Getting ready for the 1966 JACL convention in San Diego

Vol. 63, No. 2, July 8, 1966. 6 pages. View this issue

The 19th Biennial National Convention, set for El Cortez Hotel in San Diego, July 26-30, drove this six-page issue. Delegates learned how registration, housing and package deals would work, and the full agenda was printed, ending with the election of national officers. Tats Misaka wrote on apathy, Jerry Enomoto asked where JACL was going, and Alan Kumamoto described the National Youth Commission. Membership stood 1,322 short of last year’s record of 22,504, and New York choreographer Yuriko was nominated for Nisei of the Biennium.

Other pages followed scholarship winners honored by the Sacramento, Chicago and Fremont chapters. Mike Masaoka’s Washington newsletter covered the Civil Rights Act of 1966, and Robert A. Wilson of the Japanese American Research Project asked for government files on the Evacuation. Bill Marutani’s East Wind column took a light look at Nisei features.

What’s in this issue

Community

• Delegates Get Agenda: Convention Registration Procedure Changed, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Convention Board forwarded registration forms, housing information, and the schedule to JACL chapters for the 19th Biennial National Convention at El Cortez Hotel, San Diego, July 26-30. Housing reservations continue through the San Diego Convention and Visitors Bureau, and package deals are handled directly by the host chapter.
• Sakado Rolls 300 at Holiday Bowl, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Mitchell Sakado rolled a 300 game in the Dept. of Water & Power mixed foursome league at Holiday Bowl on June 30, finishing with a series of 672. He scored 15 straight strikes during the game.
• Li’l Tokio’s Pied Piper, by Charles Kamayatsu, page 1. The Southern California Japanese Chamber of Commerce has conducted guided tours and lectures of Li’l Tokio for 4th grade school children from several counties. The Hollywood JACL presents each child with a package of sembei, and more than 1,000 packages have been distributed.
• Cincinnati to Host ’69 Joint EDC-MDC Confab, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Cincinnati JACL, with Dayton JACL assisting, will host the 1969 joint EDC-MDC convention, according to chapter president Ben Okura. Chicago JACL is hosting the 1967 EDC-MDC convention.
• Dayton JACLers Join Human Rights Council, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Dayton JACL president James Taguchi and Roy Sugimoto attended the Dayton Council for Human Rights meeting, where its constitution is being formalized. The chapter’s May 22 festival netted $511.95 with over 500 attendees.
• Youth Director to Head Local Jaycees, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Alan Kumamoto, JACL youth director, was elected 1966-67 president of the Japanese Jr. Chamber of Commerce in Los Angeles. He had previously been a member of that group before joining the JACL staff.
• Hawaii YBA Considering Viet Mission, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Young Buddhists Assn. of Hawaii is considering a peace mission to Vietnam, though no concrete plans have been presented. YBA spokesman Mineo Yamagata emphasized that the idea must be explored thoroughly before any decision is made.
• Cortez JACLers’ Son First Eagle Scout, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Michael Masuda, son of Mr. and Mrs. Seio Masuda, became the first Eagle Scout from the farming community of Ballico at a May 31 court of honor. Charters were also presented to a Cub Pack, Scout Troop, and Explorer Post during the ceremony.
• Japan Miso Makers Seek U.S.-Grown Soy Beans, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Japanese miso manufacturers are turning to American-grown soybeans because of diminishing Japanese supplies and fluctuating imports from Red China. Marubeni-Iida Co. has arranged shipment of 30,000 tons of soybeans grown by Illinois farmers.
• Sacramento Scholarship Winners Named, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Stanley K. Nishioka of Clarksburg received the Sacramento JACL merit scholarship, Gary T. Murata of Sacramento received the Roy Kurosawa Memorial scholarship, and Kent Kaita of West Sacramento received the Sacramento Gardeners’ Assn. scholarship. Each graduated with high academic honors and plans for college in the fall.
• Chicago JACL Honors High School Graduates, by P.C. Staff, page 4. At the Chicago JACL graduates supper, Julia Anne Matayoshi was honored as the chapter’s candidate for the Pvt. Ben Frank Masaoka Scholarship. Several other citizenship, youth, and Americanism awards were also presented to local graduates.
• Fremont JACL Honors Local Area Graduates, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Fremont JACL honored twelve Sansei graduates at a dinner at International Kitchen, presenting its scholarship to Marilyn Hayashi, who finished in the top 2 percent of her class at James Logan High School. Other graduates from high school and junior high were also recognized.
• JASC Olympics Is Farewell Meet at Stagg Field, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The first JASC Olympics was held June 19 at the University of Chicago’s Stagg Field, reportedly the last meet on that historic field. Co-chairmen Tom Teraji and Sam Ozaki led a group of Nisei teachers and coaches in organizing the event for participants aged 10 and up.
• Founders & Patriots of America Honors Mukaeda with Achievement Award, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Katsuma Mukaeda, a Los Angeles civic and cultural leader, received a gold medal for civic achievement from the California Society of the Order of the Founders and Patriots of America. Mukaeda was honored for his decades of work assisting Japanese immigrants, his role in the Cultural Center and Li’l Tokio redevelopment, and his service to JACL.

Commentary

• Apathy, by Tats Misaka, page 1. Misaka argues that society’s prosperity has bred complacency and apathy, with too many people shirking responsibility and leaving the work of defending freedoms to others. He contends that JACL offers a means for individuals to stand up against this tide with courage and conviction.
• Where Is JACL Going?, by Jerry Enomoto, page 4. Enomoto reflects on the question ‘Why JACL?’ and argues that the organization will persist due to its history but should consider a more aggressive civil rights and social issues agenda. He calls on youth to share their views on JACL’s direction.
• Youth Program and the National Youth Commission, by Alan Kumamoto, page 4. Kumamoto outlines the structure and responsibilities of the National Youth Commission, which was created in 1961 and now includes eight district commissioners. He profiles the commissioners and notes the challenges district commissioners face in balancing their duties.
• East Wind: The Eyes Have It, by Bill Marutani, page 5. Marutani reflects humorously on Nisei features, comparing the natural slant of Nisei eyes with the eyebrow-pencil efforts of others. He also comments on the difficulty Nisei face in finding eyeglass frames that fit Asian nose contours.
• Differentials Among Nonwhites, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The editorial summarizes a Schmid and Nobbe study comparing socioeconomic indicators among nonwhite groups, finding Japanese Americans ranked highest in education and occupation and second in income among the groups studied. The editors note that income disparity persists and suggest that structural assimilation, including greater participation in the host society’s institutions, is the next step.
• Letter re: History Project, by Robert A. Wilson, page 6. Robert A. Wilson, director of the Japanese American Research Project, writes to Mike Masaoka explaining the status of the project’s NIMH funding proposal of $404,177 over four years. He asks Masaoka to have western senators reiterate support to NIMH, as the project’s survival depends on congressional appropriations.
• Are Vietnam Veterans Eligible for Special Naturalization?, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The column explains that current law allows expedited naturalization for veterans of World War II and the Korean period but does not yet cover Vietnam hostilities. Several Congressional bills addressing Vietnam veterans have been introduced but not acted upon.

JACL

• Membership Nears Its All-Time High, by P.C. Staff, page 1. As of July 1, JACL membership was 1,322 short of last year’s all-time high of 22,504, with 17 chapters setting new records and 11 more surpassing last year’s enrollment. San Francisco led with 1,559 members, followed by San Jose and Chicago.
• Yuriko Nominated for Nisei of the Biennium, by P.C. Staff, page 1. New York choreographer Yuriko has been nominated by the New York JACL for the Nisei of the Biennium award, joining nine previous nominees. Five finalists will be selected, and the winner announced at the National Convention banquet July 30 in San Diego.
• Convention Agenda Released, by P.C. Staff, page 1. National JACL Headquarters released the 1966 San Diego convention agenda, beginning with a joint youth session on July 26 and including committee reports, sessions on Wednesday and Thursday, and the Saburo Kido testimonial luncheon. Election of national officers and convention bids are scheduled for the final session on Saturday morning.
• More Vigorous Management of Endowment Fund Proposed, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Dr. George Miyake, Endowment Fund chairman, is recommending that the National Council, with written consent of three-fourths of chapters, place fund assets under a more active and aggressive management structure. Net earnings for the past biennium were $19,065.93, and the fund’s market value reached $433,917.89.
• 54 Chapters Name Scholarship Bidders, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Fifty-four chapters nominated high school graduates for national JACL scholarships, with selection based on academic achievement, school and community service, character, financial need, and future promise. The list includes nominees from across the country, with the Pvt. Ben Frank Masaoka Memorial Scholarship of $400 the leading award.

National

• National Visitors Center Urged in Washington, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Rep. Spark M. Matsunaga (D-Hawaii) called for establishment of a National Visitors Center in or near the Capitol grounds. He urged the House Public Works Subcommittee to begin early planning for the facility.
• PC Article on Yen Claimants Inserted in Congressional Record by Rep. Miller, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Rep. George P. Miller (D-Calif.) entered into the Congressional Record a Masaoka newsletter, first published in the Pacific Citizen, urging settlement of remaining prewar Yokohama Specie Bank yen deposit claims. The newsletter argued the government has conceded the claims’ validity and has funds available for payment.
• Washington Newsletter: July 4 Recess, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Congress began its July 4 recess with major bills pending in both houses and an election-year outlook favoring Republican gains in the House. Masaoka reports the Civil Rights Act of 1966 was reported out of the House Judiciary Committee with a weakened fair housing provision, and urges constituents to contact their Congressmen.
• Mitsui Awarded Contract for U.S. Power Plant, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Mitsui & Co. of San Francisco was awarded a $1,352,634 Bureau of Reclamation contract to furnish generators for the Morrow Point power plant in Colorado. The bid was $178,218 lower than its nearest competitor after Buy American Act differentials were applied.
• Sparky Introduces Bill to Liberalize Tax on Reimbursed Moving Expenses, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Rep. Spark M. Matsunaga introduced legislation to exclude additional reimbursed moving expenses, such as storage, house-hunting trips, and temporary lodging, from employees’ taxable income. He argued that current law treats most reimbursed costs as income even though they are incurred for business reasons.
• Japan Air Lines to Start Global Flights Nov. 1, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Japan Air Lines announced plans to begin twice-weekly New York to Tokyo flights on November 1, becoming daily by March 1, and to extend service via San Francisco and New York to London. The plans are subject to governmental approval under a revised U.S.-Japan aviation agreement.

Incarceration & Redress

• History Project Calls for Federal Papers, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Robert A. Wilson, director of the Japanese American Research Project, sought access to government files on the Evacuation decision following the signing of the Freedom of Information Act. He requested items including War, State and Justice Department files, TFR-300 forms, and WRA and WCCA documents.
• Issei Starts Million Yen Scholarship Fund, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Seikichi Aihara, an 81-year-old Garden Grove pioneer, donated one million yen to Ehime Prefecture, Japan, to establish a scholarship fund. He arrived in the United States in 1903 and was among the first Japanese in Orange County.

Military & Veterans

• 12th Nisei Killed in Vietnam Action, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Sgt. Hachiro Imae, a Nisei Vietnam war hero and Silver Star winner, was killed in action June 26. He was Hawaii’s 52nd serviceman and the 12th Nisei to die in the Vietnam war.

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