Two weeks before the 1956 JACL national convention in San Francisco

Vol. 43, No. 7, August 17, 1956. 8 pages. View this issue

The coming 14th Biennial JACL National Convention in San Francisco ran through the 8-page issue of August 17, 1956. Edward J. Ennis, general counsel to the American Civil Liberties Union, was announced as keynote speaker, and Maxwell Rabb was named to receive a JACL citation at the September 3 banquet. A silver piece by Harry Osaki was to be presented to President Eisenhower. Yasuo Abiko’s column urged a regular headquarters bulletin for members, and Mike Masaoka reported on the Democratic National Convention and on Japanese textile import quotas.

Other news included a Justice Department policy on restoring citizenship to Tule Lake renunciants, and congressional approval of nearly $187,000 in evacuation claims for 28 recipients. Bill Hosokawa recalled an earlier San Francisco convention, Harry K. Honda and Henry Mori wrote about Miss Nisei Week Phyllis Ono, and the back page carried Olympic swimming results.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

  • Something Besides a Membership Card, by Yasuo Abiko, page 1. The Northern California-Western Nevada District Council recommended a regular national headquarters bulletin to keep all members and non-members informed about JACL activities. The writer argues such a publication could bring headquarters closer to individual members and tap a pool of potential members.
  • Gardena’s Queen, by Harry K. Honda, page 2. Harry Honda praises Phyllis Ono as the best Nisei Week queen in recent years for her poise and command of English. He also notes the Gardena Valley JACL’s pride in sponsoring her.
  • From the Frying Pan: Pre-Convention Allure, by Bill Hosokawa, page 2. Bill Hosokawa recalls a past JACL convention in San Francisco and the youthful excitement it generated. He proposes an Issei memorial at the upcoming convention, linking it to a national immigration museum fund.
  • Art Direction by Imazu, by Bob Okazaki, page 3. Bob Okazaki profiles Eddie Imazu, MGM’s top art director, who designed the sets for Teahouse of the August Moon. The article traces Imazu’s career from childhood immigrant to top Hollywood set designer.
  • Masaoka—Continued from Front Page, by Mike M. Masaoka, page 5. Masaoka argues that domestic textile interests are seeking quota restrictions against Japanese imports. He warns that such policies would weaken American leadership and push Japan toward trade with Communist countries.
  • Washington Newsletter: Democratic Convention, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Mike Masaoka reports on the 1956 Democratic National Convention in Chicago and the fight between Harriman and Stevenson supporters. He highlights the civil rights platform debate and notable Nisei and JACL-connected figures present.

JACL

  • Ennis Keynote Speaker at 14th Biennial Confab, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Edward J. Ennis, general counsel to the American Civil Liberties Union, will deliver the keynote address at the opening of the 14th Biennial JACL National Convention on August 31 in San Francisco. Convention chairman Jerry Enomoto praised Ennis for his long record of helping Americans of Japanese ancestry.
  • Osaki-Designed Silver Creation to Be Given Eisenhower by JACL, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Pasadena silversmith Harry Osaki created a sterling silver piece that JACL will present to President Eisenhower at the national convention banquet on September 3. The inscription honors Eisenhower for leadership in human freedom and world peace.
  • JACL to Cite Convention Speaker Max Rabb, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Maxwell Rabb, secretary to the President’s Cabinet, will receive a JACL citation and address delegates at the September 3 recognitions banquet. The citation honors his leadership in advancing civil rights under the Eisenhower Administration.
  • Nishikawa, Terasaki Vie for National JACL Presidency, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Roy Nishikawa and Yutaka Tak Terasaki are the two nominees for JACL national president. The complete slate of other nominees was revealed by the Nominations Committee.
  • JACL Endowment Fund at $92,000, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The JACL national endowment fund trust stands at $92,000 on the eve of the 14th biennial convention. Recent gifts totaled $2,007.70, and interest income supports current organizational expenses.
  • Ennis Keynote Speaker Background, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Edward Ennis’s background as a civil liberties lawyer is detailed, including his wartime opposition to mass evacuation. He is also the Washington JACL counsel and will deliver the convention keynote.
  • Tickets for Bonanza-1000 Club Frolic at Convention Given Wide Distribution, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Tickets for the 1000 Club Whing Ding on September 1 have been distributed to district councils and chapters. The event theme is Bonanza, with district skits and a costume-free social atmosphere.
  • JACL Convention Notes What to Wear, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Convention attendees are advised on suitable San Francisco attire for the September convention, given the city’s mild, foggy climate. Suggested wardrobes cover mixer, banquet, outing, and ball events.

National

  • Congressman Cites Masaoka Letter on Restriction of Japan Imports, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Rep. George P. Miller entered a Mike Masaoka letter opposing quota restrictions on Japanese textiles into the Congressional Record. The letter argues such restrictions harm American foreign policy and push Japan toward Communist trade.
  • Democrat Platform Chairman Lauds Nisei Loyalty, by P.C. Staff, page 1. John McCormack praised Americans of Japanese ancestry for their loyalty after Mary Nakako Isa of Hawaii urged a statehood plank in the Democratic platform. McCormack promised a statehood plank would be included.
  • Army to Curtail Japanese Language at Presidio School, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The U.S. Army Language School in Monterey will reduce its Japanese language section because only four students will enter the next class. Staffing will shrink accordingly, as the school has shifted emphasis toward Chinese and Russian.
  • Citizenship Restoration Icacadnile Tule Lake Renunciants Established, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Justice Department announced a new policy allowing citizenship restoration for Tule Lake renunciants who demonstrate loyalty. The policy is expected to favorably affect almost half of pending cases.
  • Sakata to Foster Welfare of Young Farmers for Jaycees, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Robert Y. Sakata of Brighton was named national chairman of the U.S. Junior Chamber of Commerce agricultural committee. He will travel the 48 states promoting the welfare of young farmers.
  • N.Y. Times Features Story Updating Status of Japanese Americans, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The New York Times described Japanese Americans gaining equality, with housing as the main remaining barrier. The article credits the Nisei war record and JACL advocacy for the progress.

Incarceration & Redress

  • $187,000 for Evacuation Claims Payment Approved for 28 Recipients, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Congress approved payment of nearly $187,000 in evacuation claims awards to 28 recipients, and the Treasury will mail checks. The claims were adjudicated under the original JACL-sponsored Evacuation Claims Act.

Community

  • 500 Migrant Workers from Japan U.S.-Bound, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Japanese officials announced that 500 Japanese workers will soon go to California for seasonal farm work. Their conditions will resemble those of Mexican workers under the U.S.-Mexican migrant labor agreement.
  • Name Nisei to Chair Brighton Agri. Institute, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Seiji Horiuchi, a active Jaycee and state vice-president, was named general chairman of the Brighton Agricultural Institute for February 1957. The institute draws over 1,000 farmers, mostly non-Japanese ancestry.
  • Sumitomo Bank Growth Noted in Latest Report, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Sumitomo Bank (California) reported total deposits of $15,950,000 and loans of $9,180,000 for the first half of 1956. Bank officials said the growth shows its contribution to the economic development of the Japanese community.
  • Medlin Home Reflects Japanese War Bride’s Life in America, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Sachiko Medlin, the first Japanese war bride in Miami, has built a life there with her husband William. Her prized possession is her citizenship extension course lesson plans from the University of Florida.
  • Southland Nisei Urge Civil Rights Plank in Both Political Platforms, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Sixteen Southland civic and religious leaders, including Frank Chuman and Saburo Kido, urged both parties to adopt strong civil rights planks. The letter was sent to California delegates at the 1956 conventions.
  • Yoshino Joins Gov’t Agency as Liaison Man, by P.C. Staff, page 3. John Y. Yoshino was appointed to the professional staff of the President’s Committee on Government Contracts. He will serve as liaison to state and local governments, private organizations, and industry.
  • Coachella Valley Students Win High School Awards, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Lillian Mizutani won a U.C. Alumni scholarship at Coachella Valley Union High School commencement. Other Nisei graduates also received awards.
  • Selma Chapter Honors New Members at Barbecue, by Minoru Okubo, page 5. About 65 Selma JACL members attended a steak barbecue honoring 12 new members at Blakeley’s pool in Fresno. The chapter’s annual event welcomed the new members into the organization.
  • Miss Nisei Week of 1956 Selected, by Henry Mori, page 7. Phyllis Ono, a 20-year-old UCLA student sponsored by the Gardena Valley JACL, was crowned Miss Nisei Week 1956. The coronation kicked off the 16th annual festival in Los Angeles.
  • Utah Pet Owners Warned Against Rabies Outbreak, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Virologist Taira Fukushima warned Utah pet owners to vaccinate dogs and cats against rabies after bats were found carrying the disease. A local youth had been bitten by a bat.
  • Denver Mother Wins in Tri-State Art Show, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Noda, a Tokyo School of Fine Arts graduate, won the grand purchase prize for her painting at the second annual Tri-State Art Exhibit in Denver. Her children are Dr. Albert Noda and Mrs. Mahito Uha.

Military & Veterans

  • Democrat-Platform, by P.C. Staff, page 2. John McCormack praised the combat record of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and Nisei troops in the Pacific. He concluded by assuring Hawaii’s delegation that a statehood plank would be in the platform.
  • Olympic Swim Squad for ’56 Melbourne Olympics, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Ford Konno, Yoshi Oyakawa, Richard Tanabe, and George Onekea earned spots on the 1956 Melbourne Olympics swimming team. Oyakawa set a new Games mark in the 100-meter backstroke preliminary.

Sports

  • Denver Sansei Compete in Rocky Mountain Swimfest, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Norman Yabe helped the Mile-Hi Swimming Association win the team championship at the Rocky Mountain Jr. AAU meet. He also set a record in the 200-meter breaststroke.
  • Efforts Merit Trip to Canada Olympic Tryouts, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Margaret Iwasaki, a 14-year-old Nisei swimmer from Vancouver, set records at the British Columbia open championships. She qualified for the Canadian Olympic trials in Toronto.
  • Nisei Gridders Prep for All-Star Kezar Classic, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Herb Yamasaki and Dick Takaki are among 25 West Bay gridders training for the East-West Bay game at Kezar on August 24. The game is a benefit sponsored by the Oakland and San Francisco 20-30 Clubs.

Obituaries

  • Goro Murata, Former L.A. Newsman, Dies, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Goro Murata, a Los Angeles-born Nisei who became a newspaperman in Japan, died of cancer at age 49. He had worked for the Japan Times and Nippon Times and was a charter member of the Los Angeles JACL.

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.

More from Issue archive