Vol. 46, No. 22, May 30, 1958. 8 pages. View this issue
A memorial service for the Nisei war dead at Arlington Cemetery led the issue. National JACL president Roy Nishikawa wrote about it in his President’s Corner, remembering the 442nd RCT and urging members to live by the principles for which those men died. Mike Masaoka’s Washington column added to the theme, describing floral wreaths placed at the Capitol rotunda for the Unknown Soldiers of World War II and Korea. Also on page one, Dr. Nishikawa was named keynote speaker for the biennial JACL convention in Salt Lake City in August.
Elsewhere in these eight pages: a Los Angeles shooting at a Little Tokyo dance and the charges that followed, Henry Mori’s column on Harry Momita’s appearance on This Is Your Life, and Elmer Ogawa on Alaska salmon and Japanese fishing fleets. Sports pages cover the San Francisco JACL Olympics and the Northern California Nisei golf championship, and several students were noted for scholarships and honors.
What’s in this issue
JACL
- Pray that sacrifices have not been in vain, by Dr. Roy Nishikawa, page 1. National JACL president Roy Nishikawa marks a memorial service at Arlington Cemetery honoring Nisei war dead. He urges members to live in ways that carry forward the principles for which these men died.
- Dr. Nishikawa to be keynote speaker at 15th biennial JACL convention, by P.C. Staff, page 1. National President Roy Nishikawa will deliver the keynote at the Opening Ceremonies of the Salt Lake City convention in August. Issei leader George Inagaki will also speak at the Issei Appreciation Banquet.
- JACL tribute to Unknown Soldiers of World War II and Korea, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. JACL representatives Jack Hirose and Hisako Sakata placed floral wreaths at the Capitol rotunda honoring the Unknown Soldiers. The JACL also took part in the Arlington burial ceremonies.
- Secretary to Cabinet Max Rabb retires, JACLers attend luncheon in his honor, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Eight JACL members attended a Washington luncheon honoring Maxwell Rabb on his retirement as Secretary to the Cabinet. Speakers paid tribute to his work in human rights and public administration.
Community
- Louis Yamashiro and Takeshi Masukawa charged in Los Angeles shooting, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Two Nisei youths face first-degree murder charges over an April 18 shooting at a Little Tokyo dance that killed Richard Sumii. Juvenile proceedings and community efforts to address youth delinquency are also covered.
- Three Sansei selected to California Boys State, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Three Sansei from Roosevelt High School in Los Angeles were chosen as delegates to California Boys State in Sacramento. The article names each of the students and their sponsoring posts.
- Nisei wins write-in election for California school post, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Calvin Kawanami won a school board seat in Encinal School District as a write-in candidate, likely the first Nisei to do so in California. Another Nisei, Marie Yamada, lost her re-election bid in Terminous District.
- Dayton lass graduates with 4.0 grade average, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Lillian Watanabe of Dayton, Ohio, maintained a 4.0 average throughout high school and earned a scholarship to Denison University. She plans to major in government.
- Calif. Farm Bureau scholarship won by San Mateo girl, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Brenda Takata of San Gregorio was one of five chosen from 60 applicants for the California Farm Bureau scholarship. She plans to study architecture at the University of California.
- Imperial Gardens and Fowler JACL policy on U.S.-Japan issues, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Fowler chapter reaffirmed JACL’s hands-off policy on international relations except where Japanese American welfare is directly concerned. The chapter also added the JACL insignia to its welcome post on Highway 99.
- Nisei Relays queen selected, by Fred Takata, page 4. Grace Sato of Venice-Culver was chosen queen of the 1958 Nisei Relays from a field of attractive contestants. The column also covers Harry Momita’s appearance on NBC’s This Is Your Life.
- Seattle Nisei women donate $1,000 for spastic aid, by Elmer Ogawa, page 6. The Mary C. Pentland Unit, composed mostly of Nisei women, presented a $1,000 check to the Seattle Spastic Aid Council. The money was raised through a spring festival and sukiyaki party.
Obituaries
- ‘Taki’ Domoto dies of internal hemorrhage, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Takayuki Domoto, a prominent Nisei importer of Japanese food products, died in San Francisco after being stricken at his desk. He was the eldest son of North American Mercantile Co. founder Takanoshin Domoto.
- Elmer Davis, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Masaoka pays tribute to news commentator Elmer Davis, who questioned the wartime evacuation and later promoted Nisei heroism as head of the Office of War Information. Davis died after a long illness at age 68.
Military & Veterans
- Nisei dispatches crate of strawberries to WW2 army friend Pres. Eisenhower, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Jimmy Kato, a former soldier who served under Eisenhower in Europe, sent a crate of strawberries to the president. Eisenhower’s office confirmed receipt with a note of thanks.
Arts & Entertainment
- Vagaries: Lack of U.S.-Japan themes, by Lorry S. Tojiri, page 3. Hollywood studios are struggling to find story material to capitalize on the popularity of Japanese American performers such as Miyoshi Umeki, Miiko Taka, and Sessue Hayakawa. The column surveys current projects and the limited market for Japanese-themed films.
Commentary
- Fish problem affects Nisei community, by Elmer Ogawa, page 6. Japanese fishing fleets threaten Alaska’s Bristol Bay salmon supply, creating tension in trans-Pacific relations. The column argues that conservation should take priority over short-term catch.
- Harry Momita’s This Is Your Life, by Henry Mori, page 7. Calipatria resident Harry Momita was surprised as the subject of NBC’s This Is Your Life. The column recounts his life story and his leadership in reactivating the Imperial County JACL.
- Washington news: California primaries, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Masaoka reviews the California congressional delegation ahead of the June 3 primary and notes members’ cooperation with JACL. He urges voters to support incumbents and considers the state’s role in the 1960 presidential race.
Sports
- Reedley wins San Francisco JACL Olympics, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Reedley JACL retained its team championship at the sixth annual San Francisco JACL Olympics with 98 points. West Los Angeles finished second with 82 points, and several records were set.
- Kageyama fires 80, 77 to win NC golf, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Angel Kageyama of Sacramento won the 11th annual Northern California Nisei golf championship by one stroke. Monterey took the team title with the lowest aggregate net score.
National
- Some 6,354 Japanese admitted for permanent residence in fiscal 1957, by JACL News Service, page 8. Immigration Service statistics show 6,354 Japanese were admitted for permanent residence in fiscal 1957, well above the annual quota. Most were nonquota immigrants, including wives and children of U.S. citizens.
- Girard’s Japanese wife lonesome, by P.C. Staff, page 8. A Japanese writer visited Candy Girard, wife of William Girard, in Ottawa, Illinois, and found her lonely in the small city. Girard, convicted in a fatal shooting, was unemployed after his discharge.
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