Patsy Mink’s primary win and a JACL convention rift

Vol. 75, No. 16, October 20, 1972. 6 pages. View this issue

Rep. Patsy Mink won the Democratic primary for Hawaii’s 2nd Congressional District with about 70 percent of the vote, as reported by Allan Beekman. On the same page, the Pacific Northwest District Council backed a resolution seeking reparations for Japanese Americans in the Western Defense Command who were not interned but lost property and income, and National President Henry Tanaka named Barry Matsumoto as JACL’s Washington representative. Pages 2 and 3 turned to the national convention and the resignations of the Los Angeles staff, with Paul A. Tanaka, Dr. Roy Nishikawa and a delegate writing about where the JACL should go.

Elsewhere in the six pages are Dr. Roy Doi on his family’s life in Japan, Jim Henry on Sansei literary publications, and plans for a 41-unit senior housing center in Spokane. Page 6 includes Chris Kato’s promotion to vice-principal in Seattle and a lawsuit filed by Lynne Choy Uyeda.

What’s in this issue

National

• Matsunaga, Mink in Finals, by Allan Beekman, page 1. Rep. Patsy Mink won the Democratic primary for the 2nd Congressional District with about 70 percent of the vote, facing Republican Diana Hansen in November. Mink’s opponent Atty. John Goemans had hinted she might face indictment, which she dismissed as a personal attack.

Incarceration & Redress

• Double-Edge Reparations Named JACL Rep in Washington, by Logan Barry Matsumoto, page 1. The Pacific Northwest District Council adopted a Columbia Basin JACL resolution seeking reparations for Japanese Americans in the Western Defense Command who were not interned but suffered economic losses. Barry Matsumoto, 27, was appointed JACL’s Washington representative by National President Henry Tanaka.

Community

• Spokane JACL to Build Senior Citizens Housing, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Spokane JACL chapter approved plans for a 41-unit senior citizens housing center financed through a federal HUD grant. The project includes recreation rooms, a laundry, and a Japanese garden, and no opposition was voiced to the commission.
• San Jose Mayor Mineta Testifies Before State Body, by P.C. Staff, page 4. San Jose Mayor Norman Mineta told a state senate housing panel that federal revenue sharing could address urban sprawl. He also discussed the building permit freeze caused by a state supreme court environmental ruling.
• Minority Contractors Sign Agreement with CRA, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Los Angeles Community Redevelopment Agency signed an agreement with the American Federation of Minority Contractors to assure equitable participation in urban renewal construction. Japanese American contractor Toshi Ozawa serves as federation secretary.
• Nisei Heads Utah Development Coalition, by P.C. Staff, page 4. A Nisei was installed as chairman of the Minority Economic Development Coalition of Utah. The coalition includes representatives from Black, American Indian, Spanish-speaking, and other minority communities.
• Dr. Haruko Morita Honored by Legislature, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Dr. Haruko Morita, principal at Garvanza School, received a State Senate resolution honoring her service to the community and education. Her career spans teaching, administration, and national advisory roles.
• Seattle Names First Nisei to High School Post, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Chris Kato became the first Japanese American administrator at the high school level in Seattle when he was promoted to vice-principal at Cleveland High School. He had previously taught science and led a department for many years.
• Sansei Mother Sues State Over Expulsion of Deaf Son, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Lynne Choy Uyeda filed a lawsuit against the California State School for the Deaf in Riverside after her profoundly deaf son Craig was expelled. She contends his civil rights were violated and that the school failed to meet his educational needs.

JACL

• Puyallup Valley Chapter Guest Column: Where Are We Headed?, by Paul A. Tanaka, page 2. Tacoma attorney Paul Tanaka reflects on Japanese American history and urges the JACL to take stands on contemporary issues rather than avoid controversy. He argues members must uphold civil rights for all minority groups.
• Do We Stick or Run Away?, by Delegate at D.C., page 3. A convention delegate analyzes the rift between the New Left, the young Los Angeles staff, and the JACL leadership following David Ushio’s appointment. The author urges all factions to remain in the organization and work toward positive change.

Commentary

• Letters: JACL Convention and NBC-TV Essay, by Robert M. Cullum; Elsie R. Renne, page 2. Readers respond to the JACL convention turmoil and to the NBC documentary Guilty by Reason of Race. Renne urges viewers to write NBC commending the documentary on the wartime evacuation.
• A Nisei View of Japan: Gaijin, by Dr. Roy Doi, page 4. Dr. Roy Doi describes his family’s experiences living in Japan, including how Japanese society treats Caucasian foreigners versus Nikkei. He also describes harassment his children faced from Japanese youths.

Military & Veterans

• Nisei GI Record Noted by Dr. Roy Nishikawa, by Dr. Roy Nishikawa, page 3. Dr. Roy Nishikawa of Wilshire JACL reviews the events of the National JACL Convention and the resignations of the Los Angeles staff. He analyzes the factions and the controversy surrounding David Ushio’s appointment as executive director.
• Asian Americans Urged to Apply for White House Fellows, by P.C. Washington Bureau, page 4. William Marumoto, staff assistant to the President, encouraged qualified Asian Americans to apply for the 1973 White House Fellows program. The one-year fellowship places participants in high-level federal government positions.

Arts & Entertainment

• Sansei Literary Efforts Update, by Jim Henry, page 3. Jim Henry reports on recent Sansei literary publications including Yellow Pearl and AION, and a poetry collection by Margaret Tsuda. He notes growing creative expression among younger Asian Americans.

Obituaries

• Takemaru Hirahara, Rev. Seikaku Mizutani, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Obituaries note the deaths of Takemaru Hirahara of Caldwell, Idaho, and Rev. Seikaku Mizutani, resident minister of Walnut Grove Buddhist Church. Both were longtime community members with extensive histories in Japanese American communities.

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