Dual citizenship deadline and a loss for Nisei friends

Vol. 41, No. 18, October 28, 1955. 8 pages. View this issue

A State Department warning ran at the top of the issue: Nisei dual citizens living in Japan could lose U.S. citizenship under Section 350 of the Immigration and Nationality Act once it became operative on Dec. 24, 1955. Helen Mineta’s article listed the exemptions and the steps to follow, and a continuation on page 2 quoted Mike Masaoka urging families to consult American consulates. The front page also reported the sudden death of Dr. Monroe E. Deutsch, vice president and provost emeritus of the University of California, who had protested the 1942 evacuation and helped Nisei seniors receive their degrees.

Elsewhere, Bill Hosokawa wrote about the Hiroshima Maidens, and Col. John A. Bradley was announced as speaker for Nisei Soldiers Memorial Day services at Arlington National Cemetery. Harry Honda previewed the 1955 holiday issue and JACL’s 25th anniversary. Chapter news came from Clovis, Selma, Denver and Salt Lake, with sports and Shonien Home reports on the later pages.

What’s in this issue

Obituaries

  • Dr. Monroe E. Deutsch, Provost Emeritus of U.C., Dies Suddenly, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Dr. Monroe E. Deutsch, 76, vice president and provost emeritus of the University of California, died suddenly of a cerebral hemorrhage on Oct. 21. He was a champion of minority rights, protested the 1942 evacuation, and helped Nisei seniors receive their degrees.
  • Judge McWilliams Dies, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Superior Judge Robert L. McWilliams, 74, died Oct. 24 at Stanford Hospital. He had served on an advisory board for the Northern California JACL regional office during the postwar resettlement period.

National

  • Nationality Law Affecting Dual Citizens Nears Deadline, by Helen Mineta, page 1. The State Department warned Nisei dual citizens living in Japan that Section 350 of the Immigration and Nationality Act becomes operative Dec. 24, 1955, and could cost them U.S. citizenship. The article lists the exemptions and required steps for preserving citizenship.
  • Refugee Relief Program Builds Goodwill in Southern Japan, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A New York Times report credits the JACL with helping the Refugee Relief program, which undercut Communist propaganda in Kyushu. Japanese emigrants selected under the program are earning wages that seem incredible to farmers back home.
  • Dual Citizenship Visa Allocations Under Refugee Relief Act, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The JACL urged Congress to reallot unused Refugee Relief visas to indigenous refugees before the program expires in December 1956. More than 11,000 Japanese have applied for relief.
  • Congressional Hearings Slated for November, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Senate hearings on the evacuation claims program and on vested wartime property are scheduled for November. Hearings on Walter-McCarran Act amendments are also expected to follow later in the month.

Community

  • Post JACL Insignias at Selma City Limit, by P.C. Staff, page 1. National JACL insignias have been completed and approved for posting at the north and south entrances to Selma. Selma is believed to be the first chapter to initiate this project.
  • Clovis Becomes Tenth Chapter in Central California, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A petition for a JACL charter signed by 40 potential members has been received for a new Clovis chapter. The chapter will be formally welcomed at the Central California convention in Fresno on Dec. 4.
  • Oakland JACL Participates in Festival of Nations, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Oakland JACL took part in the Festival of Nations at the Oakland Auditorium on Oct. 22 and 23. Members handled food, exhibits, tickets, and publicity for the annual event.
  • Sebastopol Workshop to Feature NC-WNDC Convention, by P.C. Staff, page 4. A chapter workshop will be held during the Northern California-Western Nevada District Council convention in Sebastopol on Nov. 6. Panels and discussion groups will address recruiting volunteers and membership campaigns.
  • Voters’ Rally Seen as Top SF Event, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The San Francisco chapter sponsored a political rally at Buchanan YMCA attended by nearly 150 Issei and Nisei. Candidates for mayor presented their platforms before the Nov. 8 election.
  • San Francisco Women Hear Floral Expert, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Forty members and friends attended a flower arrangement demonstration at the San Francisco Women’s Auxiliary monthly meeting. Mrs. Kyotow demonstrated Sogetsu-style arrangements.
  • Issei Naturalized Citizens to Be Honored in Denver, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Mile-Hi JACL will host a family potluck and reception honoring more than 150 Issei who became citizens in the past year. American flag lapel pins will be presented at the event.
  • Southwest L.A. JACL Sponsors Big ‘D’ Hop, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Southwest Los Angeles JACL will hold a Big D dance at the New Clark Hotel on Nov. 12 following the PSWDC banquet honoring Assemblyman Edward Elliott. Nisei Week queen Stella Nakadate and attendants will serve as hostesses.
  • Salt Lake JACL Plans Inaugural Dinner Dance, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Salt Lake JACL chapter will hold an inaugural dinner dance for 1956 officers on Nov. 5 at the El Gaucho Inn. The evening will celebrate JACL’s silver anniversary and present the JACL pin to its most cooperative member.
  • Christmas Cheer Fund Drive Reaches 17 Percent of Goal, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The eighth annual Christmas Cheer drive in Los Angeles has raised $445.87, passing 17 percent of its $2,000 goal. Contributions support needy Japanese families and are accepted at the JACL regional office.
  • Fujimoto Named Bowler of the Year, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Easy Fujimoto, Long Beach JACL president, received the first Bowler of the Year award from the Southern California Nisei Bowling Association. He was recognized for promoting goodwill through the sport.
  • Shonien Volunteers Begin Landscaping, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Volunteers are donating labor, materials, and equipment to landscape the new Shonien Home grounds in Los Angeles. Women’s groups are preparing lunches for the work crews on Sundays.
  • Shonien Board Names New York Social Worker Superintendent, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Mike M. Suzuki, a social worker with the Jewish Family Service in New York, was appointed superintendent of the new Japanese Children’s Home. He takes the post Nov. 1 after a four-month search.
  • Los Angeles Optimist Club Plans Tokyo Unit, by P.C. Staff, page 7. A Japanese Optimist International unit is being formed in Tokyo following contacts made by George Aratani. A new all-Nisei club is also being organized in San Francisco.

Military & Veterans

  • Col. John A. Bradley to Speak at Nisei Soldiers Memorial Day Services, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Col. John A. Bradley will speak at the National Nisei Soldiers Memorial Day services at Arlington National Cemetery on Sunday. The program honors Nisei veterans of World Wars I and II and the Korean War.
  • Historic 3d Infantry Regiment Detailed for Memorial Services, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The 3d Infantry Regiment, the Old Guard, will take part in the Nisei veterans memorial services at Arlington Cemetery this Sunday. The article traces the regiment’s history and its ceremonial duties.

Commentary

  • Hiroshima Maidens, by Bill Hosokawa, page 2. Bill Hosokawa reports on the Hiroshima Maidens, young Japanese women disfigured by the atomic bomb who came to the United States for plastic surgery. He argues the project shows how much humanitarian need remains among bomb victims.
  • Adoption of Child, by Budd Fukei, page 3. The writer urges prospective parents to adopt through authorized agencies and argues that childless couples should not be excluded by overly strict standards. The piece concludes that adoption brings lasting joy to parents.
  • Early PC Holiday Advertisers, by Smoky Sakurada, page 4. Smoky Sakurada reports on early advertisers and greeting solicitations for the Pacific Citizen Holiday Issue in Chicago. The column also notes Chicago community members and events.
  • Dateline Northwest, by Budd Fukee, page 4. The column urges prospective parents to adopt through authorized agencies and criticizes unnecessarily strict adoption standards. It concludes that adoptive parents bring great joy to children and families.
  • Very Truly Yours: Holiday Issue Season, by Harry Honda, page 6. Harry Honda previews the 1955 holiday issue, themed around JACL’s 25th anniversary, and lists the material still wanted. He notes the 1000 Club honor roll and deadlines for submissions.
  • The Southwest Corner, by Tats Kushida, page 6. Tats Kushida reports on November observances by PSW chapters honoring new Issei citizens and other local news. The column includes notes on members and upcoming events.
  • Mike Masaoka Washington JACL Office Relocates, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Washington JACL office will move to Suite 1214 Hurley-Wright Building effective Nov. 1. The new office is located near the White House and the United States Information Service.

Incarceration & Redress

  • Dual Status Continued: Necessary Steps to Preserve Citizenship, by P.C. Staff, page 2. This continuation explains how Nisei dual citizens in Japan may lose or preserve U.S. citizenship under Section 350. Mike Masaoka urges families to consult American consulates before the deadline.

Arts & Entertainment

  • Paul Horiuchi Wins Seattle Post-Intelligencer Prize, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Seattle artist Paul Horiuchi was awarded a $100 prize at the Artist’s Equity Association show for his watercolor on rice paper. The writer praises the continued success of his work.
  • Bob Kino Stars in Television Film, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Nisei actor Robert Kinoshita stars in a half-hour television film in the series This Is the Life, about a Nisei couple facing racial intolerance in a small town. The film was previewed at an Optimist Club meeting.

Sports

  • Japan Pro Baseball Welcomes New York Yankees, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The New York Yankees opened their Japan tour with a 10-2 win over the Mainichi Orions before a crowd of 25,000 at Korakuen Stadium. The tour continued with games in Japan and Sapporo.
  • Sacramento Weightlifter Helps U.S. Win World Title, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Tommy Kono of Sacramento won the 181-pound class, helping the United States edge Russia by one point for the world weightlifting team title. Five extra points from a disputed scoring decision were key.
  • Furukawa to Defend California Nisei Open Title, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Erwin Furukawa of Seattle will return to Pebble Beach to defend his California Nisei Open golf championship. The tournament was started in 1951 by the Garden City Golf Club.

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