Vol. 52, No. 20, May 19, 1961. 4 pages. View this issue
Veterans’ benefits led the news on May 19, 1961. Governor Edmund G. Brown signed Senate Bill 52, which made Japanese American veterans who were forced from California and later entered service from other states eligible for Cal-Vet benefits. The front page also announced that T. Scott Miyakawa, a Boston University sociologist, would direct research and writing for the JACL’s Issei Story project. Mike Masaoka’s Washington Newsletter covered civil rights bills introduced by Senator Joseph Clark and Congressman Emanuel Celler, and the California Assembly passed two civil rights bills.
Elsewhere in these four pages, Dr. Roy Nishikawa wrote about problems facing the JACL, and John Ball, Jr. answered a question about the film Suzie Wong with a short-short story. Memorial Day services at Golden Gate National Cemetery, a wind-driven fire in the Hollywood Hills, and Nisei Week queen events from East and Southwest Los Angeles also appeared.
What’s in this issue
Military & Veterans
- Cal-Vet Rights Extended to Nisei Veterans Who Entered Service from Other States, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Governor Edmund G. Brown signed Senate Bill 52 making Japanese American veterans evacuated from California who later entered service from other states eligible for Cal-Vet benefits. Witnesses at the signing included representatives of the JACL and VFW posts.
- Golden Gate Nisei VFW and NCWNDC to Co-Sponsor May 30 Memorial Day Services at San Bruno, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Memorial Day services will be held May 30 at Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno, sponsored by the Golden Gate Nisei VFW Post and the JACL NCWNDC. Disabled veterans and Gold Star parents will be honored guests, and speakers include Yori Wada.
- Nisei Doctors Honored by Keio University, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 1. Keio University in Tokyo conferred honors on two Nisei doctors, Dr. Fred Yoshihiko Fujikawa of Hawaii and Dr. Yuzuru Onchi, for their specialization in pulmonary diseases. The honor is rare for Nisei residing outside Japan.
- Minneapolis Nisei Veteran Dies While Fighting Fire, by P.C. Staff, page 1. William S. Ezaki, a World War II veteran of Co. H, 442nd, collapsed and died May 4 while extinguishing a fire on a rubbish truck at Waldron Cleaners in Minneapolis. He was buried at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.
Community
- Wind-Driven Fire Threatens Los Angeles Homes of Prominent Japanese Americans, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A Hollywood Hills brush fire destroyed eight homes and damaged others, including the homes of Japanese American personalities such as koto player Kiyoo Eto and National JACL president Frank Chuman. The Griffith Park area cherry trees donated by a local florist were also imperiled.
- Downtown JACL Publicly Honors Issei Women’s Group at New Moon Banquet, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Downtown Los Angeles JACL chapter hosted a banquet honoring members of the Southern California Japanese Women’s Federation, attended by about 150 people. Speakers praised the Fujinkai members for their decades of community service.
- Foundation Headed by Nisei Gets $1.3 Million Federal Housing Loan, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Strawberry Creek Lodge Foundation, headed by Yoshio Takakuwa, will receive a federal loan covering 98 percent of the cost of a senior citizens housing project in Berkeley. The foundation must raise about $30,000 toward its share.
- East L.A. JACL to Reveal Nisei Week Queen Candidate at Dance, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The East Los Angeles JACL chapter will hold a dance at the Emerald Ballroom to introduce its Nisei Week queen candidate, with proceeds funding scholarships at Roosevelt and Garfield High Schools. Aaron Gonzales and his orchestra will provide music.
- Southwest L.A. JACL Queentime Ball Set for June 3, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Southwest Los Angeles JACL will hold its fourth annual Queentime Ball at Old Dixie Ballroom on June 3 as part of the Nisei Week queen search. Benny Lorin and his orchestra will perform at the sports formal affair.
- Youth of Utah-Idaho Organized in Intermountain District Council, by Sub Kranero, page 4. The Intermountain District Council’s newly formed Jr. JACL will hold its second meeting in Pocatello May 28 to adopt a constitution. Plans include a Teen Grad Hop and a youth convention during the August district meeting.
- Salt Lake JACL Announces Scholarship Committee Rules, by Tomoko Yano, page 4. The Salt Lake JACL chapter announced rules for its $100 scholarship, which requires applicants to be high school graduates whose family members include chapter members. Decisions will be made by a committee chaired by Seiko Kasai.
- Contra Costa Chapter to Initiate $100 Scholarship Award, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Contra Costa JACL chapter will award its first $100 scholarship to a Japanese American high school graduate based on academic achievement, to be presented at the July 30 annual picnic. Applicants should contact the scholarship committee.
In-Depth
- Dr. Miyakawa Regards ‘Issei Story’ Task as Chance to Do Job That Has to Be Done, by P.C. Staff, page 1. T. Scott Miyakawa, a Boston University sociologist, will direct research and writing of the JACL’s Issei Story project, a thoroughly documented history of the Japanese in America. His background includes Fulbright scholarships, Ford Foundation support, and extensive international teaching.
National
- Washington Newsletter: Civil Rights Legislation, by Mike Masaoka, page 1. Senator Joseph Clark and Congressman Emanuel Celler introduced identical civil rights bills to fulfill the Democratic platform pledges, while the Kennedy administration believes no new legislation is currently needed. Masaoka notes the Civil Rights Commission faces expiration and that Congress may face a civil rights battle this year.
- Calif. Assembly Passes Two Major Civil Rights Bills: Housing and Licenses, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The California Assembly passed the Hawkins Fair Housing Act, allowing the State FEPC to enforce anti-discrimination in publicly assisted housing. A second bill requiring revocation of professional licenses for racial discrimination also passed the Assembly and moved to the Senate.
- Lobbyist Masaoka Urges Japan Take Firmer Stand Against Trade Controls, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Mike Masaoka, speaking as the first special speaker at a Northern California Japanese Chamber of Commerce event, urged Japan to resist American pressure for trade controls on textile and other exports. He cautioned Japanese manufacturers against price-cutting that would damage their reputation for quality.
Commentary
- Nisei View of Suzie Wong Movie Hypothetical Scene, by John Ball, Jr., page 3. Novelist John Ball, Jr. responds to a column question about how Nisei might have reacted to a film about a Japanese prostitute named Suzie Watanabe, presenting his reply as a short-short story. The piece explores the racial dynamics and reversed perspectives of interracial encounter.
- By the Board: Problems Facing JACL, by Dr. Roy Nishikawa, page 4. Dr. Roy Nishikawa, a Board member, analyzes key JACL problems including the lack of implementation of the 1960-70 Planning Commission program and inadequate professional staffing. He argues that the organization must shift toward staff-centered operations and better membership service to remain viable.
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