Hawaii statehood bills and Issei naturalization, February 1955

Vol. 40, No. 6, February 11, 1955. 12 pages. View this issue

Hawaii statehood led the news on February 11, 1955. Bills had been referred to the Interior and Insular Affairs Committees of the House and Senate, and S. 49 would admit both Hawaii and Alaska. JACL was supporting the combined bills, and Mike Masaoka reported on the Judiciary subcommittees and January’s Congressional activity. Civil rights bills were introduced in the 84th Congress, and JACL protested the reorganization of the Immigration and Naturalization Service.

The 12 pages also followed Issei naturalization, with testimonial dinners in Salt Lake, Arizona, Coachella Valley and Orange County, plus chapter installations across the country. Harry K. Honda wrote on a trip to Yosemite, Bill Hosokawa on a veterans’ reunion in Denver, and Larry Tajiri on how the draft treated Nisei in World War II. Sports pages covered the National JACL bowling tournament.

What’s in this issue

National

• House, Senate Committees Get Hawaii Statehood Measures, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Statehood bills for Hawaii introduced in Congress have been referred to the Interior and Insular Affairs Committees of both chambers. The major Senate bill S. 49 would admit both Hawaii and Alaska, and JACL is actively supporting the combined bills.
• Reorganization of I&N Service Strongly Protested by JACL, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL wrote to Rep. Francis Walter protesting the reorganization of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, which reduced service and eliminated district offices in Honolulu, Los Angeles, Seattle, and San Francisco. Masaoka argued the changes add expense and delay for Japanese aliens and urged restoration of the former system.
• Introduce Civil Rights Legislation in 84th Congress, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Civil rights bills were introduced in both the Senate and House of the 84th Congress, covering equal employment, a civil rights commission, anti-lynching, and the poll tax. Masaoka stated JACL will cooperate with efforts to increase individual dignity and opportunity for all Americans.
• Hawaiian Statehood Bills, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Masaoka and the JACL support combined Hawaii-Alaska statehood bills in both chambers. Sen. Murray’s S. 49 has 25 co-sponsors and hearings are set to begin February 21.
• House Judiciary Subcommittees Set, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Masaoka reports on the organization of House and Senate Judiciary committees, noting that Subcommittee No. 1 handles immigration and naturalization under Rep. Walter. He explains how subcommittee membership influences legislation of interest to JACL.
• U.S. Construction of Industrial Atomic Plant in Hiroshima Proposed, by P.C. Staff, page 9. Rep. Sidney Yates introduced a joint resolution proposing an American-built industrial atomic power plant in Hiroshima to emphasize peaceful uses of atomic energy. Masaoka noted Hiroshima’s mayor approved the project and said it could be a significant act of Congress.

Incarceration & Redress

• Processing of Issei Petitions Nearly Current, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Naturalization processing is nearly current, with Issei expecting oral examinations within four to five weeks of filing. Special naturalization classes have resumed at Los Angeles schools organized by JACL chapters.
• Long Voyage Home, by Sachi Kawaoka, page 9. Sachi Kawaoka recounts escorting five Japanese orphans of mixed Japanese and American parentage to the United States under the Refugee Relief Act. She describes their journey and hopes more adoptions will follow.

Community

• San Francisco JACL Aims for 1,000 Members in 1955, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The San Francisco JACL launched a membership drive with seven teams aiming for 1,000 members, against a 1954 roll of 631. A point system rewards renewals and new 1000 Club members.
• Nisei Family Nearly Dies from Asphyxiation, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A San Mateo Nisei family of five nearly died from gas heater fumes in their window-locked home last week. Firemen revived all family members with an inhalator after they were found overcome.
• Nisei VFW Posts to Meet Feb. 19-22 in San Francisco, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Nisei VFW posts from California, Seattle, Salt Lake City and Hawaii will convene for the fifth annual national convention in San Francisco. The program includes sessions for the Women’s Auxiliary and a banquet at the Hotel Whitcomb.
• Pioneer Japanese Wis. Family Now All-American as Wife Naturalized, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Mrs. Henry Toki became naturalized in a Madison, Wisconsin ceremony, completing citizenship for the family of pioneer truck farmers. Their son Richard is a World War II Purple Heart veteran.
• San Francisco to Host Two Buddhist Confabs, by P.C. Staff, page 4. San Francisco will host the 13th annual Western Young Buddhist League conference March 25-27 and the Western Young Adult Buddhist League convention February 20. Organizers expect 750 attendees.
• Detroit JACL Installation Highlighted by Governor’s Visit, by Kay Miyaya, page 4. Michigan Governor G. Mennen Williams and Mrs. Williams visited the Detroit JACL installation ceremony, where Sadao Kimoto was installed as president. John Laub of the Detroit Commission on Community Relations was the guest speaker.
• Turlock Hosts 200 Delegates at NC-WNDC Quarterly Session, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Two hundred delegates met in Turlock for the first quarterly session of the Northern California-Western Nevada District Council. The council endorsed a national committee for settling evacuation claims and supported two California legislative measures.
• Satow Speaks at Salinas Valley Banquet; Tanda Named President, by Harry Shirachi, page 4. National JACL Director Mas Satow addressed the Salinas Valley JACL installation dinner, honoring newly naturalized Issei. James Tanda was installed as 1955 chapter president.
• Tanko Bushi Number Feature at Chicago Social, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Chicago JACL will hold a Sweetheart Night party featuring the Tanko Bushi novelty dance introduced at the Los Angeles national convention. Helen Mori is in charge of arrangements.
• Pocatello Chapter Elects Yamauchi, by Novo Kato, page 4. William Yamauchi was installed as 1955 president of the Pocatello JACL at a dinner-dance. The chapter set a membership goal of 150 and began organizing a women’s auxiliary.
• San Diego Chapter to Sponsor Booth at Pacific Flower Exhibition, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The San Diego JACL installed its 1955 officers and plans a bonsai-ikebana booth at the Pacific Flower Exhibition in Balboa Park. The chapter also set a goal of 200 members and plans a monthly bulletin.
• Gov. McFarland Congratulates New Citizens at Arizona Fete, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Former Senate Majority Leader Ernest McFarland addressed some 80 newly naturalized Japanese citizens at an Arizona JACL testimonial dinner. New cabinet officers were installed at the event.
• Salt Lake JACL Honors Newly Naturalized Issei at Recognition Dinner, by Anna Imai, page 6. The Salt Lake chapter held a recognition dinner honoring 23 Issei who recently became American citizens. Attorney Claude Barnes praised the Japanese community of Utah in his remarks.
• Los Angeles JACL Coordinating Council Names Yokozeki Chairman, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Attorney David Yokozeki was elected chairman of the seven-chapter Los Angeles JACL Coordinating Council. The council will sponsor the annual Nisei Relays this summer.
• Mt. Olympus JACL Treats Issei to Parents Appreciation Night, by Aiko Nishida, page 7. The Mt. Olympus JACL hosted a Parents Appreciation Night for about 200 members and guests, conducted entirely in Japanese. Awards honored the oldest Issei and longest-married couples.
• Orange County Chapter Installs Officers Before Large Audience, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The Orange County JACL installed its 1955 officers at a banquet attended by nearly 200 people, including 34 newly naturalized Issei. Saburo Kido warned the community against complacency about its acceptance.
• Gilroy Bowlers Feted at Annual Chapter Dinner, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Gilroy JACL bowling league champions received trophies at the annual chapter dinner. Awards recognized high series and team winners.
• Parlier CL Plans 20th Anniversary Celebration Feb. 26, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Parlier JACL, organized in 1935 with 32 charter members, will celebrate its 20th anniversary with a banquet. The chapter concluded its 1955 membership drive with 149 members.
• Coachella Valley JACL Holds Issei Testimonial, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Coachella Valley JACL honored 32 Issei at a testimonial dinner in Indio, presenting them with copies of the JACL naturalization translation. Two local Issei were congratulated on their recent naturalization.
• Los Angeles Newsletter: School Problems, by Henry Mori, page 11. Superintendent Claude Reeves told a dinner meeting that Los Angeles schools need $133 million in new bonds to cope with population growth and half-day sessions for 30,000 elementary children. A two-thirds vote will be required in the April election.

Commentary

• Rep. Lane Seeks Alien Report Be Changed to Once, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A House bill by Rep. Thomas Lane would eliminate the annual January address reporting requirement for aliens in the United States. Permanent residents would still register initially and report address changes within ten days.
• Change of Scenery, by By Harry K. Honda, page 2. Editor Harry Honda describes a refreshing weekend trip to snow-covered Yosemite and notes upcoming regional council sessions. He also comments on plans for 12-page editions of the Pacific Citizen depending on advertising.
• U.S.-Canada Nisei, by H.M., page 2. The editorial observes that Canada looks to the United States as an older brother, while noting the need for more communication between Japanese Americans and Japanese Canadians. It compares membership figures of the JACL and the Canadian organization.
• Jan. Resume, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Masaoka summarizes Congressional activity in January 1955, noting that 4,686 bills were introduced. He explains why members introduce many bills that never become law.
• Ma lenkov Ouster, by P.C. Staff, page 12. The editorial examines the ouster of Georgi Malenkov and the naming of Nikolai Bulganin as Soviet premier. It warns that Soviet foreign policy remains aggressive and that peaceful coexistence would require Soviet terms.
• From the Frying Pan, by Bill Hosokawa, page 12. Bill Hosokawa recounts being invited to a Second Division Association reunion in Denver and joining as a veteran for dues. He describes the veterans’ reminiscences and their debates over old-time baseball players.

Arts & Entertainment

• Alameda Nisei Pens Nippon Folk Stories, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Yoshiko Uchida’s new children’s collection of Japanese folk stories, The Magic Listening Cap, is to be published by Harcourt, Brace and Co. The Alameda-born Nisei retold tales drawn from Japanese folk tradition after a year in Japan on a Ford Foundation grant.

Military & Veterans

• War Bride Naturalized, Can Join Chinese American Husband in Germany, by P.C. Staff, page 4. June Mochizuki Louis was naturalized in Cleveland so she can join her husband, Army M/Sgt. Samuel Louis, in Germany with their daughter. Louis is a Chinese American veteran of World War II and the Korean War.
• U.S. Drafts Nisei, by Larry Tajiri, page 12. Tajiri traces how the Selective Service System handled Japanese American draft classifications during World War II, from the post-Pearl Harbor 4-C reclassification to eventual fair induction. He credits JACL advocacy and Nisei combat records with changing policy.

Sports

• National JACL Keg Tournament Regarded in Class by Itself, by Masao W. Satow, page 10. National JACL Director Mas Satow reviews the history of the National JACL Bowling Tournament, which began in Salt Lake City in 1947. He traces its growth into a major Nisei sporting event leading up to the ninth annual tournament in Long Beach.
• Sacramento to Host Keglers This Week, by P.C. Staff, page 10. Up to 48 squads are expected at the Sacramento JACL handicap bowling tournament. Several teams will also travel to the National JACL classic in Long Beach.
• Japan Wrestlers Compete in Feb. 18 AAU Event, by P.C. Staff, page 10. Six Japanese wrestling champions will compete for National AAU titles in the western states championships at Venice High School. Over 200 entries are expected.

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