters were also outlined.
- Protest Launched Against WHAM in Rochester, N.Y., by P.C. Staff, page 1. Asians on Alert in Rochester, N.Y. launched a write-in protest against remarks made by radio host Ed Haybrouck on station WHAM concerning Asian stereotypes. The organization is also working to monitor the media for racial slurs.
- San Mateo City Council Addresses Anti-Japanese Sentiment, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The San Mateo City Council discussed whether growing anti-Japanese sentiment exists locally after a radio broadcast and press coverage raised the issue. Mayor Hugh Wayne and council members disputed the existence of such a problem in San Mateo, while JACL president Tom Konno voiced concern about racism.
- Tri-District JAYs Conference and Youth Program Notes, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Youth council activities include a joint Midwest-Eastern workshop in Windsor and a Tri-District JAYs Conference in Riverside. These programs focus on leadership, Asian American identity, and media stereotypes.
- Sansei Stabbed to Death Over Tape Recorder, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A 24-year-old Sansei carpenter’s apprentice, Melvin Shima of San Mateo, was fatally stabbed at a campground after an argument over a tape player. Sheriff’s deputies arrested a suspect and questioned dozens of campers in the area.
- Japanese Garden Vandalism Prompts Council Response, by P.C. Staff, page 2. San Mateo officials responded to vandalism of the Japanese garden in Central Park, with the city offering a reward that led to an arrest. The youth was required to make restitution and publicly apologize to the city’s Japanese residents.
- Gardena Councilman Bannai Advances in Special Election, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Gardena Councilman Paul Bannai, a Republican, finished first in the 67th Assembly District special primary and advances to a June 26 runoff against Tim Rupert. Bannai emphasized Japanese American civic participation and the redistricting concerns in his campaign.
National
- Aged Issei Seen as Target of Pressure from Nikkei Groups, Says Utah Savant, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A Weber State College scholar in Salt Lake City argues that aged Issei are being targeted by pressure from Nikkei groups. The article examines the implications of this pressure on the elderly immigrant generation.
- Calif. Growers Eye Potential Market in Japan, by P.C. Staff, page 1. California fruit and vegetable growers see a large potential market in Japan, where consumers pay high prices for melons, strawberries, and lettuce. Improved container shipping and the dollar’s devaluation were cited as factors favoring California exports.
- Sen. Inouye Hopes Watergate Query Will Not Drag On, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Senator Daniel Inouye, returning to Hawaii, said he was generally satisfied with the progress of the Senate Watergate hearings but hoped they would not be prolonged. He also commented on the slowdown in executive functions in Washington.
- Allow Naturalized Citizens to Hold Office of U.S. President, Spark Asks, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Representative Spark Matsunaga introduced a constitutional amendment that would allow naturalized citizens with twelve years of citizenship to be eligible for the presidency and vice presidency. He argued the current restriction discriminates against loyal foreign-born citizens.
- Los Angeles Elects Its First Black Mayor, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Councilman Tom Bradley won the Los Angeles mayoral race against incumbent Sam Yorty and takes office July 1. The change may lead to replacement of Japanese Americans appointed to municipal commissions, including George Saiki.
Military & Veterans
- Nisei Veteran Wins Right to Live in Home, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A Los Angeles Nisei veteran, Shinobu Saito, won the right to live in his home after a superior court set aside an injunction based on a restrictive covenant. The ruling was among several civil rights developments reported in the issue.
- Memorial Day 1973, by Frank A. Iwama, page 3. Frank Iwama’s Memorial Day speech honors Japanese American service members from the Spanish-American War through Vietnam, emphasizing the sacrifice of Nisei soldiers who fought for a nation that denied them basic freedoms. He argues their sacrifice paved the way for continued struggle for equality.
Incarceration & Redress
- Heart Mountain Sentinel Staff Reunion Planned, by Joe Oyama, page 3. A reunion of former staff of the Heart Mountain Sentinel is planned for July 28 in Los Angeles. The article recalls how the camp newspaper was produced and how it challenged Senator Robertson’s claims about evacuees.
Thank you for exploring the Pacific Citizen archive. The title, introduction and contents on this page were written by an AI model from scans of the printed issue, so they may contain mistakes. If you spot one, we would be grateful if you let us know.