Vol. 80, No. 19, May 16, 1975. 4 pages. View this issue
Vietnamese refugees were the main subject of the May 16, 1975 issue. JACL National Executive Director David Ushio’s statement urged Americans to welcome them and deplored racist remarks by some politicians. Harry K. Honda wrote about the national debate over admitting them, and Bill Hosokawa compared the anti-refugee talk to the fears behind the World War II incarceration (often called internment) of Japanese Americans. The front page also looked at a possible Little Saigon in Los Angeles and at Ushio’s call for Nikkei support.
Other pages carried the NC-WN District Council’s approved wording for the Tule Lake landmark plaque, George Yamasaki Jr.’s resignation as JACL legal counsel, and a report on the extension of the Voting Rights Act to Asian Americans. Rep. Norman Mineta spoke in Philadelphia and at the dedication of the Shima Center. Page 4 holds a book review and a Naval Academy appointment.
What’s in this issue
Commentary
- Refugees from Vietnam, by David Ushio, National Executive Director, JACL, page 1. The JACL urges Americans to welcome Vietnamese refugees with the same positive spirit extended to earlier refugees from Eastern Europe, East Germany, Hungary, and Cuba. The organization deplores racist remarks by politicians and calls on Congress to fund refugee resettlement.
- Viet refugees, by Harry K. Honda, page 2. Honda discusses the national debate over admitting more than 100,000 Vietnamese and Cambodian refugees and urges readers to contact their congressmen. He notes the job and economic concerns while arguing that the United States bears responsibility for these people.
- Learning, an everyday process, by Stan Kiyokawa, page 2. A Portland JACL member reflects on his experience learning from fellow JACL members and the organization’s diverse talents. He calls for connecting those talents to strengthen the organization and educate society.
- How many Orientals is too many?, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Hosokawa compares current anti-Vietnamese refugee sentiment to the fears that led to Japanese American incarceration in 1942. He notes that such remarks reflect old prejudices resurfacing amid economic recession.
Community
- Little Saigon in L.A. possible, by Harry Honda, page 1. The article discusses the possibility of a Little Saigon district in Los Angeles to serve the growing Vietnamese population. It notes the local Vietnamese community already numbers around 8,000.
- Queen Elizabeth, visit to be lifetime memories, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Governor George Ariyoshi and his wife hosted Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip during a two-night stay in Honolulu. The royal couple dined at Washington Place and the governor described them as gracious and informal.
- Min-Plains District elects officers, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Mountain-Plains District Council elected Mitsuo Kawamoto of Omaha as district governor at its April convention. The district is working to establish a new chapter in Houston, Texas.
- Riverside to host PSW meet May 18, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Riverside JACL will host the second PSWDC quarterly meeting on May 18 at California State College in San Bernardino. The agenda includes district committee reports and a luncheon speech by Warren Lamb of SCAG.
- Omaha twister hits one Nisei home, by Em Nakadoi, page 1. A tornado destroyed a rental home owned by Jack Kaya in Omaha, leaving only foundations. Omaha JACL members were reported safe, and National JACL President Shig Sugiyama called to check on them.
- Shima Center dedicated at San Joaquin Delta College, by Edison Uno, page 3. San Joaquin Delta College dedicated the George Shima Center for natural science and agriculture, named after the Issei potato farmer. Congressman Norman Mineta gave the major address to a crowd of more than 300.
JACL
- Ushio calls for Nikkei support of Viet refugees, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL National Executive Director David Ushio told the NC-WN District Council that Japanese Americans should support the Vietnamese refugee program. He argued that the racial issues faced by Japanese Americans are now being raised against the Vietnamese.
- Yamasaki submits resignation as JACL legal counsel, by P.C. Staff, page 1. San Francisco attorney George Yamasaki Jr. resigned as National JACL legal counsel over differences regarding the National Executive Director. He stressed that the central issue is integrity in following membership decisions.
- EDC hustles for its $5,000 with own guidelines, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Eastern District Council adopted its own guidelines for allocating a $5,000 National JACL budget item after rejecting headquarters’ proposed rules. Delegates debated how the funds could be spent, including public relations and research projects.
Incarceration & Redress
- NC-WN approves text to Tule Lake landmark plaque, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The NC-WN District Council approved wording for a landmark plaque at the Tule Lake site commemorating the incarceration of Japanese Americans. The text describes the camps as reminders of how racism and political expediency undermined constitutional guarantees.
National
- Legislation of interest noted, by Wayne K. Horiuchi, page 1. Washington JACL Representative Wayne Horiuchi reported on five congressional measures of interest to JACL members. The bills cover small business investment, atomic bomb survivor aid, Asian studies, broadcast licensing, and a Department of Peace.
- Three vacancies in EEOC, urge one for Asian, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission faces three vacancies and a need for major reorganization after several resignations. JACL and others urged that an Asian American be appointed to fill one of the seats.
- Nikkei have historic commitment to protect civil liberties: Mineta, by Koge Suto Jr., page 3. Rep. Norman Mineta spoke at the Philadelphia JACL installation dinner, opposing further military aid to Cambodia and South Vietnam. He urged Japanese Americans to help reverse the erosion of civil liberties.
- Voting Rights Act extension includes Asian Americans, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The House Judiciary Committee approved a bill extending the Voting Rights Act through 1985 and expanding its protections to Asian Americans, Spanish-speaking Americans, and American Indians. Areas with significant non-English-speaking populations and low voter registration would be covered.
Military & Veterans
- JACLer testifies for Rice Act; may affect air quality, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Dr. Leslie Hiraoka of New York JACL testified before a House subcommittee in support of the Rice Act of 1975, arguing for target price concepts over outdated subsidy programs. The article also covers a dispute in Sacramento over rice straw burning and air quality rules.
- David Yoshihara appointed to Naval Academy, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Rep. Brock Adams nominated David Yoshihara, a senior at Oakton High School in Virginia, for appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy. His father Takeshi was the first Nisei appointed to Annapolis in 1950.
Arts & Entertainment
- Review: Allan Beekman’s Powers Peak in Final Novel, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The review examines Hibbett’s translation of Beauty and Sadness, a novel about an artist’s relationship with a younger woman and her jealous daughter. The reviewer praises the strong plot and characterization while noting some translation choices.
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