Vol. 63, No. 16, October 14, 1966. 6 pages. View this issue
Washington’s SJR 20 campaign ran through this six-page issue. The ballot measure would repeal the state’s alien land restriction, and the vote came on Nov. 8. National JACL President Jerry Enomoto reported on his trip to Seattle and urged members to help win it. Mike Masaoka explained why this third effort was better organized and funded, and why its arguments had turned to economics. Another front-page story, “Civil Rights Nothing New to Nisei,” quoted Masaoka on the gains Japanese Americans won through the courts.
Elsewhere, Allan Beekman covered the Hawaiian congressional race, and Richard Gima wrote on President Johnson’s planned stopover. Father George Minamiki described what Hiroshima’s students hoped for Japan. A memorial service honored Nisei of the 100th Battalion, and Prof. Robert A. Wilson and Joe Grant Masaoka planned a tour to gather Issei history. The Los Angeles Christmas Cheer drive also opened.
What’s in this issue
JACL
- Enomoto: SJR 20 Campaign Needs Full Support, by Jerry Enomoto, page 1. National JACL President Jerry Enomoto reports on his trip to Seattle to support SJR 20, the Washington ballot measure to repeal the state’s alien land restriction. He describes the broad coalition behind the campaign and urges members to help secure victory on Nov. 8.
Community
- Christmas Cheer Fund Drive to Start Oct. 19, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Los Angeles JACL Coordinating Council’s 19th annual Christmas Cheer program begins its campaign to raise $2,500 for indigent Japanese ancestry families and Issei bachelors. George Fujita chairs the drive, with cash donations accepted at the Southern California JACL Regional Office through Dec. 20.
- Chicago JACL Candidates Night Combined With New Citizens Fete, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Chicago JACL will combine its Meet Your Candidate night with a ceremony presenting certificates to Issei who completed Americanization classes. Candidates from both parties for congressional, state and county seats are invited to speak.
- Kealoha Still Menace to Matsunaga and Mink in Hawaiian Congressional Race, by Allan Beekman, page 1. Kenneth Brown moved to unite Democratic factions by backing Tom Gill after losing the lieutenant governor primary. James Kimo Kealoha’s anti-Vietnam War stance has gained him press attention and remains a threat to incumbents Patsy Mink and Spark Matsunaga.
- Switzerland of Asia Aim of Hiroshima Students, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Rev. George Minamiki, principal of Hiroshima High School, says the youths of Hiroshima hope Japan becomes a permanently neutral nation. He describes their continuing awareness of the atomic bombing and their growing willingness to criticize authority.
- Year After Watts Riot: Nisei Clothier Turns to Electronics in Beverly Hills, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Sam Ishihara, whose Central Avenue clothing store was destroyed in the 1965 Watts riot, reflects on the year since. He opened an electronics business in Beverly Hills while continuing Penthouse Clothes in Crenshaw Square.
- Switzerland of Asia Aim of Hiroshimans, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Father George Minamiki says Hiroshima youths want lasting peace and notes that the Hiroshima survivors’ children show no radiation-caused birth defects. He observes that the youths are becoming more free to criticize and question authority.
- Watsonville Donates $302 to Youth Center, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Watsonville JACL raised $302.50 for the Pajaro Valley Youth Foundation building fund through a movie benefit and other efforts. Shig Hirano chaired the drive.
National
- Civil Rights Nothing New to Nisei, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Mike Masaoka told a Seattle Times reporter that Japanese Americans have faced problems similar to those of Negroes today, with gains won largely through the courts. Enomoto added that Japanese Americans should use their accomplishments to support all minority groups.
- Rumford Act Study Commission Set, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Governor Brown appointed a 15-member bipartisan commission to draft recommendations for the 1967 legislature on California’s Rumford Fair Housing Act. The commission is charged with reviewing the law’s operation and making recommendations free of partisan debate.
- Ambassador-Designate Johnson Outlines Asian Community Progress, by U. Alexis Johnson, page 5. Deputy Undersecretary of State U. Alexis Johnson, named ambassador to Japan, describes regional cooperation in Asia including the Asian Development Bank and ASPAC. He also discusses the Vietnam elections and the economic stagnation of Communist China.
Incarceration & Redress
- History Project Staff to Tour 8 Western Cities, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Prof. Robert A. Wilson and Joe Grant Masaoka will visit eight western cities to gather documentation on pre-1900 Issei history. They will seek letters, diaries, photographs and interviews with knowledgeable Issei and older Nisei.
Commentary
- SJR 20 Campaign, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Washington JACL representative Mike Masaoka reports on the campaign to repeal Washington’s constitutional alien land restriction, the only such law remaining among the states. He explains the stronger organization and funding of this third effort and the shift to economic arguments.
- Aloha From Hawaii, by Richard Gima, page 2. Richard Gima reports Hawaii news including President Johnson’s planned stopover, the ILWU’s endorsement of Thomas Gill, and campaign appointments. He also covers local business, sports and community items.
- Santa Monica Declaration, by Ye Ed, page 4. The Pacific Southwest District Council board proposes dividing the district into four zones, each with a lieutenant governor on the district board. The proposal would also make the district board a governing body, streamlining council sessions.
Military & Veterans
- Club 100 Honors Fallen Nisei Soldiers, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Maj. Gen. Robert L. Stevenson spoke at a Honolulu memorial service for Nisei killed serving with the 100th Battalion. He said honoring the dead requires preserving the freedoms they fought for.
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