Vol. 78, No. 24, June 21, 1974. 4 pages. View this issue
Health insurance opened this four-page issue. Henry Tanaka wrote about the Kennedy-Mills proposal (S.3286), covering its universal coverage, administration by Social Security, cost-sharing and tax provisions. A profile of Hito Okada followed his life from youth in Tacoma and Portland to service as JACL National Treasurer and President. The paper also reported on the anti-Japanese boycott tied to whaling, with Dr. Clifford Uyeda questioning why Soviet whaling drew less outrage, and Rose Harano argued for ending the JACL President-Elect position.
Elsewhere, a story told of the Seattle street slaying of a Nisei woman, and Lovie Yamashiro wrote about Asian Americans in the penal system. Little Tokyo news included over $128,000 raised for the community center and a consultant chosen for Little Tokyo Towers. Nisei veterans appeared in stories about a Los Angeles display of captured artifacts, the Manila trials of Gen. Yamashita and a newly dedicated post.
What’s in this issue
National
- Cleveland: Health Insurance, by Henry Tanaka, page 1. Henry Tanaka discusses the rising cost of health care and the Kennedy-Mills health insurance proposal (S.3286). He outlines its universal coverage, administration by Social Security, cost-sharing, and tax provisions.
- Campaign to Save Whales Upstaged by Ugly Clamor, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Dr. Clifford Uyeda criticized the anti-Japanese boycott tied to the whale-saving campaign, arguing it harms the broader goals of environmental groups. He questioned why similar outrage was not directed at Soviet whaling.
- Japanese Goods Boycott and Whaling Dispute, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Japan and Russia rebutted criticism at Expo ’74 over whaling, and anti-whaling advertisements appeared in local papers urging a boycott of Japanese goods. The article describes the declining Japanese whale catch and international debate over the issue.
JACL
- A Giant Among Men: Hito Okada, by P.C. Staff, page 1. This profile traces the life of Hito Okada, from his youth in Tacoma and Portland to his service as JACL National Treasurer and President. It highlights his leadership through the wartime and postwar eras and his founding of the JACL Thousand Club.
- Masaoka Distinguished Service Award Selection Committee Named, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A panel of past JACL national presidents will select the recipient of the biennial Mike M. Masaoka Distinguished Service Award. Previous honorees and the six finalists are described along with the award’s purpose.
- Midwest Urges Elimination of JACL President-Elect Position, by Rose Harano, page 1. Rose Harano, past Midwest District governor, argues delegates should eliminate the National JACL President-Elect position effective 1976. She cites full staffing, the stable role of elected vice presidents, and the risk of misalignment between a president and an executive committee elected two years earlier.
Incarceration & Redress
- Nisei Woman Slaying: Suspect Arrested in Seattle, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Two parolees were charged in the Seattle street slaying of a Nisei woman, and a Boeing welder, Todd Kiyonaga, helped stop the attack and detain one suspect. Police later arrested the second suspect at his workplace.
Military & Veterans
- L.A. Nisei Veterans Defend Display of Captured Japanese Artifacts at Hall, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Nisei Veterans Coordinating Council defended a display of captured Japanese military artifacts at Patriotic Hall in Los Angeles. The council argued the display does not glorify war and that removing it would erase history.
- Manila Trials of Gen. Yamashita and Nisei Interpreters, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The article recounts the Nisei role in the Manila trials of Gen. Yamashita, including interpreters and Hawaiian Nisei who served with MacArthur. It also notes the defense staff’s view that the conviction was unjust.
- JACL Veterans and Public Relations Office Debate, by P.C. Staff, page 2. A writer weighs the proposal to establish a JACL public relations office in New York City against placing staff in existing offices in Washington, Chicago, and Los Angeles. The writer argues the latter approach would save money and broaden cross-section input.
- Nisei Veterans Post Dedicated in Los Angeles, by P.C. Staff, page 4. A local Nisei veterans post held events marking its founding, with speakers recalling postwar discrimination and the efforts of Nisei veterans to overcome it. The post was honored with a State Assembly resolution.
Community
- Salt Lake Hosting IDC Quarterly, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The second Intermountain District Council quarterly session will be held June 22 in Salt Lake City with the local JACL chapter. Agenda items include standing committee reports and bids for the next national convention.
- Over $128,000 Pledged or Donated to Little Tokyo Community Center, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Little Tokyo Community Center fund drive has raised over $128,000 in pledges and donations toward a $1.08-million goal. Individual and organizational donors are listed.
- Little Tokyo Towers Selects Administrator, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Little Tokyo Towers, Inc. selected Steinbaum Management Co. as consultant for its 200-unit senior citizens housing project. Construction is expected to begin in November.
- Credit Union Founder Hito Okada Recognized, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The article traces the founding of the National JACL Credit Union in Salt Lake City, which grew from a small depository into a multi-million dollar institution. It credits Hito Okada as the driving force behind the service.
- Seattle Dojo Members Promoted in National Judo Tournament, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Seattle Dojo members Chris Kato and Kenji Yamada were promoted to 6th dan at the 1974 Senior AAU national judo tournament. The article also covers other judo accomplishments from the Seattle club.
- Two Corrections to San Diego JACL Scholarship Story, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Two corrections were issued for a San Diego JACL scholarship story, adding an omitted $100 award recipient. The article also covers scholarship awards from other chapters.
Commentary
- Forgotten Minority: Asian Americans in the Penal System, by Lovie Yamashiro, page 2. The writer discusses the challenges faced by Asian American prisoners and parolees, who are a small minority within the prison population. She calls for community support and self-help programs to assist them after release.
- Priorities: Henry Tanaka’s Three Major Thrusts Discussed, by P.C. Staff, page 2. A Pacific Southwest District Council writer responds to Henry Tanaka’s stated priorities for JACL, questioning whether the PSW district has had adequate input. The writer argues the district has been one of the most vocal and dedicated.
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