Before the 1970 Chicago convention: JACL leaders look ahead

Vol. 71, No. 2, July 10, 1970. 8 pages. View this issue

The July 10, 1970 issue came out just ahead of the 21st biennial National JACL Convention in Chicago, and most of its pages looked toward that meeting. National President Jerry Enomoto looked back on four years in office, while Mike M. Masaoka, Bill Hosokawa and Bill Marutani weighed what the convention might decide. Candidates Ray Uno, Don Hayashi and John K. Yanagisawa made their cases, and committee reports urged a National JACL Education Commission, a paid public relations staff member and a youth caucus in place of Jr. JACL.

Outside JACL business, the Little Tokyo redevelopment project won federal approval, and the Los Angeles Board of Education agreed to continue the Japanese language program at Dorsey High School. The Sixth National Nisei Veterans Reunion in Los Angeles is covered on two pages. Mas Nakagawa’s guide to Chicago and Richard Gima’s report from Hawaii round out the eight pages.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• A Rewarding Road, by Jerry Enomoto, page 1. National JACL President Jerry Enomoto reflects on his four years in office and thanks the Sacramento Chapter for a farewell gathering. He also praises the work of Joe Grant and previews a youthful dialogue session at the upcoming National Council in Chicago.
• Washington Newsletter: National JACL Convention, by Mike M. Masaoka, page 2. Masaoka previews the 1970 National Convention in Chicago, which he expects to be among the most decisive in JACL history. He argues JACL must balance the demands of a new activist generation with its conservative membership and suggests a separate militant organization could complement JACL.
• Wisdom of the Young, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Hosokawa reflects on a Denver Japanese American scholarship program and the cooperation it showed among community groups. He draws parallels between prewar Nisei and today’s Sansei and urges both generations to accept change ahead of the JACL convention.
• Chicago, Chicago, by Mas Nakagawa, page 4. Nakagawa offers a guide to Chicago’s attractions for convention visitors, including shopping on Michigan Avenue, the Art Institute, and State Street. He also describes dining, nightlife, and museum options.
• Candidates Sound Off: Committeemen to Serve, by Ray Uno, page 5. Presidential candidate Ray Uno urges chapters to nominate qualified members for appointive national offices before the convention. He emphasizes the importance of a broad-based organization that includes women and members from all districts.
• Potshots, by Alfred Hatate, page 6. Hatate comments on recent campus disorders and the growing divide between young and old, liberals and conservatives. He argues that dialogue and communication are needed to resolve tensions rather than confrontation.
• Nothing to Lose, by Don Hayashi, page 6. Don Hayashi, candidate for vice president of general operations, writes about his vision for JACL, including closer ties between youth and adults and stronger commitment to civil rights. He describes his experience in chapter and district leadership.
• Kamehameha Day, by Richard Gima, page 7. Gima reports on differing views of King Kamehameha expressed during the 1970 observance in Hawaii. He also covers political developments, including candidacies for state and city offices.
• Where Christ Died, by Henry, page 7. The column explores a Japanese claim that Jesus Christ lived and was buried in Herai, Aomori Prefecture, where local legends and documents support the story. The author describes the village and its traditions.
• Young Community Leaders Espousing Connubial Bliss, by Kats Kunitsugu, page 8. Kunitsugu describes a bridal shower for Jeffrey Matsui and Barbara and notes several other engagements among young community leaders. The column also reflects on marriage and draws on a Shusaku Endo book about love.
• Column on Tucson, by Merry Masunaga, page 8. Masunaga responds to a Tucson column by George Yoshinaga, defending the city as warm, friendly, and scenic. She invites Yoshinaga to revisit Tucson and see its growth and natural beauty.
• JACL Candidate—John K. Yanagisawa, by John K. Yanagisawa, page 8. Yanagisawa, a write-in candidate for vice president of research and services, argues that JACL must become more politically active and serve all Asian Americans. He proposes job training, legal defense, and Asian studies programs.
• East Wind: Stick-to-It-iveness, by Bill Marutani, page 8. Marutani praises National President Jerry Enomoto’s persistence and effectiveness during his two terms in office. He describes the demands and rewards of JACL’s highest office.

Community

• Greater Emphasis on Education Urged in 9-Point JACL Program, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The JACL Ad Hoc Committee for Responsible Education urged greater emphasis on education in the coming biennium through a nine-point program. Proposals include coordinating ethnic studies curricula, reviewing textbooks, and preserving Japanese American historical materials.
• Japanese Class at Dorsey High O.K.’d but Status of Teacher Unsettled, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Los Angeles Board of Education agreed to continue the Japanese language program at Dorsey High School. However, the status of teacher June Hatanaka remained unresolved, prompting community protest.
• Little Tokyo Redevelopment Project Approved by U.S. Govt., by P.C. Staff, page 3. HUD approved the Little Tokyo Neighborhood Development Program, clearing the final official hurdle for the ten-year redevelopment. The project is expected to attract about $100 million in private investment and includes a cultural community center and senior housing.
• Youth Recommends Dissolving Jr. JACL in Favor of Youth Caucus, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Mike Suzuki and Rosa Harano recommended dissolving Jr. JACL and replacing it with a youth caucus structure at the chapter level. Harano also proposed eliminating the National Youth Commission and adding district youth chairmen to the National Board.

JACL

• Quorum Assured for National Council, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Sixty-eight of the 90 chapters have designated official delegates to the 21st biennial National JACL Convention. Twenty-two other chapters will be represented by proxy, with names to be submitted in writing to Director Mas Satow.
• Ex-U.S. Ambassador Johnson to Address Masaoka Fete, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Career diplomat Alexis Johnson, former U.S. Ambassador to Japan, will speak at the Mike M. Masaoka Testimonial Dinner in Chicago on July 16. Johnson and Masaoka previously worked together on issues affecting Japanese Americans stranded in Japan during the war.
• Greater Emphasis on Education Urged: Jerry Enomoto Promoted Deputy Superintendent, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Jerry Enomoto was promoted to deputy superintendent of the California Correctional Training Facility near Soledad. He will manage a 1,600-inmate facility while continuing his JACL presidency until August 1.
• Paid Staff Man for P.R. Urged in JACL Report, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The National JACL Public Relations Committee urged that JACL hire a paid staff member for public relations as soon as possible. The committee also recommended a Japanese American story publication and a documentary film project.
• Legislative Committee Regarded Haynsworth-Carswell Defeat as Most Important Effort, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The National JACL Legislative Committee reported that its most important achievement was helping defeat Supreme Court nominees Haynsworth and Carswell. The committee also recommended a clearer policy on ad hoc committees and expanded Washington office resources.
• Ethnic Concern Nuclei Recommended in Each District, by Dr. David M. Miura, page 5. The JACL Ethnic Concern Committee, formed in 1968 to foster understanding among minority groups, recommended establishing nucleus committees in each district. The committee has expanded beyond its original scope through workshops and dialogue with other groups.
• JACL Education Commission Urged, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Dr. Tom Taketa and the National Program and Activities Committee recommended establishing a National JACL Education Commission with a $35,000 budget. The commission would develop materials on the Issei and Japanese American history for schools.

Military & Veterans

• Nisei Veterans Reunion Told Own War Record Is ‘Hallmark of Patriotism’, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Los Angeles County District Attorney Evelle Younger addressed the Sixth National Nisei Veterans Reunion in Los Angeles. He praised their wartime service and called on veterans to resist radical minorities threatening national unity.
• Munemori Plaque Returned to JACL, by Shig Sugiyama, page 3. A JACL plaque honoring Pfc. Sadao Munemori, a Medal of Honor recipient, was returned to the organization after the ship named for him was scrapped. The ship was originally the Wilson Victory, which had returned the 442nd from Italy.
• Veterans Reunion 1970, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The Sixth National Nisei Veterans Reunion drew over 1,300 attendees to its welcome banquet in Los Angeles. Hershey Miyamura, a Korean War Medal of Honor recipient, attended with his family and the event featured patriotic themes.

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