Civil rights and Matsunaga’s first House speech, March 1963

Vol. 56, No. 13, March 29, 1963. 4 pages. View this issue

Civil rights ran through the March 29, 1963 issue. National JACL President Patrick Okura testified for pending civil rights legislation, and JACL members Edwin Mitoma and Mike Masaoka attended the National Civil Liberties Clearing House conference in Washington, D.C. South Dakota and Kentucky both acted on discrimination bills, and Nisei in Berkeley organized for a fair housing ordinance. Rep. Spark M. Matsunaga gave his maiden House speech marking the fourth anniversary of Hawaii statehood, and Senator Daniel K. Inouye spoke to 650 veterans at the 20th anniversary reunion of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team in Honolulu.

Elsewhere in these four pages: Larry Tajiri on Eiji Okada in The Ugly American, Allan Beekman’s review of the film Shaka, and Min Inadomi’s column Am I My Brother’s Keeper? Chapter news covers Imperial Valley’s picnic for 17 Issei pioneers, the crowning of Miss Junior JACL in San Francisco, and a proposed Buddha Day holiday in Hawaii.

What’s in this issue

National

• Rep. Matsunaga Delivers Maiden Speech on Floor of House in Tribute to Statehood, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Rep. Spark M. Matsunaga (D., Hawaii) gave his maiden House speech on March 18 marking the fourth anniversary of Hawaii statehood. He described Hawaii’s unique path into the United States through assimilation of American political and social ideals.
• Okura Testifies for Civil Rights Bill Before Senate Committee, by P.C. Staff, page 1. National JACL President Patrick Okura testified on behalf of pending civil rights legislation, having written to all 42 state senators to express JACL’s interest. The article covers JACL’s advocacy for federal civil rights protections.
• JACLers Attend 15th Annual Conference of National Civil Liberties Clearing House, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Edwin Mitoma and Mike Masaoka represented JACL at the 15th annual National Civil Liberties Clearing House conference in Washington, D.C. The conference covered housing discrimination, religion in schools, and the centennial of the Emancipation Proclamation.
• South Dakota Approves Civil Rights Bill; Kentucky Adopts Fair Practices Code, by P.C. Staff, page 2. South Dakota approved a civil rights bill prohibiting discrimination in public accommodations, effective July 1, 1963. Kentucky became the first southern state to adopt a fair practices code prohibiting employment and housing discrimination.

Community

• Rep. Cecil King to Address PSWDC Convention Banquet, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Congressman Cecil R. King has been invited to speak at the PSWDC convention banquet on May 18 in El Segundo, where he will receive the National JACL Scroll of Appreciation. King is recognized for his legislative work on behalf of Japanese Americans, including clarifying that evacuation claim awards are not federally taxable.
• D.C. to Host Next EDC Meeting June 1-2, by Emily Sano, page 1. The Washington, D.C. JACL will host the next Eastern District Council meeting on June 12 at the Burlington Hotel. Three district appointments were also announced, including new legal counsel and membership coordinator.
• Keiro Home Support in Japan Mounts; Art Treasures Collected, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 1. Support for the proposed Keiro Home, a convalescent facility for Issei in Los Angeles, has grown in Japan, where art treasures are being collected for auction to raise funds. Local organizations in Los Angeles also endorsed the drive, which aims to raise $300,000.
• Salt Lake JACLers Join Volunteer Move to Aid Ankara Air Disaster Victims, by Tomoko Yano, page 1. The Salt Lake JACL chapter joined Salt Lake City organizations in a citizen-led effort to send a kidney machine and friendship scroll to Ankara, Turkey, after a midair plane collision. The initiative was sparked by a local housewife and involved nearly 100 community groups.
• Stockton Japanese Garden Project at Micke Grove Nears Completion, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Issei and Nisei groups in San Joaquin County are raising funds to complete a Japanese garden at Micke Grove, with cherry trees in bloom and installations progressing. The project needs about $2,500 to cover outstanding material bills.
• Many Nisei File for School Trustee Posts, by P.C. Staff, page 1. At least 17 Nisei, 14 of them incumbents, are candidates for school trustee positions in Northern and Central California district elections on April 16. The article lists candidates by district.
• JACLer Designs Emblem for City of Idaho Falls, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Idaho Falls City Council accepted an emblem designed by JACLer Fred Ochi, which will appear on city vehicles, uniforms, and stationery. Mayor J.W. O’Bryant approved the design.
• Gilroy Elects Kunimura Parks and Recreation Head, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Masaru ‘Moose’ Kunimura, an active JACL member, was selected chairman of the Gilroy City Parks and Recreation Commission. He has long been active in local sports leagues and community organizations.
• Idaho Lass Honorary Page at State Capitol, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Mary Ann Wakasugi of Weiser, Idaho served as honorary page at the Oregon State Legislature for two days, spending one day each in the Senate and House. The program introduces high school students to state government.
• Idaho Falls JACLer Compares Spanish-Speaking Americans’ Struggles to Early Nisei Experience, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Mrs. Yoshi Ochi, a member of the Idaho Advisory Committee to the U.S. Civil Rights Commission, reported that Spanish-speaking Americans face discrimination similar to that Japanese Americans endured 25 to 30 years ago. She urged Nisei to help by drawing on their own experiences.
• Chapter Women Delight Men a la Geisha at San Fernando Valley Event, by Sue Ogimachi, page 4. The San Fernando Valley JACL ladies reciprocated the previous year’s event with a geisha-themed evening where husbands were served by women in costume. Performances included Japanese dance and koto music.
• Imperial Valley Honors 17 Issei Pioneers at Community Picnic, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Some 200 Imperial Valley residents honored 17 Issei pioneers at a community picnic at Sunbeam Lake sponsored by the Imperial Valley JACL. Small gifts and handmade aprons were presented to the honorees.
• Georgette Omi Crowned Miss Junior JACL in San Francisco, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Georgette Omi, an 18-year-old Oriental language major at San Francisco State College, was crowned Miss Junior JACL at the Presidio YMCA on March 16. Judging was based on appearance, poise, awareness of JACL, and popular vote.
• West Los Angeles Youth Group Under JACL Supervision Proposed, by Haru Nakata, page 4. Students from University High and Santa Monica High are organizing a West Los Angeles Youth Group under JACL supervision. A steering committee is exploring program interests, including a possible scholarship fund.
• Chicago Minister Explains Meaning of Albany Movement, by Chiye Tomihiro, page 4. Rev. James Shiflett described the Albany Movement, including his arrest during a prayer vigil and a 24-hour fast undertaken in penance for segregation. He spoke to the Chicago JACL Chapter about the peaceful integration of Albany’s public library.
• Buddha Day Bill Introduced in Hawaii Legislature, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Rep. Jack Suwa of the Big Island introduced a House bill to designate Buddha’s birthday, April 8, as a legal state holiday in Hawaii. The resolution notes that thousands of Hawaii residents already celebrate the day.

Incarceration & Redress

• Berkeley Nisei Organize Fair Housing Group, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A Nisei Citizens for Good Government group formed in Berkeley to secure support for a fair housing ordinance on the April 2 ballot. Governor Brown publicly endorsed the ordinance, and the Berkeley JACL chapter also took a stand in favor.

Obituaries

• Henry C. Stenzel, JACL Benefactor in Milwaukee, Succumbs, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Henry C. Stenzel, founder of H.O. Stenzel Tire Co. and a National JACL sponsor, died at age 79. He was a charter president of the Milwaukee JACL chapter and helped Nisei resettle by offering them jobs.

Military & Veterans

• Inouye Warns 442nd Veterans to Beware of ‘Super-Patriots’, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Senator Daniel K. Inouye addressed 650 veterans at the 20th anniversary reunion of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team in Honolulu, warning against super-patriots who claim the Constitution protects only those who look and sound like themselves. He recounted the unit’s history and the post-war world situation, urging veterans to keep the torch of liberty burning.

Arts & Entertainment

• ‘The Ugly American’ Features Eiji Okada in Major Hollywood Role, by Larry Tajiri, page 3. Eiji Okada delivers a powerful performance in Universal’s ‘The Ugly American,’ the first major Hollywood role for a Japanese actor since Sessue Hayakawa. The film addresses American foreign policy in non-white areas and features several Nisei in supporting roles.
• Epic Film ‘Shaka’ Is Memorable, by Allan Beekman, page 3. Toho Studio’s large-scale color film ‘Shaka’ retells the life of Siddhartha Gautama, the man who became Buddha, with Kojiro Hongo in the lead. The review describes its production, historical detail, and themes of compassion and equality.

Commentary

• Am I My Brother’s Keeper?, by Min Inadomi, page 4. Min Inadomi reflects on the difference between being one’s brother’s keeper and being a brother, arguing that true equality requires treating others as peers. He praises the Issei for striving to achieve equal status for the Nisei community.

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