Vol. 54, No. 5, February 2, 1962. 4 pages. View this issue
Idaho voters were expected to repeal a provision in the state constitution that barred naturalized citizens of Japanese or Mongolian descent from voting, and the front page carried an editorial urging them on. Also on page 1, President Kennedy appointed Ichiro Takagi of Washington, D.C., to the Board of Veterans Appeals, a step hailed as recognition of Nisei competence. Mike Masaoka’s Washington newsletter looked at federal housing agency reorganization, and a San Francisco fair housing ordinance was reported ahead of Mayor George Christopher’s signature.
Other pages include a look back at the Go For Broke soldiers of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, Sonoya Toya’s report of a state senator urging Nisei to tell their wartime evacuation stories to the Sansei, and a Chicago Issei Story Project aiming to raise $25,000. Chapter installations, Judy Kawamoto’s JACL-Sakata Memorial scholarship, and Norman Mineta’s appointment to the San Jose Human Relations Commission fill out this four-page issue.
What’s in this issue
National
- Idaho Voters Will Pass Measure to Repeal Anti-Oriental Voting Law, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Idaho voters are expected to repeal a state constitutional provision barring naturalized citizens of Japanese or Mongolian descent from voting. The measure would remove the anti-Oriental voting law from the state constitution.
- Kennedy Names Harry Takagi to Veterans’ Tribunal, by P.C. Staff, page 1. President Kennedy appointed Ichiro Takagi of Washington, D.C., as an associate member of the Board of Veterans Appeals. The appointment was hailed as another milestone recognizing the competence of Nisei.
- San Francisco Fair Housing Ordinance Passes Board of Supervisors, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A proposed fair housing ordinance in San Francisco was considered to eliminate discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, national origin, or ancestry. Mayor George Christopher said he would sign the measure.
- Canadian Immigration Policy Changes Encourage JCCA, by P.C. Staff, page 3. New Canadian immigration policy removing some color bars was adopted, seeking quality instead of quantity. The Japanese Canadian Citizens Association was encouraged but not committed.
Community
- Mrs. Paul Suzuki to Be Among Best Sung Leaders, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Local chapter events and installations were reported across the Pacific Southwest. The article covers community leadership transitions.
- Portland JACL Cabinet Expanded, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Dr. Mike Maki and Kin Tambara were added to the Portland JACL cabinet. The appointments were announced at a recent meeting.
- Mile-Hi Chapter to Install Officers, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Mile-Hi JACL chapter in Denver will install its officers at a dinner event. The installation was scheduled for the coming week.
- Frank Omatsu Installed as Chapter President, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Frank Omatsu was installed as president of the chapter at a Los Angeles event. The installation was part of the regional JACL program.
- Redwood City Tribune Lauds Local Japanese, by Henry Mori, page 2. The Redwood City Tribune published an editorial praising the contributions of local Japanese Americans to the community. Henry Mori wrote about the favorable recognition.
- Jerry Enamoto Predicts Good Size Delegation of Youth Headed for Seattle JACL Convention in July, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Jerry Enamoto predicts a large youth delegation will attend the Seattle JACL national convention in July. He discussed plans for youth participation.
- Chicago ‘Issei Story Project’ Group Aiming for $25,000 as High Goal, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Chicago Issei Story Project is aiming to raise $25,000 to document the history of the Issei. Fundraising efforts are underway in the community.
- Chumen Re-appointed to L.A. County Commission, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Chumen was re-appointed to the Los Angeles County Commission. The appointment recognizes his service.
- Norman Mineta Appointed to San Jose Human Relations Commission, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The San Jose City Council appointed Norman Mineta to fill a vacancy on the Human Relations Commission. The appointment was announced this week.
Commentary
- Washington National Newsletter, by Mike Masaoka, page 1. Mike Masaoka’s Washington newsletter discusses proposed federal housing agency reorganization and the Republican and Democratic positions on urban affairs. He comments on the political dynamics in Congress.
Military & Veterans
- Go For Broke Battalion Recalled on Anniversary, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The article recalls the sacrifice and loyalty of Japanese American soldiers in the 442nd Regimental Combat Team during World War II. It marks the anniversary of their service.
JACL
- Sakata Memorial JACL Scholarship Awards Presented, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Two silver pins were presented, and Judy Kawamoto was awarded a JACL-Sakata Memorial scholarship. The award recognized academic achievement.
- Healthy Picture of National JACL Described at Downtown L.A. Event, by P.C. Staff, page 3. National JACL leaders described the organization’s healthy condition at a downtown Los Angeles event. The report covered membership, programs, and future activities.
Incarceration & Redress
- State Senator Urges Nisei to Pass Wartime Evacuation Stories to Sansei, by Sonoya Toya, page 3. A state senator urged Nisei to share their wartime evacuation experiences with the Sansei generation. The article emphasizes preserving the history of the camps.
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