Vol. 63, No. 21, November 18, 1966. 6 pages. View this issue
Washington voters repealed the state’s Alien Land Law through SJR 20 on the third try, and the victory ran through this six-page issue. Tak Kubota reported the final tally, Yes 414,000 to No 391,200. Jerry Enomoto credited Washington JACL members and Henry Owen’s citizens committee, and Mike Masaoka called the result a vindication of JACL’s long campaign against alien land laws.
Elsewhere, Patsy Mink and Spark Matsunaga each won over 140,000 votes in Hawaii, and Dr. March Fong was elected to the California Legislature. MIS veterans meeting in San Francisco asked the Army to lift secrecy on their wartime records. Also inside: a new JACL cultural relations committee, a memorial service for the 442nd rescue of the Lost Texas Battalion, and columns by Bill Hosokawa and Todd Endo.
What’s in this issue
Commentary
- Third Time a Charm, by Jerry Enomoto, page 1. JACL national president Jerry Enomoto celebrates the third-attempt repeal of Washington’s Alien Land Law through SJR 20. He credits the Washington JACL members and key leaders for the victory.
- Elections ’66, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Masaoka hails the SJR 20 victory in Washington as vindication of JACL’s persistent campaign against the alien land laws. He also analyzes the national Republican gains and the defeat of Prop. 15.
- Denver Get-Together, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Hosokawa describes a Simpson Methodist Church gathering for Japanese students and researchers in Denver, noting the Issei hospitality and the absence of Nisei. He also recounts Dr. James Sasaki’s observations on Nisei career choices and attitudes toward Negroes.
- By the Board: Assignment in Europe, by Kumeo Yoshinari, page 5. Yoshinari reflects on a 17-day European tour and a business assignment in England. He compares British and American customs and describes historic sites visited in Scotland and on the Continent.
- Killers of the Dream, by Todd Endo, page 6. Endo draws on Lillian Smith’s critique to argue that self-described moderates who value order over justice enable injustice. He urges JACL to take clear stands on housing, labor discrimination, and open housing.
Military & Veterans
- MIS Vets Ask Army for Lifting of Secrecy, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Some 400 delegates at the MIS language school 25th anniversary reunion in San Francisco requested declassification of WWII records of MIS exploits. A permanent MIS veterans organization was adopted to press for release.
- VFW, 442nd Veterans, West L.A. JACL Mark Rescue of Lost Battalion, by P.C. Staff, page 3. West Los Angeles JACL and local veterans groups held a memorial service honoring the 442nd rescue of the Lost Texas Battalion. Frank Fukuzawa of Fox Company gave the principal address.
National
- SJR 20 Final Tab: Yes 414,000; No 391,200, by Tak Kubota, page 1. Washington voters repealed the state Alien Land Law through SJR 20 after two earlier defeats. The campaign relied on grassroots JACL organizing and a citizens committee led by Henry Owen.
- JACL Forms Cultural Relations Committee, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL national president Jerry Enomoto announced a new National JACL Committee on Japanese American Cultural Relations chaired by Haruo Ishimaru. The committee will promote knowledge of Japanese arts and culture in America.
- Patsy and Sparky Garner 140,000 Votes Nov. 8, by Allan Beekman, page 1. Patsy Mink and Spark Matsunaga each won over 140,000 votes in Hawaii congressional races. Beekman describes the election night scene at both headquarters.
- Chinese American Woman Wins California Assembly Seat, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Dr. March Fong became the first Chinese American woman elected to the California Legislature by defeating Charles Morley. Her win marked a milestone in state politics.
Incarceration & Redress
- Some Texans Need Straightening, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A Sansei serviceman trained at Fort Sam Houston was repeatedly mistaken for Chinese by San Antonio residents. The story is shared to correct the record that Japanese American troops, not Chinese, rescued the Lost Texas Battalion.
Community
- Eleven Issei Decorated by Japan for Promoting Friendship, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Twenty-two Japanese nationals residing abroad, eleven of them in the United States, received Japanese government decorations on Culture Day. Recipients were cited for promoting friendship and raising the status of Japanese residents.
- Placer County Goodwill Guests Hear History Project Administrator, by Roy Yoshida, page 4. Joe Grant Masaoka addressed the Placer County JACL 26th annual goodwill dinner on early Japanese immigration and the Issei experience. Dick Nishimura received the JACL silver pin award at the event.
- Watsonville Aids County UN Festival, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Watsonville JACL operated a Japan booth at the Santa Cruz County United Nations Festival and donated the proceeds to UNICEF. Volunteers wore kimono and served tea and fortune cookies.
- Calendar of JACL Events and Chapter News Briefs, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Chapter news from across the JACL network covers installations, golf and bowling results, and youth events. Several chapters also report 1000 Club and membership renewals.
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