Vol. 60, No. 10, March 5, 1965. 6 pages. View this issue
JACL National President Kumeo Yoshinari used his column to urge more youth participation and unity in the organization, with adult leaders and parents helping to form a national Junior JACL. Civil rights news ran alongside it: Utah enacted its first civil rights law, a public accommodations bill, and Wyoming’s governor signed a repeal of the state’s anti-miscegenation law after a campaign led by JACL’s Mountain-Plains region. Mike Masaoka’s Washington Newsletter covered immigration testimony, and Bill Hosokawa’s column noted Nisei in the national press.
The six pages also hold local news. Rep. Spark Matsunaga was set to speak at the New York JACL installation, a JACL-sponsored health plan began in Northern California and Western Nevada, and Fred Aoyama was installed as Reno president for a fifth term. The paper proposed a journalism scholarship in memory of Larry Tajiri and reminded members that March 31 was the membership renewal cut-off.
What’s in this issue
Commentary
- Kumeo Yoshinari’s President’s Column on Youth and JACL Unity, by Kumeo Yoshinari, page 1. JACL National President Kumeo Yoshinari urges greater youth participation and unity within the organization. He stresses the importance of adult leadership and partnership with parents in forming a national Junior JACL.
- Washington Newsletter: Immigration Testimony, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Mike Masaoka’s Washington Newsletter discusses immigration testimony and legislative developments affecting Japanese Americans in Washington.
- Conflict in Law, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The editorial examines a conflict between Massachusetts state law barring employment records based on race and federal contract requirements that require such records to verify equal opportunity compliance. It argues the state law must be changed to allow pragmatic enforcement of equal employment.
- Cut-Off March 31, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Pacific Citizen reminds JACL members that March 31 is the cut-off date for membership renewals, which also determines PC subscriptions. The policy was adopted by the National JACL Council to ensure membership drives conclude early in the calendar year.
- From the Frying Pan, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Bill Hosokawa’s column highlights notable Nisei activities reported in the national press, including a Nisei interpreter who helped search for Japanese holdout soldiers on Guam. He also notes other Nisei achievements gaining coverage.
- Tajiri Memorial, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Pacific Citizen proposes establishing a scholarship for journalism students in memory of Larry Tajiri, former PC editor from 1942 to 1953. Contributions and ideas for the scholarship are invited through PC board chairman Dr. David Miura.
- Chapter Leadership and Goals in NCWNDC, by Dr. Tom Tokuda, page 4. NCWNDC chairman Dr. Tom Tokuda outlines goals for strengthening JACL chapters through dynamic leadership, activities, and membership growth. He offers practical suggestions for chapter presidents and officers to succeed.
- Obstacle to Progress: Provincialism, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The column argues that provincialism within chapters hinders JACL progress and recommends that chapter boards evaluate community needs. It urges chapters to offer services such as health insurance programs to better serve members.
Community
- Rep. Matsunaga to Address New York JACL Installation, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Rep. Spark Matsunaga will speak at the New York JACL installation dinner-dance on April 2. Reservations were due by March 3, with tickets priced for single, couple, and student attendees.
- JACL-CPS Health Plan for NC-WNDC Effective March 1, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The JACL-sponsored California Physicians Service health insurance plan for the Northern California-Western Nevada District Council took effect March 1 after reaching the minimum subscriber count. Eleven chapters are participating, and enrollment was extended to March 15 for chapters with delayed sign-up meetings.
- PSW Hi-Co Conference Scheduled Apr. 9-11, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The PSWDC High School-College Conference will be held April 9-11 at the Presbyterian Conference Camp during the Easter break. College students will answer high school questions about college life, with registration costing $26.
- Homeowners Near Farm Labor Camp Protest Skid-Row Recruits, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Huntington Beach homeowners near a farm labor camp protested the camp’s policy of recruiting workers from Los Angeles skid row. Residents described the situation as undesirable and sought action from local officials.
- Lynch Calls for License Loss for Race Bias, by P.C. Staff, page 3. California Attorney General Thomas C. Lynch asked the Legislature to pass a law revoking the state license of anyone practicing discrimination in a licensed profession. He also proposed legislation to combat block-busting in real estate.
- Nisei Architect Called for Rapid Transit Help, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A Nisei architect was asked to serve as a design consultant for Berkeley’s downtown rapid transit plan, which would improve the area between University Avenue and Bancroft Way. The architect’s preliminary design suggestions were presented to the transit committee.
- Tokyo Topics: Press Club Receptionist, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 3. Mary Ushijima, the Foreign Correspondents Club of Japan receptionist, is profiled for her warm service to press members in Tokyo. She is related to the Kinoshita family and has connections to Fukuoka pioneers.
- PNWDC Convention Dates Now Dec. 4-5, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Pacific Northwest District Council convention has been rescheduled to December 4-5 in Tacoma. Local JACL chapter officers are arranging the event.
- Youth Workshop in Portland, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Portland Junior JACL is hosting a three-day youth workshop in August as part of the Northwest District Council’s youth program. Funds are being raised to send a delegation to the national convention in San Diego.
- Chicago JACL Seeks Apartment Sign for Public Housing, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Chicago JACL is seeking Japanese American service community support for public housing registration with the Chicago Housing Authority. Registrants were encouraged to apply as early as possible.
National
- 1st Civil Rights Bill Passed in State of Utah, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Utah has enacted its first civil rights law, a public accommodations bill. Three more civil rights bills are reportedly being considered in the state legislature.
- Wyoming Governor Signs Bill Repealing Miscegenation Law, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Wyoming Governor Clifford Hansen signed a bill repealing the state’s anti-miscegenation law, which had penalized marriages involving Caucasians with Orientals, Negroes, and Malaysians. The repeal was the result of a campaign led by JACL’s Mountain-Plains region and allied groups.
- Teens May Help Harvest California Crops This Summer, by P.C. Staff, page 1. California officials hoped to recruit about 90,000 teenage youths for summer harvest work after Gov. Brown rejected a revival of the Bracero program. Appeals were made to employers and youth to fill farm labor shortages.
Obituaries
- Henry Tani, 50, Dies of Heart Attack, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Henry Tani, 50, national director of youth work for the Evangelical and Reformed Church, died of a heart attack. He had served in youth ministry and written a book on youth work, and is survived by his wife, sons, daughter, and family.
JACL
- Fred Aoyama Heads Reno for 5th Time, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Fred Aoyama was installed as president of the Reno JACL chapter for a fifth term at a February 20 dinner meeting. The chapter has served as a key organization in the Northern California-Western Nevada region.
- Rep. Walter Memorial Fund Appeal for Support, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL appealed for contributions to a memorial fund honoring the late Congressman Francis E. Walter, who was described as the most effective friend Japanese Americans and JACL had in Congress in the postwar decade. Walter sponsored key legislation including the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 that ended racial bars to naturalization for Japanese immigrants.
Incarceration & Redress
- Little Lady Battled Alien Land Law, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Alice Brown, a Caucasian woman, wrote letters on behalf of Japanese Americans opposing the California Alien Land Law, drawing attention to the injustice of the law. Her efforts were praised by Japanese community leaders and friends in Sacramento.
Military & Veterans
- Captive Whale Gertie Is Shipped to Sea World, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Nisei commercial whaler Ken Hamai helped capture and transport a young California gray whale, named Gertie, for Sea World. The capture involved a harpoon, a catamaran, and a difficult pursuit off Baja California.
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