The Issei Story Project and the Pocatello convention, 1961

Vol. 53, No. 5, August 4, 1961. 4 pages. View this issue

The Issei Story Project and the coming Intermountain District Council convention in Pocatello, Idaho, filled the front page of this four-page issue. A garage full of historical data on Japanese in America, given by the family of the late Danzo Kiyohara, was headed to JACL care. Shig Wakamatsu called the project the most comprehensive in JACL history, and Mike Masaoka wrote about the IDC’s role during World War II. The convention marks the district’s 20th anniversary, with a first junior JACL convention and an Issei testimonial.

Other items include Larry Tajiri’s review of the film Bridge to the Sun, Saburo Kido’s account of early JACL lobbying for naturalization rights for Japanese World War I veterans, and Masaoka’s editorial on the President’s July address. The Seattle chapter’s Seafair float prizes, a Twin Cities convention preview, and a Salt Lake scholarship winner also appear.

What’s in this issue

Community

• Issei Story Data, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Southwest L.A. JACL has no Issei Story chairman, but the chapter is poised to make a major contribution to the Issei Story Project. A garage full of historical data on Japanese in America, donated by the family of the late Danzo Kiyohara, will be cataloged and stored under JACL care.
• Pocatello All Set for 20th Anniversary Meet, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Intermountain District Council convention in Pocatello, Idaho, celebrates its 20th anniversary with a program including the first junior JACL convention, banquets, and an Issei testimonial honoring Dr. A. Ray Olpin. Delegates will also address contemporary Cold War concerns alongside JACL’s organizational business.
• Summer Cottons for Delegates Urged, by Sanaye Yamacche, page 1. A Pocatello writer offers practical clothing suggestions for women attending the Intermountain District Council convention in August heat. She outlines outfits for the luncheon, social events, Issei dinner, breakfast, and Saturday evening ball.
• Seattle Chapter Float Wins Top Two Prizes in Seafair Parade, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Seattle JACL float won the King Neptune Trophy and the Allied Florists Trophy in the Seafair Grande Parade, and also placed first in the Lake City parade. The float featured a simulated wisteria tree of orchids and a mikoshi decorated with carnations.
• Twin Cities Ready to Raise Curtain on Fourth Biennial EDC-MDC Convention Sept. 1, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The joint Eastern and Midwest District Council convention in the Twin Cities runs over Labor Day weekend with a package deal of $14. Keynote speakers include National President Frank Chuman and Congressman Walter Judd, with a sports formal Sayonara Ball closing the event.
• Issei Story Project Moving Along All Fronts, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Dr. T. Scott Miyakawa has been consulting with historians and sociologists on the JACL Issei History Project, receiving suggestions on scope and research angles. Volunteers including Tak Shindo have offered to help gather material for the project.
• Comprehensive Study at Scholarly Pace, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Shig Wakamatsu, chairman of the JACL Issei History Project committee, describes the project as the most comprehensive undertaking in JACL history. He says it will take three to four years and must proceed at a scholarly pace.
• Permanent Committee to Promote L.A.-Nagoya Sister Cities, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Los Angeles Mayor Samuel Yorty announced a permanent Nagoya-Los Angeles Sister City Committee that will include three Nisei and three Japanese members. The committee will promote understanding and goodwill between the two cities.
• Nisei Scholarship Winner: Karen Sasaki Named Salt Lake Chapter Recipient, by Tomoko Yano, page 1. Karen Sasaki, an 18-year-old West High graduate, was selected to receive the $100 Salt Lake Chapter Scholarship. She was active in school publications, clubs, and church youth activities, and plans to study commercial art at the University of Utah.
• Chapter News Items, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Several chapters including Salt Lake City, Milwaukee, Pocatello, and Portland reported on members’ travels, visits, and family news. Notes cover summer trips, a Hawaiian luau, and a grandchild born to a member family.
• Seattle Chapter Float Wins Recognition, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Continued coverage of community events and chapter news from the Pacific Citizen issue. Items include chapter activities and member accomplishments.
• Nisei Architect Wins New Jersey Award for Medical Building Design, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Noboru Kobayashi of Red Bank, New Jersey, won a top award from the New Jersey Society of Architects for a medical building in Raritan Township. The contemporary design features brick walls, interior courtyards, and a pool and fountain.
• Los Angeles Newsletter: Nisei Week Festival, by Henry Mori, page 3. Henry Mori comments on the Nisei Week Festival in Los Angeles, including the queen contest, the public judging of candidates, and the financial stakes for local merchants and the community.
• Chapter Issei Story Project Chairmen, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A listing of local JACL chapter Issei Story Project chairmen across the Pacific Northwest, Northern California, Mountain Plains, Midwest, and Eastern districts. Readers are urged to contact their chapter chairmen to donate historical materials.
• IDC Convention Schedule and Registration, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The schedule for the Intermountain District Council and first junior IDC convention in Pocatello lists registration, luncheons, the Issei testimonial dinner, fashion show, banquet, and ball. Registration packages and hotel information are included.

Commentary

• Intermountain JACL Convention, by Mike Masaoka, page 1. Masaoka recounts how the Intermountain District Council sustained the JACL during World War II, when West Coast chapters were closed by mass evacuation and National Headquarters relocated to Salt Lake City. He argues the IDC deserves recognition for bridging chapters across the country and for its leadership in the current Cold War crisis.
• Peace Without Surrender, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The editorial praises President Kennedy’s July address calling for American resolve against Sino-Soviet intransigence while seeking negotiation. It argues that the nation must be ready both to talk and to resist with force.
• Pacific Topics: Good Turn by the Sr. Tri-Villes, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 2. The columnist recalls post-war aid from American groups that helped Japanese survive starvation. He praises the Sr. Tri-Villes Rotary service group for a good turn to Japan and urges more public service spirit among Rotary members.
• PC Letter Box: Nisei Public Relations, by Clifford Uyeda, page 2. Clifford Uyeda responds to a previous article on public relations, arguing that PR work is an individual effort but that personal success reflects on the group. He reflects on his own earlier views about individual achievement versus group identity.
• Washington Editorial: Peace Without Surrender, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. The editorial examines the meaning of the President’s July 25 address on the crisis with the Sino-Soviet bloc. It argues that American preparedness is needed to deter aggression and that Japanese Americans will contribute as they did in past wars.

Military & Veterans

• Ex-442 GI Promoted Reserve Colonel, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Hawaii State Senator Sakahashi was promoted to colonel in the Army Reserve and commands the 322nd Civil Affairs Group. He previously served in Italy and France with the 100th Battalion and 442nd Regimental Combat Team during World War II.

Incarceration & Redress

• Chapters Completing Preliminary Survey, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Many JACL chapters have completed Instruction I of the Issei History Project, a preliminary survey of local source material. Akiji Yoshimura, chapter liaison chairman, reported an enthusiastic response from chapters.

Arts & Entertainment

• Bridge to the Sun in Film Festival, by Larry Tajiri, page 3. Larry Tajiri reviews the film adaptation of Gwen Terasaki’s story Bridge to the Sun, selected as the official entry at a film festival. He discusses casting, including Yoshiko Yamaguchi and James Shigeta, and the film’s treatment of Japanese American subjects.

JACL

• Membership Report and Board Action on PC Dues, by Jim Higashi, page 4. Business Manager Jim Higashi reports that the Pacific Citizen subscription with membership dues will be handled through National Headquarters, with the 1000 Club and membership renewals acknowledged for July. He thanks chapters for cooperation in the membership drive.
• Yoshino Appointed Deputy Director of Field Services on President’s Committee, by P.C. Staff, page 4. John Y. Yoshino has been named deputy director of field services for the President’s Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity. He previously served as contract compliance advisor and has a background in labor relations and social work.
• Living with JACL, Part VIII, by Saburo Kido, page 4. Saburo Kido recounts JACL’s early lobbying campaign for naturalization rights for Japanese World War I veterans. He describes financial support from Alexander and the strategy of expanding the bill’s language to include all Orientals.

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