Vol. 57, No. 6, August 9, 1963. 4 pages. View this issue
Civil rights ran through this four-page issue. JACL urged a House subcommittee to press for meaningful legislation as hearings on the Kennedy program ended and drafting began, and the Eastern and Midwestern district councils prepared to take up the subject at their Cleveland convention. Mike Masaoka and the Masaoka-Ishikawa Consultants weighed the commerce clause against the Fourteenth Amendment for public accommodations. Bill Hosokawa looked at how the Negro civil rights drive affected other minorities, and Jerry Enomoto urged Nisei to do some soul searching.
Also in this issue: Congressman George P. Miller was honored at an Oakland banquet, and Governor Edmund Brown issued an anti-discrimination order for California state government. Rep. Spark Matsunaga introduced a bill to end the national origins quota system. Inside are notes on a planned 442nd anniversary event in Chicago, a Seafair parade float, and Kumeo Yoshinari’s preview of the Cleveland convention.
What’s in this issue
National
- Civil Rights Big Topic for EDC-MDC Parley, page 1. JACL’s Eastern and Midwestern district councils will discuss civil rights at their upcoming convention in Cleveland. The convention program and registration fees are also outlined.
- Kennedy’s Civil Rights Program Passes First Step Toward Enactment, page 1. The House Judiciary Subcommittee on Civil Rights concluded months of hearings and began drafting the bill. JACL urged the subcommittee to press for meaningful legislation covering voting rights, employment, housing, public accommodations, and schools.
- Governor Brown Implements Comprehensive Policy of Non-Discrimination, page 1. California Governor Edmund Brown issued an executive order barring discrimination in all operations of state government and by state licensees. The code covers employment, services, contracts, housing, schools, and law enforcement.
- Matsunaga Pushes Immigration Bill, page 2. Rep. Spark Matsunaga introduced an administration bill to abolish the national origins quota system within five years. He also proposed waiving visa requirements for Japanese tourists on short visits.
- Miller Tells How Democracy Corrects Even Its Abuses, page 2. A San Leandro editorial praised Congressman Miller’s House speech commemorating the June 2 JACL services at Arlington National Cemetery. It argued that American democracy corrects its mistakes, unlike dictatorships.
Community
- Miller Honored by JACL for Quarter Century of Public Service, page 1. Congressman George P. Miller was honored at a Northern California-Western Nevada JACL banquet in Oakland for his support of Japanese Americans. He received a hand-illuminated scroll citing his distinguished career.
- Japanese Float Garners Top Two Seafair Trophies, by Elmer Ogawa, page 1. The Seattle Japanese Community float won King Neptune’s trophy and the Allied Florists trophy in the Seafair Grand Parade. The float’s Mikado theme and 20,000 blossoms drew admiration from spectators and judges.
- JACL Chapters Urged to Program Meetings to Make Nisei Aware of Civil Rights Issue, page 2. The NC-WNDC district council discussed civil rights and urged chapters to make members aware of local problems. Panelists examined the Nisei role in the current struggle for Negro civil rights.
- Ogawa Heads City Park Commissioners, page 2. Frank H. Ogawa, a JACL member and nurseryman, was elected chairman of the Oakland Park Commission. He has served as commissioner since 1961.
- Nisei Woman Minister to Assist Nishi Hongwanji, page 2. Rev. Kiyota Okabayashi, formerly Flora Shiohama, became the first Nisei woman minister assigned to Nishi Hongwanji in Los Angeles. She was ordained in 1958 in Kyoto after studying at USC.
- JACL Chapters Urged to Program Meetings, page 3. Coverage of the NC-WNDC district council meeting focusing on civil rights programming. Chapters were urged to make members more aware of local discrimination issues.
- Anti-Bias Code Gets Gov. Brown’s Backing, page 3. Governor Brown’s executive order establishes a Code of Fair Practices covering state agencies and contractors. Attorney General Stanley Mosk will head a statewide civil rights task force to enforce it.
- Hagiwara Resigns Olivet Center Post, page 3. Abe Hagiwara resigned as Director of Services at Olivet Community Center in Chicago to focus on his bowling alley and real estate interests. He remains connected with Olivet in a limited capacity.
- Sumitomo Bank Dedicates Gardena Office, page 4. Sumitomo Bank of California opened a new Gardena branch with a ceremony attended by the Japanese Consul General and bank officials. The bank plans further Southern California expansion over the next decade.
- Merit S&L Tops $5 Million in Assets After 8 Months, page 4. Merit Savings and Loan surpassed $5 million in assets as of July 31, with $4.2 million from savings deposits. The growth signals rising public acceptance of the institution.
- Board Column: Treating Olivet, by Kumeo Yoshinari, page 4. National JACL Treasurer Kumeo Yoshinari previews the 1963 Joint JACL Convention in Cleveland and discusses the national membership and budget picture. He notes membership stands at 97.4 percent of last year but dollar receipts lag behind quota.
Commentary
- Civil Rights Accommodation Controversy, by Masaoka-Ishikawa Consultants, page 2. The writers analyze constitutional grounds, including the commerce clause and Fourteenth Amendment, for federal public accommodations legislation. They conclude the Fourteenth Amendment provides the strongest basis for equality in public accommodations.
- Nisei Advises Nisei to Do Soul Searching, by Jerry Enomoto, page 2. A letter writer responds to Dr. Uyeda and Imazeki, urging Nisei to reflect on their own prejudices in the civil rights struggle. The writer argues Nisei have been among the well-meaning but passive white moderates.
- Pearl Harbor Investigation Forgotten in Their Rush?, page 2. A letter writer recalls testimony before a House subcommittee showing no acts of sabotage by Hawaiian Japanese Americans during the war. The writer argues this record should inform current debates about Hawaii statehood.
- In Appreciation, page 2. JACL recognized Congressman George Miller for his long record of helpfulness to Japanese Americans. The Pacific Citizen reprinted the tribute in the Congressional Record.
- Washington Newsletter: Accommodation Controversy, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Masaoka reports on the Administration’s civil rights package and the constitutional debate over public accommodations. He describes the division along party lines regarding the commerce clause and Fourteenth Amendment.
- From the Frying Pan, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Hosokawa examines how the Negro civil rights drive affects other minorities, quoting leaders who see both benefits and tensions. He also notes Nisei roles on human rights commissions in Denver and Seattle.
Incarceration & Redress
- JACL Archives Removed by Order of Fire Dept., page 3. National JACL director Masao Satow moved old files from the former headquarters after a Fire Department order cleared the basement. The files were part of JACL archives.
Military & Veterans
- Merrill’s Marauders, page 3. The article describes Nisei military service and honors for veterans in Merrill’s Marauders. It recounts the contributions of Japanese American soldiers during World War II.
- 442nd 20th Anniversary Fete in Chicago Planned, page 3. Nisei veterans in Chicago formed a committee to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the 442nd RCT activation. Festivities with civic organizations are planned for the fall.
Obituaries
- Rep. Mike Masaoka Honored, page 4. Coverage of tributes paid during the convention and related civic events. The article recognizes contributions of Japanese American leaders.
Sports
- Shimada Takes Low Gross Honors in Bay Area Nishi Golf Tourney, page 4. Frank Shimada of the Garden City Club took low gross honors at the third Bay Area Nishi Golf Association tournament. The event drew 190 entries from 13 clubs at the Pasatiempo course.
Arts & Entertainment
- Rickshaw Man Opens at Nippon Gekijo, page 4. The film Rickshaw Man starring Toshiro Mifune and Hideko Takamine opens at Nippon Gekijo as a Nisei Week special. It tells the story of a rickshaw man whose devotion to a young boy and widow forms the heart of the drama.
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