Vol. 57, No. 20, November 15, 1963. 4 pages. View this issue
Civil rights was a main thread of this four-page issue. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye said he would vote to end any filibuster against the administration’s civil rights legislation, and he also spoke on the radical right at the Pacific Northwest District Council convention, where Dr. John Kanda was elected chairman. Saburo Kido wrote on the JACL’s earlier policy on Tomoya Kawakita as a Nisei pastor sought a presidential pardon. Mike Masaoka’s column covered a Delaware Supreme Court ruling on service in restaurants.
Other items include the Pacific Southwest District Council’s annual Chapter Clinic in Culver City, a call from the Japanese American Research Project at UCLA to preserve family and business documents, and the story of Yasuo Obi, a Japanese soldier at Guadalcanal, who was hosted by North Dakota’s 164th Infantry. Columns from Dr. H. James Takao and National President Pat Okura appear on page 3.
What’s in this issue
Community
- Venice-Culver JACL Hosting One-Day Chapter Clinic at Veterans Memorial, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Pacific Southwest District Council’s Fifth Annual Chapter Clinic will be held Sunday in Culver City, hosted by the Venice-Culver JACL. The clinic was moved to November to help newly elected chapter officers prepare before their January terms begin.
- PNWDC Elects Dr. John Kanda as Chairman, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Dr. John Kanda of Puyallup Valley JACL was elected chairman of the Pacific Northwest District Council for the coming biennium. Other officers were installed at the convention banquet, where Sen. Inouye delivered the keynote address.
- West L.A. JACL Re-elects Mrs. Kanegai President, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Mrs. George Kanegai was re-elected president of the West Los Angeles JACL and will be installed with her cabinet at a dinner dance. National Director Mas Satow will conduct the installation.
- History Project Repeats Need for All Documentary Matter, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Dr. Robert A. Wilson of the Japanese American Research Project at UCLA is asking Issei and Nisei to locate and preserve personal, organizational, and business documents. The project aims to build a permanent collection of Japanese American materials at the UCLA research library.
- Redevelopment Plans Move Stockton Buddhist Church, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Stockton Buddhist Church at 148 W. Washington St. will be relocated under the city’s redevelopment plan. The church board is studying the most effective methods to proceed.
- Kuzuhara Pointed Out Gardena JACL and Other Community News, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Several chapters and community groups reported anniversaries, celebrations, and youth activities during the period. Coverage includes the Florin Japanese Methodist Church’s 50th anniversary and the Maryknoll school groundbreaking in Los Angeles.
- Gardena Valley JACL Newsletter Proposal Revived, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Orange County JACL revived a proposal to divide the chapter into northern and southern units to better serve members. The idea is being discussed in light of rapid growth of the Nisei population in the county.
- Fowler JACL Holiday Festival and Parade Coverage, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Fowler JACL participated in local community festivities, including a parade with Girl Scout and youth entries. Several Nisei families and organizations took part in the event.
National
- Dr. Judd Agrees to Consider Republican Presidential Nomination, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Former Congressman Dr. Walter Judd said he has consented to be considered for the 1964 Republican presidential nomination, though he is not actively seeking it. He noted Minnesota party leaders have supported him for the nomination.
- Sen. Inouye Says He Would Vote Down Filibuster on Civil Rights, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye stated he will support the administration’s civil rights legislation and vote to end any filibuster against it. He based his position on the nation’s founding commitment to equal opportunity regardless of race or creed.
- PNWDC Convention Hears Inouye Analyze Radical Right of U.S., by P.C. Staff, page 1. At the Pacific Northwest District Council convention, Sen. Daniel K. Inouye criticized the American radical right for rejecting reason in favor of emotion. He outlined three tenets of the movement and argued its philosophy is reactive rather than original.
- Canadian Nisei, Like Counterpart in U.S., Unlikely to Complain of Discrimination, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A Toronto discussion among minority groups found that Japanese Canadians rarely file discrimination complaints with the Ontario Human Rights Commission. George Imai explained that Nisei prefer to quietly seek opportunities elsewhere rather than complain.
- Delaware Decision, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. A Delaware Supreme Court ruling held that a restaurant owner may refuse service on racial grounds but cannot have trespassers prosecuted with state help. The decision may affect pending congressional civil rights legislation on public accommodations.
Incarceration & Redress
- JACL Policy on Kawakita Recalled as Nisei Pastor Seeks Presidential Pardon, by Saburo Kido, page 1. Saburo Kido argues that Tomoya Kawakita, who was convicted of treason for abusing American prisoners of war, should be pardoned by President Kennedy after serving his sentence. The piece also reports on a Nisei pastor’s campaign for the pardon and the JACL’s earlier position on Kawakita’s case.
- Portland Attorney Honored by JACL for Fight Against Oregon Alien Land Law, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Attorneys Verne Dusenbery and Alan Hart received a JACL Scroll of Appreciation for their successful challenge to the Oregon alien land law. The Oregon Supreme Court declared the law unconstitutional in 1949, the first state high court to do so.
Commentary
- Editor’s Desk: Senator Inouye vs. Cloture, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The editorial praises Sen. Inouye’s stated willingness to vote against a filibuster on civil rights legislation. It also explains the PC’s policy of adding disclaimers to controversial reprinted articles to avoid implying JACL endorsement.
- Its Like Religion, by Dr. H. James Takao, page 3. Dr. James Takao reflects on his years of JACL service, from attending his first district council meeting to eventually serving as district chairman. He urges members to take on responsibility so the organization continues beyond its current generation.
JACL
- Membership Chairman, by Dr. David Miura, page 2. Dr. David Miura asks chapters to appoint a 1964 membership chairman promptly so membership campaign materials can be sent. He notes new JACL membership cards are ready.
- Early Elections Asked, by Pat Okura, page 3. National President Pat Okura encourages chapters to hold officer elections before year’s end so new officers can begin in January. He acknowledges local conditions may prevent this in some cases.
Military & Veterans
- Last Japanese Soldier to Leave Guadalcanal Alive Hosted by North Dakota’s 164th Infantry, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Yasuo Obi, a former sub-lieutenant in Japan’s 124th Infantry Regiment, was invited to the United States by the 164th Infantry Association of North Dakota. He was honored in a week-long program and recounted his evacuation from Guadalcanal.
Obituaries
- Yuji Ito, 66, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Yuji Ito, a Tokyo-trained musician and longtime property and scenery construction director for Radio City Music Hall, died November 1 in New York. He is survived by two sons and two brothers.
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