Repealing Title II: JACL goes to Washington in 1970

Vol. 70, No. 13, April 3, 1970. 6 pages. View this issue

The push to repeal Title II of the Internal Security Act of 1950, the Emergency Detention Act, ran through this six-page issue. National JACL President Jerry Enomoto reported on testifying before the House Internal Security Committee, and Edison Uno described the hearings, including a letter of support from former Chief Justice Earl Warren and a telegram from Governor Ronald Reagan. A Register-Pajaronian editorial called the law a relic of hysteria.

Elsewhere, a testimonial trust fund was being set up to honor Mike Masaoka’s 30 years of service, and plans moved ahead for the national convention in Chicago, July 14-18. Fred S. Kai made the case for Asian American studies in schools, and Masaoka wrote on the Ethnic Heritage Studies Center Act. Other items covered the Sacramento JACL’s support for Indians at Alcatraz and a student aid fund seeking dollars.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

  • Perspectives: Work in Washington, by Jerry Enomoto, page 1. National JACL President Jerry Enomoto reports on the first time a group of JACL members testified before a Congressional committee in favor of Title II repeal. He describes the reception by the House Internal Security Committee and the support of Congressman Spark Matsunaga.
  • Asian Studies–About Time, by Fred S. Kai, page 4. The author, a Los Angeles teacher, argues that Asian American studies should be introduced in West Coast secondary schools and community colleges. He suggests history and sociology courses as starting points and urges early instruction in elementary grades.
  • JACL Statement on HR 14910, by Mike Masaoka, page 4. JACL urged prompt passage of the Ethnic Heritage Studies Center Act (HR 14910) to fund ethnic studies curricula. The statement argues that ignorance of Asian Americans and Japanese American history contributed to wartime injustice.
  • A Relic of hysteria must be erased, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Register-Pajaronian editorial urges repeal of Title II of the Internal Security Act of 1950, the Emergency Detention Act. It argues the law permits detention without trial and is a remnant of wartime and McCarthy-era hysteria.
  • Quo Vadis, JUST? The Ching Case, by Kats Kunitsugu, page 6. Kunitsugu urges JUST to reactivate to support Francis Ching, a Hawaii-born Chinese American who was the top scorer for superintendent of the County Arboreta and Botanic Gardens. He describes Ching’s qualifications and alleges the Board of Governors favored another candidate.

JACL

  • Friends establish Masaoka trust fund, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A testimonial trust fund is being established to honor Mike Masaoka’s 30 years of service to Japanese Americans. A rally in Chicago drew 75 persons, and area coordinators were named to lead fundraising for the July dinner.
  • CCDC settles issue on staff behavior, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Central California District Council resolved a special session on JACL staff behavior after a staff member made an obscene remark at a Los Angeles peace rally. The council withdrew its request for disciplinary action against the staff member.

Community

  • Sacramento JACL backs Indians at Alcatraz, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Sacramento JACL board adopted a resolution supporting American Indians occupying Alcatraz Island. Chapter president Carnegie Ouye announced the action.
  • JACL student aid fund needs dollars, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The JACL Student Aid Program awarded $2,000 to ten local students last year. Fund chairman Roy Nishikawa is asking PSWDC chapters to raise the fund from $1,200 to $2,000.
  • Chicago to be the place to be for 1970 National Convention, by Jean Sakamoto, page 1. The 21st Biennial National JACL Convention will be held July 14-18 in Chicago’s Loop with delegates housed at the Palmer House. The article promotes the hotel’s location, dining, and transportation conveniences.
  • West L.A. preps for PSWDC rally, by P.C. Staff, page 2. West Los Angeles JACL will host the PSWDC second quarterly session May 16-17 as a preconvention rally. Virginia Tominaga is general chairman, and the event includes junior sessions and an oratorical contest.
  • Historical record of Japanese in Utah placed in archives, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Salt Lake Valley Chapter of the Utah State Historical Society received a history of the Japanese in Utah compiled by local JACL and church members. Presentations covered Buddhist and Christian church histories and the Topaz evacuation experience.

National

  • Earl Warren speaks out on Title II, by Edison Uno, page 3. The House Internal Security Committee held hearings on repealing Title II of the Internal Security Act of 1950. JACL testimony included a letter of support from former Chief Justice Earl Warren and a telegram from Governor Ronald Reagan.
  • Reno Nisei candidate in recall petition of three councilmen, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Reno resident Fred Aoyama, a charter member of the Reno JACL, is a candidate in a recall petition against three city councilmen including the mayor. The petitioners cite grievances over zoning, commercialization, and public transportation.
  • School integration resolution offered, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The National JACL Committee for Responsible Education proposed a resolution urging the National JACL Board to endorse immediate school integration. The committee argued integration is essential for quality education in a multi-ethnic society.

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