JACL’s 1954 legislative plan: statehood, claims and Issei naturalization

Vol. 38, No. 2, January 8, 1954. 8 pages. View this issue

Mike Masaoka, the JACL’s Washington representative, set out a ten-point legislative program for the new Congress, led by Hawaii statehood, changes to speed the evacuation claims program, and funding to help Issei become citizens. His Washington Newsletter and a column by Haruo Ishimaru both turned to Judge Goodman’s San Francisco ruling on Issei naturalization. Local stories told of Issei sworn in as citizens in Santa Cruz and San Luis Obispo counties, with help from the Watsonville JACL.

Other pages cover Hiroshi Miyamura, named one of the ten outstanding young American men of 1953, and chapter installations in Berkeley, Washington, D.C., Denver, Delano and Rexburg. K. Saibara wrote about his return visit to Japan, Bill Hosokawa about raising Nisei children, and Larry Tajiri about Hosokawa’s Heart Mountain article. Sports notes and an NAACP civil rights report fill out the issue.

What’s in this issue

JACL

• Hawaii Statehood Leads JACL 10-Point Legislative Program, page 1. Mike Masaoka, JACL Washington representative, outlined the organization’s ten-point legislative program for the Second Session of the 83rd Congress. Priorities include Hawaii statehood, evacuation claims amendments, and appropriations to speed naturalization of Issei.

Community

• Citizenship Action in 2 Days, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Three Issei in Santa Cruz County were granted citizenship under the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952, the first Japanese aliens in the county to receive it. The Watsonville JACL helped expedite their processing.
• Japanese Americans Sworn in as Citizens in San Luis Obispo, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Four Issei from San Luis Obispo County were among 24 new citizens sworn in by Superior Court Judge Ray B. Lyon. Lt. Col. James M. McGrath, a former prisoner of war, addressed the new citizens on democratic responsibilities.
• Two Snake River Nisei Wounded in Duck Hunting Accident, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Two men were wounded when a shotgun discharged in a duck blind on a Snake River island near Weiser, Idaho. One victim lost three fingers in the incident.
• Three Drown, Boy Rescued as Fishing Skiff Capsizes in Stockton Winds, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Percy Nakagawa, his father Yokichi, and Satoru Kikumura drowned when their fishing skiff capsized in high winds on the San Joaquin River. Percy’s young son survived by floating in his raincoat until rescuers reached him.
• Berkeley CL to Take Title Soon, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Berkeley JACL completed its first year as a separate unit after dividing from the Eastbay chapter. The chapter also incorporated as a nonprofit and will soon take title to its community hall on Haste Street.
• Masaoka Recalls Days When Only 5 Nisei Were in U.S. Civil Service, by P.C. Staff, page 4. At the Washington, D.C. chapter installation, Mike Masaoka recalled that only about five Nisei held federal civil service jobs before the war. He credited JACL advocacy with opening government employment, and about 10,000 Nisei now hold federal posts.
• Sam Matsumoto Heads Mile-Hi CL, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Sam Y. Matsumoto was installed as president of the Mile-Hi JACL chapter in Denver at a New Year’s Day dinner. Other officers were also announced for the 1954 cabinet.
• Delano CL Elects New ’54 Cabinet, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Delano JACL elected Joe Katano as its 1954 chapter president along with a new cabinet. The chapter recently held a children’s Christmas party and dance.
• Yellowstone CLers Name Haruo Yamasaki President, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Yellowstone JACL chapter in Rexburg, Idaho elected Haruo Yamasaki as its new president in December elections. The rest of the 1954 cabinet was also announced.

Commentary

• Washington Newsletter: Issei Naturalization Victory, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Masaoka analyzes Judge Goodman’s San Francisco ruling allowing Issei with 5-F classifications to be naturalized. He notes a companion Denver case is pending and that the outcome may determine whether the government appeals.
• Tournament of Roses, by Harry K. Honda, page 2. Honda describes watching the 65th Tournament of Roses parade from a second-story office window on Colorado Boulevard. He also recalls the Downtown Los Angeles JACL members and Pasadena community figures he met that day.
• Year of the Horse, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 3. Murayama explains the Japanese zodiac and the tradition of foretelling years by animal, noting Horse years have historically brought prosperity and peace. He cites several notable Horse years in Japanese history.
• Start of a Good Year, by Haruo Ishimaru, page 5. Ishimaru celebrates Judge Louis Goodman’s decision favoring Issei classified 5-F in World War I, calling it a major victory. He credits the JACL and the Nisei attorneys who argued the case.
• Immigration Address Reports: Questions and Answers, by Washington JACL Office, page 5. The Washington JACL Office, with the INS, answers common questions about the annual alien address report required in January. It explains reporting procedures, penalties for failure to report, and exemptions.
• Nisei Parents: The Fuddy-Duddy, by Bill Hosokawa, page 7. Hosokawa reflects on the challenges of raising children and reflects on how Issei parents managed the generational and cultural divide. He draws a comparison to his own situation as a father of the Nisei generation.
• Vagaries: The Hosokawa Story, by Larry Tajiri, page 7. Tajiri highlights Bill Hosokawa’s Saturday Evening Post article on Heart Mountain homesteaders and profiles Hosokawa’s career. He also notes other Nisei achievements in film, sports, and government.
• Pacific Citizen Editorial: A Necessity, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The editorial urges members to subscribe to the Pacific Citizen as the JACL’s official publication. It argues the paper is the most economical way to keep informed about JACL activities.

In-Depth

• Pioneer Rice Grower of Texas Revisits Japan, by K. Saibara, page 2. Kiyoaki Saibara, a Webster, Texas rice grower, recounts his 1953 return to Japan after nearly 50 years. He reflects on postwar changes in Japan and his meetings with prominent Japanese citizens and the Doshisha University community.

Military & Veterans

• Miyamura Honored as Outstanding Young Man of 1953, page 3. Hiroshi Miyamura, Nisei Medal of Honor recipient, was named one of the ten outstanding young American men of 1953 by the U.S. Junior Chamber of Commerce. He was recognized for his heroism in the Korean War and his treatment as a prisoner of the Communists.
• Ribbons Awarded to Nisei Servicemen, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Several Nisei servicemen received commendation awards for their service, including M/Sgt. Daniel Horikawa for interpreting assistance and Kaname Inabe for his service with the 45th Infantry. Also recognized was Set. William T. Davis for helping recover national treasures from Okinawa.

Sports

• Placer County Striped Bass Derby, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Hideo Makishima won the first prize in the Placer County JACL striped bass derby with a 25-pound, 13-ounce catch. Seventy-three residents participated in the December 27-29 contest.
• Univ. of Hawaii Cagers and Local Sports Notes, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The University of Hawaii basketball team finished its West Coast trip with a 3-9 record against strong opposition. Coverage also notes Nisei players and athletes across several sports.

National

• Minority Report: Civil Rights and Eisenhower Administration, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The NAACP warned that civil rights legislation has stalled during the first year of the Eisenhower administration. Alabama voters also approved a measure to eliminate the poll tax.

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