The Sacramento convention: JACL’s 16th Biennial and its new leaders

Vol. 51, No. 2, July 8, 1960. 8 pages. View this issue

The 16th Biennial convention in Sacramento filled most of this eight-page issue. Delegates adopted a $98,450 budget, a $1 dues increase and a new chapter quota formula. Frank Chuman was elected national president. Harry Honda reported on the convention, and Mike Masaoka and Saburo Kido added their own views on the budget, the Issei Story and the years ahead. Bill Matsumoto’s banquet message urged members to keep their JACL group insurance in force.

Other pages describe the decision to send the Pacific Citizen to every JACL household starting in 1961, a tribute to Dr. Thomas T. Yatabe, and the golf tournament and fashion show. Bill Hosokawa and Tamotsu Murayama wrote about the Tokyo protests over the security treaty. A Cleveland columnist corrected his account of mainland Nisei in the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and chapter news ran from Monterey to Long Beach.

What’s in this issue

JACL

• A Sincere Call for Insurance: Bill Matsumoto’s Convention Message, by P.C. Staff, page 1. At the 16th Biennial convention, Bill Matsumoto urged members to keep their JACL group insurance in force through continued premium payments. He argued the insurance has protected Japanese American families through two wars and many crises.
• Convention Proves to Be ‘Ruggedest’, by Harry Honda, page 1. Delegates at the Sacramento biennial convention adopted a $98,450 budget, a $1 dues increase, and a new chapter quota formula. Frank Chuman was elected national president and pledged to continue the membership push.
• That Was No ‘Sweet 16’ Convention; PC with Membership from 1961 Set, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Sacramento convention approved sending the Pacific Citizen to every JACL household starting in 1961, funded by the new budget. Committee appointments and the Issei Story prospectus were also approved.
• Pointing Southwestward, by Fred Takota, page 5. Takota recaps highlights of the Sacramento convention, including the 1000 Club Whing Ding and the cool weather. He thanks the convention committee and hosts and reports on post-convention visits to a Los Angeles show.
• Convention Pays Tribute to Dr. Thomas T. Yatabe, by P.C. Staff, page 5. At the Recognitions Luncheon, delegates honored Dr. Thomas T. Yatabe, JACL’s first national president, for 46 years of public service. Gifts including a silver service and a JACL scroll were presented to him and Mrs. Yatabe.
• Higashino Shoots 155 for Confab Golf Cup, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Tak Higashino of Sacramento won the National JACL Convention golf tournament with a 155 score. Sacramento chapter members captured most of the awards.
• Washington Newsletter: National Convention Reflections, by Mike Masaoka, page 7. Masaoka reviews the Sacramento convention’s budget restructuring, which replaced the district council assessment system with a modified individual membership formula. He also notes decisions on the Issei Story, PC distribution, and international relations.
• Capitol Rush Prevents Rep. Inouye’s Trip to Sac’to Confab to Accept ‘Biennium’ Award, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Congressman Daniel K. Inouye could not attend the convention banquet, speaking instead by telephone. Governor Edmund G. Brown praised JACL and urged Japanese Americans to build stronger bridges between America and Japan.

Commentary

• Peace Time JACL, by C.U., page 2. The author reflects that postwar JACL members, having matured through wartime camp years, now face the less glamorous work of peacetime planning. The writer argues that handling everyday problems is the true test of maturity.
• From the Flying Pan, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Hosokawa describes the disciplined but volatile student demonstrations in Tokyo against the Kishi government and the security pact. He argues the protests were planned by a small minority and that Japan’s democracy must be earned and defended by its citizens.

National

• Tokyo Topics, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 2. The author reports on anti-security treaty riots in Tokyo that forced cancellation of President Eisenhower’s visit. He notes that the Socialists opposed the security pact and that the treaty was ratified by both governments.
• Ambassador Matsudaira Calls for International Cooperation in Tribute to Issei Pioneers, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Japanese UN Ambassador Koto Matsudaira addressed the JACL pioneer banquet in Sacramento, paying tribute to Issei and Nisei. He called for international cooperation among nations for peace.

Military & Veterans

• Cleveland Writer Gets Facts Straight on Mainland Nisei Enlistments in 442nd RCT, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Plain Dealer columnist Wes Lawrence apologized for earlier claims that mainland Nisei did not enlist in large numbers. Joe Kadowaki supplied War Department figures showing more than half of the 442nd’s total came from the mainland.
• Convention Potpourri, by Saburo Kido, page 4. Downtown L.A. delegate Saburo Kido offers personal observations on the convention’s budget debates, the Planning Commission report, and the future of JACL leadership. He argues that membership dues policy and international relations decisions will shape the next biennium.

Community

• Jerry Enomoto Promoted to Associate Superintendent at Deuel Vocational Institution, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Jerry Enomoto, newly elected JACL national board secretary, was appointed associate superintendent at the Deuel Vocational Institution. He will head the new reception-guidance center.
• Placer County JACLer Voted Legion Post Head, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Tadashi Yego was installed as commander of John A. Stacker Post 775 of the American Legion in Loomis. He is the son of the late Tom Yego, a founder of the JACL.
• Mile-Hi JACL Holds Dance to Honor Local Graduates, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Mile-Hi JACL honored Nisei graduates from Denver high schools and colleges at a community dance. Seven other groups joined in the festivities.
• Monterey Peninsula Chapter Concludes Youth Baseball Clinic, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Monterey Peninsula JACL completed a baseball clinic for about 30 boys aged 7 to 13 that ran from early April. Volunteers led by chairman Haruo Esaki staffed the program, which ended with a game win for the JACL Jr. Leaguers.
• Long Beach Chapter’s Beachcomber BBQ Set for Royal Palms Grove, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Long Beach-Harbor District JACL will hold its family barbecue on July 17 at Royal Palms Grove. Tickets are $2.50 for adults and $1 for children aged 6 to 12.
• Oriental Honeymoon Fashion Show Showstopper at Convention, by Dolly Dixon, page 6. The Oriental Honeymoon fashion show, chaired by Toshi Tambara, was the highlight of the convention, featuring a wedding and honeymoon travel theme with over fifty outfits. Linda Yatabe, the convention queen, served as bride.
• New All-Time High in Membership Claimed, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The San Francisco JACL reported an all-time high of 1,222 members, breaking the previous record of 1,216 set by Southwest Los Angeles in 1956. Membership chairman Yo Hironaka was credited for the chapter’s success.
• CCDC Pushes Tidal Wave Fund Campaign, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The Central California JACL District Council and local Nisei veterans posts solicited contributions for the JACL Hawaii Tidal Wave Fund. A check will be presented to Congressman Inouye at a Fresno testimonial dinner.

Thank you for exploring the Pacific Citizen archive. The title, introduction and contents on this page were written by an AI model from scans of the printed issue, so they may contain mistakes. If you spot one, we would be grateful if you let us know.