Vol. 56, No. 18, May 3, 1963. 4 pages. View this issue
Civil rights ran through this four-page issue. Oregon’s legislature passed SB 415, ending a tax dispute over the few remaining evacuation claims that the JACL had pursued in the Pacific Northwest. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously that segregation in courtrooms is unconstitutional, and the paper followed fair housing bills in California and Washington and a repeal fight in Montgomery County, Maryland. Mike Masaoka’s Washington newsletter examined a Supreme Court decision on employment discrimination, and Bill Hosokawa’s column profiled cinematographer Toge Fujihira.
Other pages cover Ryuji Takeuchi presenting his credentials as Japan’s new ambassador, a Hawaii judicial appointment that stirred a Democratic dispute, and plans for the 1964 All-Nisei Veterans reunion in Seattle. Cheryl Inouye reported on the Hi-Co youth conference. Chapter news includes the PSWDC convention, the Detroit national convention planned for 1964, and Edison Uno’s election as credit union president.
What’s in this issue
National
- Oregon Passes Own Version of No-Tax on Claims, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Oregon’s legislature passed SB 415 to prevent the state tax commission from collecting taxes on remaining evacuation claims payments. The bill ended a Nisei tax dispute that the JACL had pursued in the Pacific Northwest.
- New Japanese Ambassador Presents Credentials, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Ryuji Takeuchi presented his credentials to President Kennedy on April 25, formally becoming Japan’s fifth postwar ambassador. His career includes posts in Peking, Washington, and the Japanese delegation to the San Francisco Peace Conference.
- Supreme Court Ban Extended to All Public Facilities, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled that racial segregation in courtrooms violates the Constitution, extending the ban to all public facilities. The case arose from a Richmond, Virginia incident involving Johnson, who was convicted of contempt for refusing to sit in a segregated section.
- Drive to Kill Civil Rights Law Embroils Washington Suburb, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Montgomery County, Maryland considered repealing its public accommodations ordinance, sparking controversy near the nation’s capital. JACL members testified strongly against repeal, arguing the law protects civil rights.
- Destiny of Calif. Fair Housing Bill Now Matter of State Senate Leadership, by P.C. Staff, page 1. California’s AB 1240 fair housing bill passed the Assembly 47 to 25 and now awaits State Senate action. Advocates urged Senate leadership to bring the measure to a floor vote.
- Fair Housing Bills in Washington Die in Committee, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Washington State Legislature let all new civil rights and fair housing bills die in committee during its 1961 session. The state board’s remaining hope rested with a pending state supreme court decision.
Community
- CCDC Scholarship Winners Announced, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Diane Hirasuna of McLane High and Elaine Sasaki of Fresno High were named winners of the Central California District Council scholarships. The awards support students pursuing college education.
- Appointment of Nisei to Honolulu Bench Causes First Public Democratic Flareup, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Governor Burns planned to appoint Ryutaro Okino to a Circuit Court bench in Hawaii, drawing criticism from Senator Yoshinaga. Yoshinaga accused Burns of breaking promises and introduced a resolution asking the governor to delay the nomination.
- From the Frying Pan, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Hosokawa profiles documentary cinematographer Toge Fujihira, who met several Nisei working abroad in India, Nepal, and Pakistan. The column highlights Nisei contributions to development work overseas.
- Hawaii Nisei Appointment Political Developments, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Hawaii Nisei news items cover the Okino judicial appointment controversy and related Senate maneuvers. The report notes Okino’s expected confirmation before the session ends.
- PSW Convention Preregistration Deadline May 10, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The PSWDC convention at the Thunderbird International Hotel in El Segundo has a preregistration package deal deadline of May 10. Organizers urge chapters to submit reservations early.
- King Accepts PSW Invitation to Speak May 18, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Congressman Clair Engle… Congressman Cecil King accepted an invitation to be principal banquet speaker at the PSWDC convention on May 18. National JACL will present him a scroll of appreciation for his help on evacuation claims legislation.
- Go Detroit in ’64: Must Attend in 64, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Detroit prepares to host the 1964 JACL National Convention and urges members to attend. The article highlights the city’s history and planned convention events.
- Sonoma County Set for NC-WNDC Session, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Sonoma County JACL prepares to host the second quarterly NC-WNDC council session at the Flamingo Hotel in Santa Rosa. Registration and youth activities are planned for delegates.
- S.F. JACL Credit Union Elects Edison Uno President, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Edison Uno was elected president of the San Francisco JACL Credit Union board at its 15th annual dinner meeting. Other officers were also named for the 1963 term.
Commentary
- Masaoka Washington Newsletter: Employment Discrimination, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Masaoka analyzes the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Colorado Anti-Discrimination Commission v. Continental Air Lines, which upheld state authority to prohibit racial hiring discrimination by interstate carriers. The ruling reversed the Colorado Supreme Court and affirmed state fair employment laws.
- Li’l Tokio Nomiya Problem, by P.C. Staff, page 2. An editorial examines the proliferation of drinking establishments in Li’l Tokio following a tragic April shooting. It contrasts Japanese and American drinking customs and urges the community to address the problem.
- Wheat Referendum Reaction, by Bill Enomoto, page 2. Enomoto criticizes a previous PC article on the wheat referendum as one-sided and promoting Secretary Freeman’s position. He argues wheat program controls harm young farmers and that market forces should guide production.
- Chapter Issue, by Downtown Los Angeles JACL Board of Governors, page 2. The Downtown Los Angeles JACL Chapter board praises the special chapter edition of the Pacific Citizen as an informative resource for all chapter officers. They thank the editors for their work on the newspaper.
- Hi-Co Highlights and Hi-Jinks, by Cheryl Inouye, page 4. Inouye recounts the 1963 Hi-Co youth conference at Camp Colby, covering registration, college life orientation, and career discussions. The report offers a candid view of delegate experiences and the conference program.
Military & Veterans
- Nisei Veterans Reunion in Seattle, by Elmer Ogawa, page 2. Seattle prepares to host the All-Nisei Veterans reunion in 1964 marking the 23rd anniversary of the 442nd formation. A fundraising luau previewed Hawaiian entertainment and food for the expected island visitors.
- Hawaii Legislature Passes Little FEPC Bill, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Hawaii legislature sent a so-called little FEPC bill to Governor Burns prohibiting employment discrimination based on race, creed, color, or ancestry. The bill would apply penalties of fines and jail time to violators.
Obituaries
- Deaths, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Deaths column lists recent passings in the Japanese American community, including Saburo Shimatsu, father of a West L.A. JACL president. Entries cover several pioneers and longtime community members.
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