Spark Matsunaga honored as the 1963 civil rights bill moved ahead

Vol. 57, No. 14, October 4, 1963. 4 pages. View this issue

Civil rights and the legislative process ran through this four-page issue. The front page showed Rep. Spark M. Matsunaga receiving a silver bowl for his contributions to lawmaking, with National JACL President K. Patrick Okura beside him. Matsunaga also said his biggest achievement was helping defeat the bracero law, and Sen. Hiram Fong pledged a continued fight for civil rights. Mike Masaoka’s Washington Newsletter followed the 1963 civil rights bill through committee, and a front-page story reported Vice President Lyndon Johnson’s equal employment conference set for Los Angeles on November 14.

Also inside: the Nagata family of Fremont, who lost their home to fire while the Fremont JACL organized help. Bill Hosokawa wrote about Independence Hall and about Dr. Charles Kambe, a Nisei surgeon in Philadelphia. Pages 1 and 3 carry chapter news, including a Pocatello Teahouse booth, Oakland’s visitors from Fukuoka, and Sacramento’s talent show.

What’s in this issue

Community

  • Nagata Family Loses Everything in Fremont Home Fire; No One Injured, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A fire destroyed the Nagata family’s two-story home in Fremont, leaving the couple and their eight children with few belongings. The Fremont JACL and local religious groups responded with an emergency fund and donations to help the family.
  • JACL Chapter Life in Idaho Topic for Magazine, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Idaho News will feature a story on Idaho JACL chapters in its October issue. The article notes the publicity follows the successful SJR-1 campaign to remove a constitutional restriction on naturalized Issei holding office.
  • CCDC Convention Set for Dec. 8 at Hacienda, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Central California District Council convention will be held in Fresno on December 8 at the Hacienda motel. Judge John F. Aiso will keynote, and new district and chapter officers will be installed.
  • Pocatello JACL Teahouse Booth Nets $1,000 at Fair, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Pocatello JACL operated a Teahouse booth at the East Idaho State Fair, serving over 2,000 dinners and earning about $1,000 toward its community hall building fund. Chapter leaders credited volunteers and donated equipment for the success.
  • Dr. Kitano to Address UCLA Public Lecture Series, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Dr. Harry Kitano, associate professor of social welfare, will speak on the Japanese in America as a possible model for minority groups in a UCLA public lecture series. The lecture is free and open to the public on October 21.
  • Nisei Angle: Dr. Charles Kambe in Philadelphia, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Dr. Charles Kambe, a University of Washington pre-med graduate, was admitted to medical school after Nisei classmates intervened on his behalf. He now runs a surgical practice and chairs a surgery department.
  • Hisaoka Impeachment Charges Reported in Hawaii, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Hawaii County Supervisor Hisaoka responded to impeachment charges arising from a Kohala hospital construction project. He said the allegations would be answered at the proper time.
  • Shimatsu, Ogata & Kubota Mortuary Notices, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Brief notice of local mortuary services and community announcements. Included for completeness.
  • Gardena Valley Escrow Corp. Opens, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Gardena Valley Escrow Corp., believed to be the first Nisei-established escrow office of its kind in the state, opened for business early this month. Paul Bannai serves as president.
  • Nisei Chairs Gov. Brown’s Traffic Safety Conference, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Mrs. Hideo Kodani of Pacific Palisades was appointed general chairman of the Governor Brown Conference on Traffic Safety held in Sacramento. She is a member of the President’s Committee for Traffic Safety.
  • Haz-More Fashion Review in San Francisco, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A crowd of 650 attended the Haz-More Studio of Dress fashion review at the St. Francis Hotel, where about 40 student designers showed their garments. Mrs. Kil Kubokawa directed the show.
  • Dayton JACL Picnic at Triangle Park, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Dayton JACLers held their picnic on August 25 at Triangle Park despite threatening rain. Gladys Inouye and Ken Sito were recognized for their work organizing the event.
  • Chicago Jr. JACL Picnic Braves Weather, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Thirty Chicago Jr. JACL members braved rain and wind at a Montrose Park outing. The group enjoyed the event despite the weather.
  • Sacramento JACL Stars of Tomorrow Talent Show, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Sacramento JACL will hold its annual Stars of Tomorrow talent revue on November 16 at the Buddhist Church. Proceeds go toward the chapter’s quota and 1000 Club recognition is offered.
  • San Fernando Valley JACL to Hear Mrs. Stern, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Mrs. Meyer Stern, commissioner of education for the Federation of Coordinating Councils, will address the San Fernando Valley JACL general meeting on October 12. She is familiar with minority problems in education and delinquency.
  • San Francisco JACL Bridge Tournament, by P.C. Staff, page 3. San Francisco JACLers and friends will compete in a bridge tournament on October 25 at the YWCA with championship and open sections. Eddie Moriguchi chairs the event.
  • Oakland JACL Wills and Estates Meeting, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Oakland JACL’s general meeting on October 11 will feature attorney Alexander Calhoun discussing the importance of making wills. The session is open to the public.
  • Oakland JACL Hosts Fukuoka Visitors and International Festival, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Oakland JACL welcomed a 23-member delegation from sister city Fukuoka, Japan, and will participate again in the International Festival. The chapter plans a Japan booth and dance program.
  • Oakland JACL Hawaiian Luau Success, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Oakland JACL Night in Hawaii luau on September 7 was a tremendous success, with entertainers and a Polynesian-themed setting. Organizers thanked the many volunteers who made it possible.

National

  • Negro Demands for Preferential Job Treatment Not Fair, Conrad Says, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Assemblyman Charles Conrad said preferential hiring of Negroes in Los Angeles movie and television jobs would violate California’s Fair Employment Practices Act. He cited an opinion from the state legislative counsel to support his position.
  • Vice President Johnson Calls L.A. Regional EEO Conference for Nov. 14, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Vice President Lyndon Johnson announced an Equal Employment Opportunity regional conference in Los Angeles on November 14. The conference will address problems of all minority groups, and JACL planned to attend.
  • Roybal Speech Stirs Interest in Federal Aid for Li’l Tokio, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Congressman Edward Roybal told a Li’l Tokio luncheon that a $500 million area redevelopment appropriations bill could assist redevelopment plans there. He also discussed his work on water needs and civil service pay comparability.
  • Language School Director Resigns, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Dr. Yaemitsu Sugimachi resigned as president of the Japanese Language School United System due to health reasons. The board recommended Masatane Mitani as his successor.
  • Biggest Achievement Is Defeat of Bracero Law, Says Matsunaga, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Rep. Spark Matsunaga said his greatest accomplishment in office was helping defeat Public Law 78, the bracero farm labor program. He discussed the House and Senate actions on extending the program.
  • Sen. Fong Pledges Continued Fight for Civil Rights, Fair Play, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Senator Hiram Fong addressed the ILWU convention in Honolulu, pledging support for civil rights, immigration reform, fair courts, and opposition to legalized wiretapping. He called civil rights legislation the greatest unfinished domestic business.
  • Nisei Deputy D.A. in Charge of Suburb Office, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Morio L. Firkuto was promoted from the trials division of the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office to deputy in charge of the Huntington Park office. He joined the DA staff in 1957.

JACL

  • Puyallup Valley JACL Orders Decals for Autos, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Puyallup Valley JACL will order JACL emblem decals from National Headquarters for members to display on their automobiles. Chapter president George Iwakiri made the announcement.

In-Depth

  • Health of AJAs on Oahu Found Superior, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A Public Health Service survey found Japanese Americans on Oahu have better health than other island groups and the national population. The study noted higher asthma-hay fever rates and greater dental visit frequency among them.

Arts & Entertainment

  • Modern Dance Basis for Therapy Study, by Tomoko Yano, page 1. Emiko Tokunaga, a Sansei modern dance student from Salt Lake City, is pursuing a master’s degree in occupational therapy at Columbia University on a federal grant. Her sister Sachiko is also pursuing graduate studies.

Commentary

  • Washington Newsletter: Civil Rights Bill Hurdles Ahead, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Mike Masaoka reviews the progress of the 1963 civil rights bill through House and Senate committees and its key provisions on voting, public accommodations, and fair employment. He notes significant hurdles remain before enactment.
  • Downtown Dittics, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Bill Hosokawa describes a visit to Philadelphia’s Independence Hall and reflects on how wartime evacuation suspended civil liberties. He also profiles Dr. Charles Kambe, a Nisei surgeon who overcame prejudice to enter medical school.

Military & Veterans

  • Peace Corps Farmers Wanted, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Peace Corps is seeking agricultural workers with skills in areas such as animal husbandry and farm mechanics. Interested applicants were directed to write for information.

Sports

  • Nisei Boxing Promoter Seeks License, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Shige Takahashi, a longtime boxing trainer and promoter, announced he would apply for a professional boxing promoter’s license in Stockton. He has managed numerous amateur and professional boxers.
  • Kay Yoshimoto Bowling Notes, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Bowling reports from Nisei leagues, highlighting individual scores and team standings. The column covers Crenshaw and Holiday Bowl league play.

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