JACL leadership, a chapter at work, and recalling the 1942 evacuation exhibit

Vol. 65, No. 16, October 20, 1967. 6 pages. View this issue

Jerry Enomoto, the JACL National President, opened the issue with a mid-biennium report and an invitation for members to write in. Bill Marutani described an exhibit on the 1942 forced removal shown at the EDC-MDC convention, including the notices that gave Japanese Americans about a week to settle their affairs. Takeso Shimoda’s first public address in America and Dr. Frank Sakamoto’s review of the Chicago convention also appear, and Roger Nikaido’s Washington newsletter covered the Supreme Court’s new term.

Chapter news fills much of the front page: a Nisei Soldiers Memorial Service honoring the 442nd, a Heart Mountain film evening in San Jose, and the Intermountain District Council convention in Salt Lake. Columns by Harry Honda, Yosh Hotta, Jeffrey Matsui and Alan Kumamoto follow, and the last page carries readers’ letters on Vietnam and chapter programs.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• Mid-Biennium Report, by Jerry Enomoto, page 1. JACL National President Jerry Enomoto reflects on the organization’s progress and calls for member feedback. He addresses concerns over Harold Gordon’s Vietnam column and the PC’s role as a forum for debate.
• Washington Newsletter: Supreme Court Decisions, by Roger Nikaido, page 2. The Supreme Court opened its new term declining to take up several racial issues, including school desegregation appeals and Dr. King’s contempt conviction. Nikaido also notes the Court’s recent term was significant for Japanese Americans, including the Yokohama Specie Bank ruling and the Proposition 14 decision.
• Chow mein feast and Shimoda address: Ambassador Shimoda’s Address, by Takeso Shimoda, page 3. Ambassador Takeso Shimoda’s first public address in America, delivered at the EDC-MDC convention in Chicago, discusses U.S.-Japan relations and Japanese American contributions. He also addresses Japan’s economic recovery and Asian development.
• Sounding Board: Irreverence of Time, by Jeffrey Matsui, page 4. Matsui recounts the story of Queen Liliuokalani, whose famous song is remembered today rather than her fight for Hawaiian sovereignty. He wonders how future generations will remember the Issei and Nisei.
• West Wind: Programs, by Yosh Hotta, page 4. Hotta comments on a chapter’s upcoming chow mein dinner and an award to a local high school senior. He also reflects on members of the JACL Japan Tour visiting the Tokyo onsen.
• Accent on Youth: Dear Mom and Dad, by Alan Kumamoto, page 4. Kumamoto responds to earlier comments about youth programs by highlighting the PSWDYC Jr. JACL service project in Tijuana. He urges parents to encourage and support their children’s aspirations.
• Letter: Vietnam Question, by Ray C. Makino, page 6. Makino responds to Harold Gordon’s columns, arguing that emotional thinking affected liberals in 1942 as well as today. He defends the Vietnam War and disputes claims that it is the most unpopular in U.S. history.
• Letter: Chapter programs defended, by Murriell L. Merrell, page 6. Hollywood JACL president Merrell responds to a prior article suggesting the chapter avoids community service, detailing its committee studies of local and Japanese charitable needs. She says the chapter is willing to help the less fortunate.
• Evacuation, Vietnam — and Civil Rights, by Lindsay, page 6. Lindsay draws parallels between protest during the Evacuation, the Vietnam conflict, and the Civil Rights movement. He argues JACL should support constructive, objective civil rights programs such as Self-Help Enterprises.

Incarceration & Redress

• Evacuees only had a week to get ready to settle personal affairs before entering Assembly center, by Bill Marutani, page 1. Bill Marutani recounts viewing an EDC-MDC convention exhibit on the 1942 evacuation, including the notices ordering Japanese Americans to assemble. He reflects on the exhibit’s artifacts and the photographs of camp life.
• Evacuees not given ample time, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The article continues the commentary on the EDC-MDC evacuation exhibit, reflecting on the short notice given evacuees and the lessons about democracy. It urges vigilance so such events are not repeated.

Community

• UC Berkeley’s Euclid Hall leased to student co-op group, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Euclid Hall, a former Nisei student dormitory, has been leased to the University Students’ Cooperative Association. The lease was made to address operating losses and property deterioration.
• Heart Mountain films to be shown Oct. 21, by P.C. Staff, page 1. San Jose Japanese American organizations will host an Issei pioneer appreciation dinner featuring films of Heart Mountain taken by Eiichi Sakauye. Issei over age 75 will be special guests.
• Stockton to host NC-WNDYC meeting, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The NC-WN District Youth Council will meet at Stockton Inn on Nov. 5. The session will not be concurrent with the adult district meeting in Salinas.
• S.F. schedules Bridge Tourney on Nov. 17, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The San Francisco JACL Bridge Club will hold its annual club championship on Nov. 17 with a side section for beginners. Defending champions will attempt to retain the perpetual trophy.
• ‘What Now JACL’ theme of IDC biennial confab, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Salt Lake JACL will host the 14th biennial Intermountain District Council convention Nov. 24-25. The civil rights workshop will feature William Marutani and Frank Chuman.
• Man-made chow mein feast awaits DC JACL, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Washington D.C. JACL women’s night affair will feature a chow mein dinner prepared by the men of the chapter. Tickets are $2 per adult and $1 per child.
• Salinas to host NC-WN quarterly, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The NC-WNDC fourth quarterly session will be hosted by Salinas Valley JACL on Nov. 19. Shirley Matsumura will be principal speaker and district officers will be installed.
• Fowler JACL to mark 15th year, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Fowler JACL will celebrate its 15th anniversary with a dinner honoring Issei agricultural pioneers. Akiji Yoshimura will be guest speaker.
• Dr. Kitano to address Orange County JACL, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Dr. Harry Kitano will speak at the Orange County JACL dinner meeting on Oct. 21 about the enryo syndrome controversy. The meeting will be held at the Water Wheel Restaurant.
• Convention chairman’s review of Chicago event, by Dr. Frank Sakamoto, page 3. Dr. Frank Sakamoto reviews the EDC-MDC convention in Chicago, highlighting the fashion show, banquet, and ambassador’s visit. He praises the organizers and the exhibit of camp artwork.
• Free week on JACL tour to Japan to be different, by Harry Honda, page 4. Harry Honda describes the free week following the JACL Japan Tour, during which members will explore Japan independently. He profiles several travelers and their individual plans.
• Chicago JACL history reprint note, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Seattle Chapter voted to perpetuate subscriptions to the Pacific Citizen at libraries in the name of Albert Bonus. Staff also note the reprint of Ambassador Shimoda’s address.

National

• Inouye book popular, in 3rd printing, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Senate Majority Leader Mike Mansfield praised Sen. Daniel Inouye at a dinner celebrating the third printing of Inouye’s autobiography. Inouye also recounted an amusing White House anecdote.
• Vocational Guidance Week set for October, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Rep. Patsy Mink introduced a bill to designate the last week in October as National Vocational Guidance Week. Senator Wayne Morse introduced an identical bill in the Senate.
• Politician still backs decision for Evacuation, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Former Canadian minister Howard Green defended the wartime internment of Japanese Canadians as necessary for national protection. He rejected charges that the policy was evil or coerced by B.C. politicians.

Military & Veterans

• WLA JACL plans memorial rites, by P.C. Staff, page 1. West Los Angeles JACL will sponsor a Nisei Soldiers Memorial Service on Oct. 29 honoring the 442nd and the rescue of the Lost Battalion. Lt. Col. Vincent Blaz will deliver the memorial address.

Obituaries

• Prewar JACL secretary Ken Utsunomiya succumbs at 57, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Ken Utsunomiya, longtime East Los Angeles JACLer and prewar national JACL secretary, died Oct. 9 after a prolonged illness. He had served as a civilian employee of U.S. Naval Intelligence and helped reactivate the Los Angeles JACL chapter.

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