Can a pre-World Jennifer An, War II building in San of Frnnciscots J-town be . 'America's saved l Officials say its_ Next Top ties to the Issei Modell says community make it more APAs invaluable. are needed on TV . .» PAGE 4 . »PAGE 9 2 OCT. 16-NOV. 5, 200.9 LffiERS/COMMENTARY/WHAT'S INSIDE PACIFIC ill cmtEN .. .. ~ ...... '. . : . PACIFIC iii CmZEN, : ~§ LETTERS TO THE ED.ITOR· ~. HOWTO REACH US E-mail: [email protected] Remember Both Sides All of us - in and out of camp• owners of the store were cheering Online: www.pacificcitizen.org suffered all kinds of indignities. and celebrating the destruction of : Tel:(800) 966·6157 I am writing in memory of my Nisei uncle James Katsuki Qtsuka who The JACL was desperately engaged the buildings in New York after : Fax: (213) 620·1768 resisted the draft. Prior to the war, he aspired to become a lawyer and was in finding any and all means to dis• the plane crashes. The delivery• Mail: 250E.FirstStreet.Suite 301 Los Angeles; CA 90012 acutely aware of the civil rights violation that was in process. I can hear his pel the fears and suspicions of the man reported this to his boss who words, "Fighting in the Armed Services would have sent the message that American public. immediately had all Budweiser STAFF I supported the way we were being treated at home." Given his beliefs, The performance of the members products removed from the store Executive EditOr Caroline Y. Aoyagi.Stom Uncle Jim made a very logical decision. of the 100thl442nd RCf and the and suspended further delivery of : Standing-by his ideals, his act led to years in a federal prison and the loss MIS, as envisioned by the JACL, all Budweiser products to the : Assistant Editor ' Lynda Lin of his U.S. citizenship. The American Civil Liberties Union provided legal pav~d the way for Nisei to be store. After other merchants fol• assistance to regain his citizenship by the late 1960s. However, his years of accepted by the public for employ• lowed suit, the store was forced to Reporter 'NaleaJ. Ko fighting the U.S. decision to intern Japanese Americails, created a dark ment in govemment and business close." cloud and exclusion from mainstream life. His stand was not recognized as sectors as evidenced by the offices The e-mail message ended stat• Business Manager a righteous act by the Japanese American community. It was a point of and positions - which were closed ing how this was a wonderful Kristin Iwata shame for our family and not discussed for years. to minorities in pre-war days - held example of Americans working Circulation We need to remember both sides of the conflict. Both sides served to pro• by so many Nisei and Sansei in pub- together to "kick ass." Eva Lao-Ting tect and uphold the freedoms, which we cherish as Americans. Those who lic service today. . Upon checking this story on fought abroad and those who fought at home were both courageous and In my opinion instead of an apol• www.snopes.com.Idiscovered '.. The Pacific Citizen newspaper (lSSN: , 0030-8579) is published semi-monthly deserve a place of honor. ogy, the JACL should take pride in this story to be false, and is circu• the role it took during the war. It led lated each year around the 9/11 (except once in December and January) by the Japanese American JANICE McCORMICK to Redress and, without question, anniversary. P.e. readers should Citizens league. ...., OJAI, CALIF. the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights check these stories with Act. Let us not forget that Redress snopes.com. Remembering the jACL ., also included a presidential pardon many false stories spread about• · 1765 Sutter St. Nisei Veterans Paved the Way for all convicted of vioItlting the loyal JAs after Pearl Harbor, we San Francisco, CA94115 selective service laws. need to be vigilant that other :JACl PreSident: Larry Oda With reference to wwn." These veterans were not . National Director: Floyd Mort Donald Wakida's attempting to orchestrate an effort groups are not similarly victim• letter about Nisei to preserve their legacy. Their LEO H. HOSODA ized. P.C, BOARD OF DIRECTORS veterans ("Nisei legacy had already been preserved ROSEVILLE, CALIF. Margie Yamamoto, chairperson; Paul Veterans Fought to in history by their performance dur- PHIL SHIGEKUNI Niwa, EDC; Lisa Hanasono, MDC; Kathy Ishimoto, CCDC; Judith Aono, Prove Our Loyalty" . ing World War 11 Verify False Stories CIVIL .RIGHTS CHAIR, NCWNPDC; Justine Kondo, PNWDC; p.e. Aug. 21-Sept. However, the veterans were Shortly before Sept. 11 this year, I SAN t'ERNANOO JACL Jeff ltami, IDC; Ted Namba, PSWDC; 3), he and the veterans at the 2000 protesting the need for JACL to ap was sent an e-mail telling a story, Naomi Oren, Youth JACL National Convention in ologize to anyone, especially to the which was quite disturbing: Write to: Letters, Pacific Citizen Monterey, Calif. took issue with draft resisters whose actions had a "On 9/11101 , a man delivering 250 E. 1st St., Suite # 301 SUBSCRIBE the vote on a resolution "to extend negative effect on the American Budweiser beer to a store in a small Los Angeles, CA 90012 Get a one-year subscription to the or e-mail: [email protected]. Pacific Citizen newspaper at an apology to the draft resisters for public to the detriment of Japan~ town north of Bakersfield, Calif. Letters may be edited for length &darity. www.pacificcitizen.org or call :.. not supporting them during the Americans. came onto a scene where the Arab .• (800) 966-6157 ~ ...... •...... •...... ADVERTISE NATIONAL DIRECTOR'S REPORT To advertise in the Pacific Citizen, call (BOO) 966-6157 ore-mail: Help Save Minidoka -INSIDE 10/16-11 [email protected] Will we allow economic interests to determine the path of a ------...... THIS ISSUE LEGAL No part of this publication may be repro• power line through the historic site? duced without the express permiSSion Metro Connector of the Pacific CitIzen. By Floyd Mori interest when its goals have led us to Plans to bring better passenger Editorials, news and the opinions devalue our natural monuments and transit to litHe Tokyo are being The conflict of national parks. expressed by columnists other than the met with criticism. national JACL P,resident or national self-interest ver- - The Minidoka National Historic PAGE 5 director do not necessarily reflect JACL sus national inter• Site faces endangerment because the , policY: Event and products advertised in est haS been with forces of economic development . Honoring Ralph Carr the Pacific Citizen do not carry the us from the foun• feel a need to construct 'a power line implicit endorsement of the JACL or this The community wants t? place a dation of this over the property. PHOTO: VANTA EL publication . We reserve the right to edit plaque on a highway named in his artides. • great nation. The names Mathers, Albright and Heartbreaking Stories honor. While the values Ickes bare the scars of battling to PAGE 6 MEMBERS embodied in the market system of preserve nature versus the interests Cambodian Americans testify about their Change of Address life that have governed our economy of profit-seeking corporate America. experiences under the Khmer Rouge regime. have been the catalyst for economic These three pioneers have been KalpenModf yoo've moved, please and material progress, we as a nation Preserving Poston . The White House employee d new information to: takes questions from JACL youth. National JACL have had the wisdom to hamess self- See MORVPage 13 Communil5' leaders fight to save the -PAGE 7 1765 Sutter St. WWI! internment camp. San Francisco, CA CORRECTION PAG:E 3 94115 Domestic Violence Allow 6 weeks for In the Oct. 2-15 issue, the photo info S.F. YWCA Building APA leaders mark National Domestic . address changes. provided to the P. C. was incorrect (" JACL Violence Awareness Month with The history of the Nihonmachi Little Friends' avoid interruptions Holds Successful Gala"). The correct info ca~aigns. building is part of the lesson plan. education delivery, please is: (Standing, 'or) Go For Broke's PAGE 4 PAGE 1u your postmas• Chn"stine Sato-Yamazaki, JAKVN's to include periodi• Thomi Yamamoto, Sen. Daniel K. Inouye ALSO ON ·'C>·--· .. · , . cals in your change and Rep. Mike Honda. (Seated, 'or) Pacificcitizen.or~ of address (USPS JAVPls Bob Nakamoto, Sen. Daniel K. Form 3575) Akaka and NJAHS' Rosalyn Tonai. Hapa actre$sAnna Enger gears up for 'Into the Darkness:
' .. I PACIAC !iii CrnzEN . TOP STORIES OCT. i6-NOV. 5, 2009 3 Bringing· Poston_Back to the Present
PHOTO: POSTON RESTORATION PROJECT
DEBRIS: Members of the Poston Restoration Project are racing against the clock to clean up and restore Poston, which has the largest remaining infrastructure of all 10 main WWII intemment camps.
The diverse membership of the groups involved "Midlife she developed this incredible rage about this expe• dum of agreement between the JA cornmunity and the tribes. in the Poston restoration effort sheds light on the rience, for herself, for her parents, for her family, and she want• 'There are all sorts of issues, legal ramifications and sover• eignty and CRIT- they're the feistiest," he says. inte~ents camp's colorful past ed to trace it down," he continued. "She wanted to take care of these demons, so she came out to Parker." Okimoto met with Dennis Patch, CRIT Tribal Councilman Carrying on the Legacy By Christine McFadden and Education Director, who coincidentally lived in one of the Not all tribal members are as positive about the restoration as Special to the Pacific Citizen former barracks. Cravath. According to Cravath, the two "had the same vision." 'There are still tribal members against doing anything with The roofs of the 16 buildings that still stand on the former site In 1999, CRIT set aside an initial 40 acres (now 80) of reser• Poston," he wrote in an e-mail. 'The current generation heard of the Poston internment camp need work. The wood is raw and vation for the project. Four years later, 15 former Poston their parents/grandparents complaining about how good the exposed. The structures are vulnerable to the arid temperatures detainees, including Okimoto, and 15 CRIT members met at internees got it." of southwestern Arizona. It needs sealant and metal roofing - the reservation to plan for restoration. According to Cravath, tribal members were told nothing by not just to protect its physical history, but its unique personal 'They got it rolling," Cravath says. the OIA of why the JAs were relocated to their land. history as well. ''For all they knew it was like Israeli development on the If left alone, there is a possibility that Poston, which has the Restoration Efforts West Bank," he says. largest remaining infrastructure of all 10 internment campsites, Poston is broken into three separate sites separated by 1-3 Both parties working on the project are strong advocates for will deteriorate in just a few years. miles. As of Sept. 23, all asbestos and lead-based paint had been the spread of education of the historical events that took place Members of the Poston Restoration Project are doing every• removed from Camp 1. onsite. thing they can to prevent this from happening. Funded by "One thing I've tried to do is get the story out as often as pos-. grants from organizations such as the California Civil Liberties POSTON FAMILIES: Misako sible," Cravath adds. Public Education Program and guided by the Environmental Shigekawa (left) with her son Kiyomoto's parents lived in Poston Camp 3, Block 305. Protection Agency, members are racing against the clock to Gerald (standing) and When attempting to collect information for a family tree for restore this pinnacle place in Japanese American internment Marlene. Below brothers her parents' 50th anniversary, she was disappointed to find that history. Jimmy (left) and Roger little existed. Working toward the end goal of building preservation and Hanada lived in Block 305. ''1 searched the Internet on the subject of Poston and was very . the construction of an onsite multicultural museum, the diverse disappointed. There was very little information, and only a few membership of the Poston restoration effort sheds light on the government photos," she wrote. internment camp's colorful past. Marlene Shigekawa's involvement in the project lies in her motivation to carry on her father's legacy. Shigekawa, the Uncovering Poston Poston Cornmunity Alliance, Inc.'s current treasurer, was born When Dr. Ruth Okimoto, 73, became curious about the his• in Poston Camp 1 and her father served as the camp's chief of ' tory behind the internment camp that imprisoned her for three police. years as a child, she uncovered a unique story behind it that ''1 feel like he did much to uphold the rights of Japapese eventually launched a full-scale effort toward its restoration. Americans and 1 heard a lot of stories from both my parents and ''1 began to wonder about how in the world did that whole 1 feel like that history should not be forgotten," she says. thing come about, and that's when 1 got real curious," she says Okimoto decided to take a step back from the project in of Poston, located on Native American reservation lands near hopes that the younger generation will get involved in the Parker, Arizona. However, progress on some fronts has been hindered. restoration. Okimoto obtained a research grant and access to reservation In 2002, a match was lit and thrown in the auditorium locat• "1 was thinking younger people should probably get archives on the land that once imprisoned over 18,000. She edinCamp 1. involved," Okimoto said, although she continues to help by pre• uncovered-an interesting relationship. "It was still standing, and it was beautiful," Okimoto remem• senting oral histories of the "'The War Relocation Authority (WRA) were looking for a bers. "But it bumt the wood part of it, the stage, and all of the camp. site - a deserted site, and the reservation certainly fulfilled that beautiful hardwood floor. It was a real shame." 'There is a core of pea- Help Restore Poston requirement," she says. pIe who believe the stories According to Poston Cornmunity Alliance Board member A donation of $10, $20 or more Her research revealed that the WRA contacted the former and archivist Dianne Kiyomoto, RD, the group is currently of those who suffered so wiN go far. Send checks Office of Indian Affairs (OIA) and struck a deal during WWII. . working on bringing back an original donated barrack to camp, grave an injustice need to be payable to 'Poston Community The OIA agreed to relinquish their land as an internment camp located 17 miles away in Parker. . told, their lives honored, Alliance' to: in exchange for Japanese American labor to build a canal, Cravath recently wrote a successful grant to the National and the remarkable ways Marlene Shigekawa bringing in water to the reservation. they survived recorded," Park Service, earning a "challenge" grant of $25,994 to record 956 Hawthorne Drive "She [Okimoto] discovered this connection that nobody had the oral histories of former internees. This means that the Cravath says . • Lafayette, CA. 945494640 ever really written about," says Dr. Jay Cravath, who works for National Park Service will double whatever money is con• Info: www.postonalliance.org the education department of the Colorado River Indian Tribes Christine McFadden is a tributed. or [email protected] (CRIT). Additionally, he is harrunering out the details of a memoran- Portland JACL member. 4 OCT. 16-NOV. 5, 2009 TOP STORIES A Piece of American History in Japantown's Heart San Francisco's Nihonmachi Little team - eventually stumbled upon YWCA Friends is in the final stages of board meeting minutes, which outlined the raising funds to repair the historic agreement to hold the property in trust for the building. women. In a 2092 out-of-court settlement, NLF became the owner of the YWCA building. By Nalea J. Ko Those involved in the fight to preserve the case Reporter hailed it as a victory. "I think for the purposes of California histo• Officials with Nihonmachi Little Friends in ry, this is an important legal fight," said Tamaki, San Francisco say that after seven years of who added that the building has stayed in com• fundraising they are nearing their goal of munity service for 80 years and should remain restoring a pre-World War II building with ties in community service in perpetuity. to the Issei community. Following the legal decision, they started a In the 1900s~ California's Alien Land Law capital campaign in 2002 called the Issei prohibited immigrants who were ineligible for Women's Legacy project to purchase and reno• citizenship from owning certain property or vate the Sutter Street property. To date they land. But many Japanese American immi• have raised about $2.1 million and need about grants found ways around the discriminatory $100,000 to meet their goal. laws. "It was a pretty unusual case and one that A group of young Issei women realized their really brought out the history of Japanese ~F dream with the help of the community's sup• Americans in this country," said . port. Unable to own property, they tumed to Executive Director Cathy Inamasu, who has the YWCA to hold their property in trust. been with the childcare facility since 1975. '1t The women commissioned prolific architect brought a lot of sectors of the community Julia Morgan in the 1930s to design their together." women's JA YWCA on 1830 Sutter Street, Inamasu explained that $100,0Q0 is needed which is now occupied by the Nihonmachi to complete the fundraising goal and make Little Friends (NLF) childcare facility. needed repairs to the building. Renovations to Morgan, who is best known for her work on the kitchen facility, upstairs bathroom and audi• Hearst Castle, did the work pro bono. Many torium will be made, said lnamasu. more would dedicate their services free of charge in what became a journey to preserve Educating the Future the legacy of these Issei women. The Sutter Street building now houses the ''Well, it's basically the legacy of racism that NLF bilingual childcare programs, which resulted in thi parti~ular legal dispute. In going serves over 200 children annually. About 50-60 back to the 1920s and 1930s this was the ultra percent of the children have some Japanese racist period of California's history," said Don ancestry, said Inamasu. There are two pre• Tamaki, a partner at the law office of Minami school programs and an after school program. Tamaki LLP. 'The issue became how do you All of the children leam' about the building's get ahead in America without owning property? Issei founders. You can't without taking root in the society." The significance of the building rnight be too The Issei women took root at the Sutter complex for the young children to fully com• Street building for less than a decade before prehend, but parents say the culturally rich cur• they were sent to intemment camps, according riculum drew them to the school in the first to Dr. Gary Kono. The YWCA held their prop• place. erty in trust for years. But in 1996 the YWCA "I tell you having the kids at Nihonmachi planned to sell the building for $1.65 million. Little Friends gave us a community," said The YWCNs decision to liquidate the prop• Joyce Oishi, who is also on the NLF capital erty triggered the memories of long-time com• campaign committee. '1t really gave us this munity members, who recalled the YWCNs wonderful opportunity to meet parents who are PHOTOS COURTESY OF NIHONMACHI LITTLE FRIENDS promise. Tamaki was a part of a legal team of interested in giving their children a warm, safe about 10' people, who worked pro bono to environment." search for proof of that promise. Oishi's two children attended classes at NLF. What he and others would find helped save Now in middle school and high school, they The YWCA building the building. retum 'at times to give back. Her 15-year-old on Sutter Street in son Kaz recalled helping during lunch. San Francisco Preserving JA History "You meet people you'll keep in touch with (above) was built by even in high school," he said. "[1be] immer• The building was the vision of young JAs Issei women, who were forced to create a separate YWCA sion is great and the food is even better. [It's a] occupied by Nisei . for their use. Because YWCAs were segregat• great place to spend your childhood." and preserved by ed, a group of young Issei set out to seek dona• lnamasu, who pas been with NLF since tions to build their own facility. 1975, said NLF expects to meet its fundraising Sansei. Those who were involved in the history of goal by the end of the year. Many hope the the battle, say it took the community's support legacy of the Issei founders will live on forev• Now used by to build the structure and to save it. er. Nihonmachi Little Many long-time community members 'The building is really a manifestation of Friends, the child• recalled walking door-to-door to collect dona• their vision to organize and create this building care facility, teaches tions for the building. in the face of. all this racism," Tamaki culture, including Years later when the YWCA was facing explained. '1t is an American story of historical undokai or 'sports financial troubles, officials decided to sell the importance. This is a part of California history." day' (left) and lesson Sutter Street property. But many recalled a about the legacy of promise to allow the Issei women to purchase • the Issei founders. the property. For more information: A group of volunteers - including a legal www.nlfchildcare.org MeIAC ill CmzEN TOP STORIES OCT. 16-NOV. 5, 2009 5
PHOTO COURTESY OF METRO
Metro is considering four options to connect existing transit lines. One option is the underground altemative (above) , which runs between Little Tokyo's First and Alameda Streets. Little Tokyo Sounds Off About Metro's Expansion Plans
Community leaders continue to meet with Metro Jewelry District, the Civic Center, the Toy District, the Historic lion with an operating cost of $9.8 million. This option would officials to emphasize the area's historical and Core, the Arts District, the Financial District and the Jewelry go west along Main and Los Angeles Street and north along" cultural significance. District. Temple Street. And the final option, the underground light rail Constructing the regional connector would allow passengers alternative, is estimated to be $910 million, costing $5.2 to By Nalea J. Ko to travel through the downtown area without having to transfer, operate. Its route would run along Second Street, crossing into Reporter said Dolores Roybal Saltarelli, Metro project manager. Little Tokyo. 'The elimination of these transfers would save passengers "No option is really acceptable to us," said Craig Ishii, JACL Little Tokyo stakeholders are expresshlg concerns over between 12 and 20 minutes of travel time per average trip, and PSW regional director. Metro's plans to expand the city's mass transit system in the would reduce the need for casual prulsengers - those without "Little Tokyo - this is the whole community - the whole area. monthly transit passes who pay for each trip individually - to community for the most part is not opposed to the idea of pub• The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation pay additional fares." Saltarelli wrote in an e-mail to the Pacific lic transit and is not opposed to Metro. It is only opposed to Authority, or Metro, has been collecting community input about Citizen. these options that are being presented. The idea is that Little its 1.8-mile-long Regional Connector Transit Corridor project. ''In order for the Metro system to accommodate the anticipat- Tokyo should have been involved in the process where they It is a plan that would run through Los Angeles' Little Tokyo, went from 30 [project options] to four." connecting the Metro Gold, Blue and Expo Lines, and possible Ishii said they oppose the underground light rail transit alter• future transit projects. native because' of the possible traffic congestion and loss of Little Tokyo is one of the last three Japantowns left in the business during construction. The at-grade light rail transit nation including one in San Francisco and one in San Jose. alternative is also problematic because it sequesters Little Most residents and employees say they are in favor of Tokyo, said Ishii. improving.the transportation in the area, but they are also con• The JACL PSW regional board passed an Oct. 5 resolution, cerned about how Metro will mitigate negative impacts during saying they are against all options presented by Metro, unless the construction phase. proper mitigations are implemented. 'The Metro has to find ways which will in effect guarantee Sen. Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii, also submitted a It?tter to , that businesses and institutions that reflect our ethnic heritage Metro Chairman Ara Najarian urging him to be mindful of the will not be destroyed or impacted to ruination through their pre}' regional connector's possible impact on the Japanese Am ~ rican posed construction .,. and work with the Little Tokyo commu• National Museum, which has "unique characteristics and com• nity after construction is done to help ensure that the ethnic fla• pelling historic significance." vor of the community can continue and not be swallowed up by Saltarelli said they are working with the community before big-money interests," said Bill Watanabe, executive director of finalizing their decision. the Little Tokyo Service Center (LTSC). 'The project team is conducting extensive outreach in the Watanabe said his opinions are personal and do not necessar• community to identify the best possible alternative," ily reflect of the feelings of LTSC. Saltarelli said. "We are hopeful that we can identify an Construction on the regional connector could take as long as alternative that minimizes the impacts. on the downtown four years, depending on which project option is pursued. community, and provides great benefits to businesses, resi-, Metro officials have not broken ground yet. An 18-rnonth dents, and visitors in downtown Los Angeles and regional• environmental impact statement/environmental impact report is ly for the long-term." PHOTO COURTESY OF LITTLE TOKYO UNBLOGGED currently underway. It is expected to be complete by the sum• The next downtown-based Metro community meeting is mer of 2010. At the Little Tokyo Community Council meeting last month, com• Nov. 7 at 10 a.m. at the Wurlitzer Building. In the interim, Metro officials are exploring four different munity members inspected a proposed Metro project model. Stakeholders hope Metro officials will consider the his'• options for constructing the regional connector: a no build alter• torical and cultural significance of Little Tokyo. native, a transportation system management alternative, an at• "If the Little Tokyo community can plan and coalesce in grade light rail transit alternative and an underground light rail ed population growth and increases in transit users through the effective ways to ensure that the community will not be transit alternative. year 2035 and beyond, it will be important to address crowding destroyed in the future, then perhaps there is hope for Metro officials will determine which option to proceed with at these stations." change that results in positive ends for the city and for the depending on community input, Metro procedures and the Each proposed regional connector option has varying price Little Tokyo community," Watanabe said. "Without these Federal Transit Administration's guidelines. tags. The transportation system management alternative would guarantees and assurances, many in the community will be The regional connector is intended to provide those who live have an estimated capital cost of $63 million and an operating unsupportive of these changes." • and work in downtown with "more access to the light rail sys• cost of $13.6 million. That option would provide bus or shuttle tem." Little Tokyo is one of the communities that would be service between the 7th Street Metro Station and Union Station. For more information about the Metro regional included in the project area. Others include Bunker Hill, the The at-grade light rail transit alternative would be $796 mil- connector: www.metro.net. 6 OCT. 16-NOV. 5, 2009 NAnONAL NEWS PACIFIC 511 cmZEN Colorado Group Wants a Plaque for Ralph Carr National Newsbytes If funds are raised, the plaque will be placed in a By P.e. Staff and Associated Press pullout area on a highway already named in his honor. Driver Convicted in Fatal California Bus Crash COLUSA, Calif.-The driver of a bus that crashed in Northern California last year, killing 11 mostly elderly Hmong and Mien Americans, By Pacific Citizen Staff has been convicted of 11 counts of gross vehicular manslaughter. Quintin Watts, 53, was driving a bus cartying 41 passengers to a casino Colorado community leaders are last October when the bus left a rural road and rolled over. continuing efforts to remember the Authorities say Watts apparently dozed off at the wheel, leading to the PHOTO: COLORADO.GOV legacy of former Gov. Ralph Carr, crash. who opposed the World War II In 2008, Gov. Bill Ritter (left) unveiled the new 'Ralph Carr Memorial Highway' internment of Japanese Americans. sign. Now, groups want more to remember Carr's legacy. Cornell Gets a Campus APA Center To JAs, Carr is a hero, said ITHACA, NY-After a nearly decade-long fight, APA students at at the view. My hope is that they tolerance cost him his political Mitchie Terasaki, 91, of Denver. In Cornell University now have a center on campus, according to the Cornell the early 1940s she worked as a sec• will read the plaque, get back in their career. He narrowly lost the 1942 Daily Nf!!Vs. cars, and then have an opportunity to Senate election to incumbent retary in the governor's office under Located in 208 Willard Straight Hall, the Asian!Asian American Center think about and discuss Ralph Carr, Democratic Sen. Edwin C. Johnson. Carr's administration when he took (A3C) has officially opened as a temporary facility in the Office of Student his actions and his legacy," said ''It's easy to do the right thing the stance that has since earned him Support and Diversity Education. Witwer in an e-mail to the Pacific when it's the popular thing. But enduring respect. Funding for the facility mostly came from APA alumni. The university, Citizen. Ralph Carr stood up for the In 1976, residents Jillveiled a bust which was originally slated to provide funding, reneged because of a budg• of Carr - who died in 1950 - in "By reflecting on the courageous Constitution when it wasn't a fash• et crisis. Denver's Sakura Square. And in deeds of extraordinary Americans, it ionable - or politically safe - 2008, a section of U.S. Route 285 reminds us once again of the princi• stand," said Witwer. Plans for Budokan Moves to Next Phase was named the "Ralph Carr ples of this great nation, which in ' On Sept. 28, the Denver City LOS ANGELES-The dream Memorial Highway." turn makes us better citizens." Council voted to preserve Carr's for• of building a multipurpose com• Now residents are hoping to raise At the height of anti-Japanese sen• mer home located at 747 Downing munity recreation center in funds to place a plaque on the timent during WWII, Carr called for Street. Little Tokyo is one step closer memorial highway to explain Carr's racial tolerance and the protection of Capitol Hill United to becoming a reality. legacy. the basic rights of JAs. He also Neighborhoods, Inc. (CHUN) The Memorandum of About $10,000 is needed to place. helped Terasaki get her first govern• requested the designation "not only Agreement phase is complete, a bronze plaque at Kenosha Pass, mentjob. for its architecture and the fact. that it which will allow community according to Bob Wilson, a repre• Carr gave a speech at a Mile• was a governor!s residence, but that leaders to start working on executing a ground lease for the site, according sentative of the Colorado High JACL luncheon in the early Gov. Carr spoke out in defense of the to project manager Scott Ito by way of "Little Tokyo UnBlogged," a com• Department of Transportation. 1940s when her husband, Yutaka . civil rights of Japanese Americans," munity blog. The proposed plaque will be Terasaki, was chapter president. said Roger Armstrong, CHUN exec• The Budokan of Los Angeles (BoLA), formerly the Little Tokyo placed in a pullout area along the After his speech, a then 20-some• utive director.• Recreation Center, is a planned community facility that would host basket• highway. thing Terasaki told the governor ball toumaments, martial arts tournaments and other activities. Ed Witwer, a former member of that she had passed the civil serv• Ralph Carr Plaque ice exam, but was having trouble the Colorado House of To donate, send checks payable-to Retired Colonel Appeals National Guard Lawsuit Representatives who worked to have getting hired. 'CDOrto: SIOUX FALLS, S.D.-A retired colonel is appealing the dismissal of a the highway named in memory of "He said, 'My dear, give me your COOT discrimination lawsuit she filed against the National Guard, the Army and Carr, calls the memorial highway name and telephone number, '" said CIO Heather Copp three commanders. "one of the most beautiful places in Terasaki. Later Carr's secretary 4201 E. Arkansas. Ave. Room 262 Nancy Wetherill claimed discrimination based on her gender and Colorado." called to set up an appointment for a Denver, CO. 80222 Japanese American heritage and wants the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of "Every year, thousands of travel• job interview. Memo line: Ralph Carr Appeals to hear the case. ers stop their cars to get out and look Many say Carr's calls for racial A federal judge dismissed the lawsuit, saying she couldn't hear the case because of Wetherill's military status.
Hate Crimes Expansion Bill Passes House Obama Reaffirms Promise to End JACL, a longtime advocate, but have always fallen short because Asian Americans nave faced and we 'Don't Ask. Don't Tell' calls the progress 'long , of lack of House-Senate coordina• can understand how an entire com• WASHINGTON-President Barack Obarna reaffirmed his campaign pledge to end the military's "don't ask, don't tell policy" in an Oct. 10 overdue.' tion or opposition from former munity can be affected," said Floyd President George W. Bush. Mori, JACL national director. "Gay, speech, but offered no timetable or specifics for acting 9n that promise. The law was passed by Congress in 1993 and signed by President Bill ByP.e. Staff and Associated Press But this time it appears they may trans gender and disabled people succeed. The bill was attached to a have faced the same kind of hate and Clinton. In April, the New York Army National Guard moved to dismiss Iraq war combat veteran and Arabic linguist Lt. Dan Choi for openly talk• An Oct.. 8 House' vote put must-pass $680 billion we are happy that ing about his sexual orientation. Choi, who is Korean American, has been Congress on the verge of significant• defense-policy bill. 'Hate crimes are this new law will leading efforts to overturn the 16-year-old law. ly expanding hate crime laws to President Barack .something that provide protections• include sexual orientation, gender or Obama, unlike his Asian Americans for them." disability. predecesso~ has The Senate will Residents Oppose 'Geisha' Bar If Pa1jsed, The Matthew Shepard promised to sign it have faced and now vote on the OAKLAND--Community members are outraged over a recent planning & James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes into law. The late we can under• bill. commission decision to allow ''Geisha,'' a new restaurant and lounge to Prevention Act, would mark a major Edward Kennedy was stand how an Hate crimes leg• open at 316 14th Street. Community leaders, including Dr. Diana Pei Wu of the University of change to laws enacted in the days a longtime advocate of entire community islation enacted after Martin Luther King Jr.'s assas• the hate crimes legis• after King's assas• California, Berkeley, have said "Geisha" reinforces racist and sexist stereo• sination in 1968. lation. can be affected. ' sination defined types about APA women. The legislation would expand hate The JACL, which hate crimes as crimes laws to include actual or per• has urged its members - Floyd Mori. JACL those carried out Yale Establishes Annie Le Scholarship Fund ceived sexual orientation and gender to support the national director on the basis of NEW HAVEN, Conn.-A scholarship fund has been set up in memory identity. Matthew Shepard race, color, religion of Annie Lee, the slain graduate student whose body was found in a uni• Civil rights groups have come Hate Crimes Prevention Act, calls or national origin. It also limits the versity building wall on what would have been her wedding day. close to expanding the hate crimes the House vote long overdue. scope of activities that would trig• Lab technician Raymond Clark ill has been charged with killing Le, 24. bill several times in the past decade "Hate crimes are something that ger federal involvement. • The university also held a memorial for Le on Oct. 12 .• PACIFIC iii CmzEN NATIONAL NEWS OCT. 16-NOV. s, 2009 7
~. " • < 'S."~'.'~ ~ '. ' ~.~ '" ~ } A-" L ..,..., .. " ...... Q & A ·With Kalpen Modi in the N }()u asked. He answered. .lAe-L youth members asked about job duties and health care. ews He says his job at the White House is a 'challenge, b,!t a welcomed one. '
By Pacific Citizen Siaff
GLAS JACl Awards Scholarships . ,
GLAS SCHOLARS: (Above, I-f) Yu-Jen Kao, Natalie Labrador, Layne Sakamoto and Kurt Ikeda. (Left) , Matthew Arakaki won $875.
At its annual Hana Uno Shepard Memorial Scholarship anf,l Fundraiser Dance, the Greate, L.A. Singles JACL awarded scholarships to five honor students. Kurt Ikeda received a $1,000 award. Scholarship awards of $875 each were presented to Matthew Arakaki, Yu-Jen Kao, Natalie Labrador and Layne Sakamoto. GLAS JACL offers scholarships to high achieving high school seniors of Kalpen Modi is the White House's point ~erson for Asian Pacific Americans. Japanese descent, who are from single-parent families and residents of Los Angeles or Orange County. e works for the White House Office of Public Engagement, but basically you can say Takeuchi Receives Innovation Award . Kalpen Modi is the White House's ~oint p~rson for Asian Ame~cans and Pacific Islanders. Dr. Esther S. Takeuchi was recently honored with the National Medal H Since leaving Hollywood for Washington 1ll the summer, Modi has been hard at work (14- of Technology and Innovation, the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. govemment to inventors. - hour days!) tackling APA issues. He recently took the time to respond to some questions submitted Takeuchi, of the University at Buffalo, SUNY, received her award during by JACL youth members. - Pacific Citizen staff an Oct. 7 White House ceremony. The, National Medal of Technology and Innovation recognizes individu, What is the White ~ouse Office of Obama's administration? als or companies for outstanding contributions to the promotion of technol• Public Engagement and what is a ogy and the improvement of the economic, environmental or social well• - Megan Terasaki, 20, Gardena jACL. being of the US. typical day like at work? - jessica Kawamura, 24, KM: Many of the issues affecting Chin is Nominated for U.S. Court of Appeals Berkeley jACL AAPI's are the same ones affecting othef Americans: the economy, envi• President Barack Obama has nominated Judge Kalpen Modi: The Office of Public Engagement is ronment, immigration, and most of all - access to Denny Chin for a seat on the US. Court of Appeals the proverbial front door to the White House; the presi• health insurance. Many AAPI's are disproportionately for the Second Circuit. dent is coinmitted to making sure that Americans affected by inadequate access to health care, high rates : Chin currently serves as a district court judge for the across the country has a seat at the table, and to that of diabetes and cancer and issues related to language southern district of New York. effect, our office works as a team to help make sure access. If confirmed, Chin would be the only currently that's the case. There are about 20 of us, each working active APA federal appellate court judge in the US. on different issue/areas. I'm the point person for Asian President Obama's election has res• out of approximately 175 federal appellate court Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) as well as the onated strongly with many of judgeships, according to the National Asian Pacific American Bar arts community. America's youth. What avenues are Association and the Asian American Justice Center. There isn't really a typical day per se, but generally available for.APAs to get involved in we arrive around 7:30 each morning. There is generally the new administration? - Nate APAs Win NYC Primary Runoff a staff meeting in the morning, after which we each Imai, 21 ,Venice-Culver jACL Manhattan's Chinatown could be represented by Margaret Chin, who take a series of meetings and telephone calls. There are beat incumbent Alan Gerson in a Democratic primary and could win $e different projects we have in the works as well. The day KM: One of the most direct ways to get involved city council seat in the November election. generally ends around 9 or 10 p.m. is to visit http://www.serve.gov andbe part of the And Queens Councilman John Liu won the Democratic primary president's call to service. runoff for comptroller, the city's chief financial officer and one of its top What is the biggest challenge you've elected positi,ons. Liu may'become thefirstAPA to hold citywide three faced in your new position in the -How do you see health care office in New York City. Office of Public Engagement? reform benefiting APAs in - Lisa Hanasono, 27, Hoosier jACL particular? A -Park Called ·Okamoto· . - Kie Riedel, 22, Mile-Hi jACL A park in Elk Grove, Calif. will be named in honor of Pete and Sue KM: The challenges of the job Okamoto, longtime residents and co-creators, of the city's Veterans Day have to do with all of the work that we do - serving KM: Health reform will benefit Parade. the president in finding common solutions to the com• AAPIs by providing stability to those who have The Cosumnes Community Service District Board voted to name a site mon challenges before us. There is no quick fix to the coverage, and by providing coverage to those who near the comer of Mainline and Ridgerock Drives the Derr-Okamoto Park, issues affecting the country; it's a challenge, but a wel• don't. It will control costs, and ensure that we are according to the Elk Gro,ve Citizen. . corned one. not taken advantage of by insurance companies. Pete and Sue lived in Elk Grove before their families were taken to Health reform will also get rid of 'pre-existing con• Jerome and Tule Lake during wwn. After the war, they returned to the Being APA yourself, what do you think is the most ditions' and eliminate gender disparities in premi• city and became involved in leading the Boy Scouts .• pressing issue for the APA community during President ums .• 8 ocr. 16-NOV. 5, 2009 . VOICES ' PACIFIC iii CmZEN THE SHIGEKI SHAKE DOWN Circle of· Life
Uruguay For COPANI XV Greeted by 155 e-mails, we came home after six On Sept. 18, Prof. Sachie Asaka from Nagoya nights in Uruguay, where it was blustery and had specialists from Brazil and Japan present rained hard Sept. 18 during the 15th Biennial papers on·the legal status of the Nikkei immigrant PANA Convention (COPANI XV) ~ Sept. 16-19 at or dekasegi in Japan, their integration and/or return Montevideo. from Japan. That evening, 200 delegates and community Moderator Yoko Nishimura of Discover Nikkei Young Peter with his grandfather Shigeki 'Shake' Ushio. leaders braved the inclement weather and mingled in Los Angeles, updated ''Nikkei Diaspora" with at the Japanese embassy/residence reception hosted dissertations from Ricardo Hokarna (Argentina), by Japan Ambassador Dr. Masarni Takemoto. He Cecilia Oi (Brazil), Roberto Hirose (Chile), Luis was particularly happy to see that the Asociaci6n Hirata (peru) and Lilian Keiko (Uruguay). English I think it's inevitable that my children are going to make fun Panamericana Nikkei (APN) was meeting in the translation will take time.. ' of me some day. It's like the circle of life. Republica Oriental del Uruguay. Prof. Masato Ninomiya of University of Sao I think of Mufasa in 'The Lion own personality. Sept. 20 was beautiful, clear and sunny. Locals, Paulo added to ''NikkeiIdentity'' (again in King" looking on with pride while his The Great Depression and the two young and old, sat on park benches around Plaza Spanish) from Celia Sakurai (Brazil), Ariel Takeda young cub Simba is being hoisted in world wars had a severe impact on Independencia facing the Radisson Hotel, site for (Chile) and Carlos Saito (peru). . the air for the entire pride to see. the psyche of the "greatest genera• APN programs, business sessions and workshops. Concurrently, four other all-day workshops ~et: In real life, I wonder how long it tion" that raised the baby boomers. I Uruguay is really a safe place and the people are Japanese language teachers and culture in South would take for Simba to grow up, don't know what shaped the baby friendly. I even dropped my ballpoint pen while America; Attorneys and the Uruguayan parliament; notice Mufasa's idiosyncrasies, recog• boomers' psyche. Maybe it was ambling with my cane through the pedestrian mall Japanese enterprises in floriculture; agronQmics, nize his hypocrisies and articulate . Vietnam and the draft. Maybe it was (Calle Sarandi) leading to Catedral de Matriz. The and manufacturing polyethylene film in Uruguay; . scathing witty remarks at the public the satisfaction of a two-car garage young lady who saw it quickened her pace and Noritaka Yano's "Sanwey," paper bag manufactur• and the need to fill a home with more returned it to me. er in Brazil, and prospect of a trade bure to find a penny on the sidewalk. She of divorces among 20 J and 30-year• .HeV.,-SPORrS FANS,IT5 ••• wanted each of us to be thrifty and olds and I worry we might drop the avoid being materialistic. At least that's ball. On the one hand we were given ~~~r;)UUU the message I took away from grandma everything, so we should be able to ~·IJ~t!)~OOO that Christmas. sail onward with ease. On the other I wonder what stories my grandchil• hand, we've forgotten how to work dren will tell about me? Will they find for anything and we sink at the first humor in the tales of a simpler time? sight of trouble. Will they laugh when we tell them sto• I hope we can get it right. I hope our ries about dial-up Internet or life before grandchildren will tell tales of how e-mail? It wasn't that long ago that I community-oriented we were or how was living in Japan and writing hand• we bridged the gap from the pre to po t written letters home to my parents information age with grace and agility. I every week. hope they mock us for our virtue, not When I think of the differences our vice .• between my generation and the two generations that preceded me, I cannot Peter Shigeld Frandsen lives in Biloxi, help but wonder what greater forces Mississippi. He is a Mount Olympus . were at play to give each generation its JACLmember. PACIFIC ~ Cm~EN ENTERTAINMENT OCT. 16-NOV. 5, 2009 9 'America's Next Top Model' Contestant Says the Show Needs More APAs Model Jennifer ~n saysAPAs are underrepresented in the modeling industry and on the popular reality IV show. By Nalea J. Ko eye' gets," An said. Reporter Modeling is not the only stress in the show. Sharing a house with her competitors is a trying experience, said "America's Next Top Model" contestant Jennifer An, An. 23, nearly abandoned her dreams to become a model "It's a blessing and a curse," An said. ''I suppose it before 'she landed a spot on the CW TV sbow. . depends on which girls you're talking about. It's a sur• An said she wanted to be a model ever since the age real way to make friends and enemies." of 3. In college, An mustered up the courage to pursue Not afraid to voice her opinions to the other models, . a modeling career, trudging from agency to agency in An got into a minor tiff with her fellow competitor early search of representation. The Philadelphia-native said in this season. An confronted 21-year-old Bianca she believed her ethnicity and height wOl~ld thwart her Richardson, who was eliminated in episOde five, about chances of breaking into the industry. not mixing her dirty dishes with the clean ones. "Although there has been much progress, Asians ''Bianca is a disagreeable person," she said. "So, I aren't always fully represented in the fashion industry," disagree with every episode she is in. Ha." said the Korean American in an e-mail to the Pacific Citizen. ''Until recently I don't remember seeing really Overcoming Obstacles any Asian models while I was growing up." An has escaped each competition unscathed so far. An is one of 14 female models who initially made it She "screamed pretty" with passion while wrapped in on the special "under 5 feet 7 inches tall" cycle of scarves in a shoot photographed by Banks, who created "America's Next Top Model," or ANTM. It was the the show. Banks told An at judging, ''I was super first tiJne the competition opened its doors to vertically impressed with you," when she carne in as runner-up challenged models. for the best shot from the ''Take My Photo, Tyra!" The opportunity was just what An had tJeen waiting shoot. for. . Throughout the season the models have been taught "And when puberty ended and I was 5 feet 5 inches to fake looking taller. Banks warned the girls eady in . tall, I halfway gave up on the possibility of making it as the season that the fashion industry is highly. critical of a serious model," said An, who is the only Asian Pacific shorter models. American model on the show. "Regrettably, short and Models that typically traipse down high-fashion run• Asian works against you in a lot of ways." ways are taller than 5 feet and 7 inches, the maximum If the 23-year-old wins, she would score an impres• height requirement for cycle 13's ANTM. Elite sive goodie bag: a six-page spread in Seventeen Modeling considers representing models between the Magazine, a contract with Wtlhelmina Models and a ages of 16 and 22 who are five feet nine inches tall to $100,000 contract with CoverGirl cosmetics. six feet tall, according to its Web site. She would also'become the only APA to hold the title Despite the challenges confronting An, she said she in the history of the show. is grateful for the experience. She said her future is "wide open" now and jokingly asked if the Pacific An Unlikely Model . Citizen would hire her. Getting short-listed for this "short" season of ANTM ''It was an overwhelming and incredible experience," Was a highly competitive process. A media representa• An said, whose favorite photo shoot was the ''Make Me tive with ANTM said "tens of thousands" of hopeful . Tall" challenge, which was photographed by Jonathan models auditioned for the show. Mannion. ''I did things I never thought I would do, and To date, An is faring well in the competition. She I met some amazing girls that I absolutely adore." won the approval of the panel of judges in photo shoots, An's family has been by her side the entire time, sup• which challenged the petite models to "accentuate their porting her dream to be a model. height." Despite the praise, being in front of the judges '''They've always supported me in their own funny - 'lYra Banks, Nigel Barker and 1. Alexander - is little way - my father calls to congratulate me after never an anxiety-free affair. every episode." '''The toughest aspect of it is that no matter how seem• It is important to succeed on ANTM because APAs ingly good or bad you were at the actual shoot, you are not equally represented in the modeling industry or never know how the judges will respond," An said. on the show, said An. "And it never gets easier because every time you ''It was comforting at the time, knowing that I would• advance, the elimination pool gets small and smaller." n't be compared to the 'other Asian.' However, I do The pool of models was whittled down Oct. 7 to think Asians should. be more strongly represented on PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE cw eight aspiring models, when Ashley Howard was sent the show." home. Excitement, fright, nervousness and nausea are reoc• Early on An caught the attention ' of judges like cUrring emotions felt by An during the competition. But 'Although there Banks, Barker and guest judge Lauren Conrad for An is not letting her shortcomings hold her back. She something other than her modeling talent - a medical encourages others to pursue their dreams with fervor, has been much disorder called ptosis. Ptosis is a condition where the despite app~nt barriers they might face. progress, Asians upper eyelid droops because the muscles are weak. "With anything, I think people need to know their An is not the firstANTM model to openly discuss the strengths and weaknesses and find the thing they love. aren't a/ways challenges of striking a pose while coping with a med• [people should] realize that some. dreams are only ical condition. In past seasons there has been a contest• dreams," An said. fully represented ant with lupus, another with Asperger's Syndrome, a "Realistically, if you're incredibly short (like in the fashion burn victim and a model with retinitis pigmentosa me), you're going to have a tough time being a Unapologetic, An followed Banks' advice and model. But if you pursue your dreams, do so with industry. ' worked with her condition, but the long hours of taping all your might." • often aggravated her condition. '''The more tired I become, the 'luckier' my 'lucky ANIM airs .Wednesdays at 8 p.m (IT) on the CW - Jennifer An, 23 10 ocr. 16-NOV. 5, 2009 NATIONAL! COMMUNITY PACIFIC iii CmZEN M~nterey Peninsula JACL Honors Book Translator ,. , By David Yamada Special to the Pacific Citizen The Monterey Peninsula JACL Assemblymember Mike Eng attended a training session at the Asian Youth Center in San Gabriel, Calif. hosted two Oct. 3 events honoring Takako Ishida for her work trans• lating "The Japanese of the Monterey Peninsula", the chapter's APA Leaders Call Attention history book. Ishida visited Monterey from to Domestic Violence Iss'ues Hiroshima, Japan to attend both events and donated 500 copies of The API Domestic Violence Task Force In recognition of National Domestic the Japanese edition to the hosted an Oct. 1 training session at the Asian Violence Awareness Month, groups , Monterey Peninsula JACL. Youth Center in San Gabriel, Calif. are trying to defeat the 'great ally The book, which I originally Assemblymember Mike Eng, D-Monterey of domestic abusers' - silence. authored along with the chapter's Park, attended the event to help raise aware• PHOTO: LARRY ODA oral history committee, was pub• ness on domestic violence issues. By Pacific Citizen Staff lished in English in 1995. Eng authored Assembly Bill 688 this year, Honoree Takako Ishida (left) chats with Carl Niizawa. Proceeds from the book sale will which would require that all persons accused Calling it a crime that impacts all of society, benefIt the chapter's Heritage of domestic violence to have his/her case comm~ty leaders are working to raise Center Project, which aims to preserve the Francisco; the Hon. Ralph Rubio, mayor of the reviewed by a judge or commissioner before awareness about domestic violence issues in area's JA history and provide a resource center city of Seaside; and Jeff Uchida, Monterey being released back out into society. the Asian PacifIc American community. in Monterey's historic JACL Hall to local stu• Peninsula JACL president. AB 688 is currently on the desk of Gov. "Domestic violence is a learned behavior. dents and residents. Superior Court Judge Albert Maldonado, Amold Schwarzenegger to sign or veto. We see it cross frol]1 generation to generation," Ishida has authored seven papers and partic• Marina Water Board Member Ken Nishi "Far too many adults and children continue said Maria Foster, chair of the Asian and ipated in public panel discussions about and representatives from the various to live in fear of their assailants," said Eng. PacifIc Islander Domestic Task Force. education reforms and the role of women in Japanese cultural and religious organiza• "No one should have to live their life while The task force works with l Cambodian Americans Testify About War Crimes JOB OPENING @ JACL PSW JOB TITLE: Development Coordinator ANNUAL SALARY RATE: HOW TO APPLY: $14,000-15,000 ($14/hour), Non• Applicants must submit a cover let• Exempt, No-Benefits ter and resume by email to: STATUS: Regular part-time [email protected]. LOCATION: 244 S. San Pedro St. No phone calls Suite 406, Los Angeles CA 900 12 Resumes should be submitted by JOB DESCRIPTION: 11/15/2009. Primarily responsible for planning FOR MORE INFO: and implementing PSWs fundrais• visit www.jaclpsw.org ing initiatives. Community members talk about their experiences at the McBride Community Center in Long Beach, Calif. "'l:"*;;z;dbaP..,;r",C They've been silent for so long." • ...... calOlitle Aoy.!1-$IQm ... By Gillian F1accus ~_Ci\i..., _""""'--- Testimonies in Phnom Penh concluded in the trial of Associated Press Writer WK''.... !itiU(N)>ImsNld~~~~ Kaing Guek Eav, who commanded the S-21 prison n/o. where up to 16,000 people were tortured and killed. Eav, WNG BEACH, Calif.-The tiny Cambodian woman '9 ' ~~~~""'~~.~'''.~$tiW1l'lI*».¥IM;W1 Minidoka has 'enormous value to the understanding of what it means to be a citizen of this great country.' MORI development. Yet the lesson for which the monument was (Continued from page 2) intended has enormous value to the under• depicted in Ken Bums' television series, 'The standing of what it means to be a citizen of this PHaro: LAUREN MIYAKE National Parks: America's Best Idea" as sav• great country. This was the reason President Honorees and attendees (standing, I-r) Kristin Fukushima, Kathy Masaoka, Nobuko Miyamoto, Arefa iors of nature. Clinton initially used his authority under the Simjee, Munira Syeda and Anbar Mahar. (Seated, I-r) Alan Nishio, Ken Inouye, Dan Kwong, Affad Their major confrontations occurred against Antiquities Act to name this small space of Shaikh and Mike Yanagita. corporations that say our nation's natural beau• land a national monument. ties and historical lessons shoUld always be The JACL urges all who are involved to take By Craig Tomiyoshi NCRR; and, Dan Kwong and Nobuko sacrificed for economic development. a breath and look to the national heritage of Special to the Pacific Citizen Miyamoto from Great Leap, an organization These leaders fought greed and won the bat• national monuments and parks. Are we pre• dedicated to improving race relations through tle on behalf of the American people. pared to ignore the lessons of historical preser• . At its 13th annual awards dinner, JACL the performing arts. Today, another battle is erupting in the vation or will we allow expediency and eco• PSW honored community leaders and organ• A special award was also given to dinner southern region of Idaho where the power nomic interests to determine the path of an izations that have worked to connect people emcee Alan Nishio, former professor and company is hoping to ignore the lessons and ugly power line that would prove a hazard to from different cultures and backgrounds to associate vice president for student services at battles of the past in the name of expediency those who would visit this historical place? We achieve a common goal. Califomia State UniversIty, Long Beach, for and economic development. The Minidoka urge all to place the national interests above The Oct. 11 event took place at the Hilton his long-time support of the JACL and his National Historic Site is the target of a power any short-term objective of rapidly completing Orange County in Costa Mesa, Calif. service to the community. line, which is planned to pass directly over the a power line. George Tanaka from Union Bank served as "Over the years, we have seen the impact heart of the site. We ask JACL members and others who the honorary dinner chair. that community leaders can make when they Those who want to preserve the nature of wish to preserve the valuable lesson that this The event's theme, "Bridging work together on policy issues such as this site - which is a remembrance of the site provides to contact the office of the Communities: Honoring the Tradition of health care, hate crimes and education," said unlawful imprisonment of American citizens Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and their" Working Together," was inspired by the suc• Alayne Yonemoto, PSW district governor. who were placed there simply because of the representatives in Congress to let them know cessful Bridging Communities program that 'These honorees and their successes show country of their heritage - are considered an that Minidoka should be left intact and the was hosted for the first time this year. JACL that the unique bonds of friendship ground• inliignificant force in the game of economic power line should be redirected .• PSW partnered with Nikkei for Civil Rights ed in common experience can be incredibly and Redress (NCRR) and the Council on powerful and create positive social change." American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) to build The district also paid tribute to Todd Sato, a program designed to help bring the Japanese a dedicated JACL volunteer who passed American and Muslim American communi• away in June. Sato was a PSW board mem• ties together through a discussion about com• ber ana a past JACL youth/student repre• mon experiences and differences, education sentative. He worked closely with other and empowerment and leadership training. community organizations including Ties At the awards dinner, NCRR and CAIR, that Bind, Intercollegiate Nikkei Council along with individuals who have demonstrat• and Chinatown Service Center. ed a commitment to the idea of bringing com• "We are deeply saddened by the loss of munities closer together, were recognized for our good friend Todd," said Yonemoto. their efforts. The individual honorees were: "He was a true leader and passionate advo• Affad Shaikh, Ameena Qazi, Anbar Mahar, cate for our community and JACL, and he Arefa Simjee; Hussam Ayloush, Sharaf will be missed. Todd was and continues to Mowjood, and Munira Syeda from CAIR - be an example and inspiration for Qur staff Greater Los Angeles Area. and interns, and we owe much of the Other honorees included: Kenneth Inouye, growth and success of our youth programs SELANOCO JACL and chair of the Orange to.him." • County Human Relations Commission; Kathy Masaoka and Mike Yanagita from On the Web: www.jaclpsw.org Start Preparing for the Next D.C. Leadership Conference JACL chapters and districts are encouraged sentatives are also encouraged to submit alter• to start identifying candidates for the 2010 nate candidates. Most chapters pay the airfare JACUOCA D.C.. Leadership Conference to for the JACL participants unless the district be held March 5-9 in Washington, D.C. has made other arrangements. Established by the JACL in 1984, the four• Co-convened with OCA National, the day leadership conference introduces atten• conference is structured to provide atten• dees to the national policy-making arena. dees with an overview of federal level Health Plans for California Distiicts must submit applications for their decision making, including meetings and approved participants to the Washington, briefings with public officials, key policy• D.C. office by Jan. 15. makers and the media. JACL Members JACL's seven districts are guaranteed two The conference is sponsored by State Farm Call the JACL Health Benefits Administrators slots for the conference. Each year, chapter Insurance with help from JACL chapters and at representatives submit applications to the dis• districts .• 1.800.400.6633 trict governors who are in charge of the selec• or visit www.jaclhealth.org ~ja.~~~r. tion process for their districts. District repre- On the Web: www.jacl.org CIU:l!:f'i..ug:;~ 14 OCT. 16-NOV. 5, 2009 CALENDAR PACIFIC II CmzEN Southern Calif. ~ ...... ' ...... j Riverside JACL's General · . Membership Meeting ·: .: · . RIVERSIDE, CA ·: .: :· .: A NATIONAL GUIDE TO NOTABLE COMMUNITY EVENTS* Sat. Oct. 17, 12 noon · . Riverside Metropolitan Museum ·: .: ·: .: 3580 Mission Inn Ave. · . · . The annual general membership ·: .: ·: .: Meeting will include a tour of the · . 'Reading the Walls - The Struggle :· .: ·: .: of the Haradas, a Japanese · . · . American Family' exhibit. A compli• mentary lunch will be provided . For info and to RSVP: Michiko ! i Yoshimura, 951/784-7057 or Irene Ogata, [email protected] The First Leadership Conference: 'Strength, Connect & Strategies for Success' : ; I GARDEN GROVE, CA 'Songs For a New World' · Thurs. Oct. 22, 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m. world will appear together for the first · Education Center for their 20th gala : Embassy Suites Hotel ID time) celebrating their unique contri• dinner honoring Nisei veterans. LOS ANGELES, CA · 11767 Harbor Blvd., •• butions to the intemational jazz For info: 310/222-5710, Oct. 16-25 Garden Grove, CA scene. Headliners include Hiromi, [email protected], Fri. & Sat., 8 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. 92840 Charmaine Clamor, Prelude, Mon www.GoForBroke.org/EOA National Center for the Preservation of Democracy The Asian American Business David. 111 N. Central Ave. Women Association invites you to its For ticketing and info: Arizona first leadership conference. The www.asianamericanjazzfestival.com Yes, and ... Productions presents a musical by Jason Robert keynote speaker is Holly Fujie, presi• Arizona JACL 75th Brown and directed by Peter J. KIlO. Songs For a New World is dent of the State Bar of California Milleta, Takei to Host Personal Anniversary Celebration about one moment - or rather, isolated moments in the lives of and a partner at Buchalter Nemer in Dialogue PHOENIX,AZ LOS ANGfLES, CA many characters - in a variety of eras. Los Angeles. Nov. 8, 1 p.m. Sat., Oct. 24, 2 p.m. Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel Tickets are $35 for opening night, $25 general, and $20 for For infolto register online: mil I www.aabwa.org or Kim-Yen Huynh, Japanese American The Arizona JACL invites you to join students, seniors, JANM members and groups of 10+. I 714/791-8202. National Museum them in celebrating their 75th I 369 East First Street, anniversary. National JACL President For tickets: I Breaking the Bow: The 1st Los Angeles, CA 90012 Larry Oda will be speaking. www.BrownPaperTickets.cOlI1178295 or 800/838-3006 j Annual Independent Asian JA public figures Norman Mineta and $30/person. For info: www.YesAndProductions.blogspot.com I Pacific Islander Performing George Takei will talk about their For info: Masako Takiguchi, Artists and Writers Festival lives prior to World War II at a Oct. • 602/956-3150, or Ted Namba, . SANTA MONICA, CA 24 fund raiser hosted by Los Angeles' [email protected] • East Sat., Oct. 24, 1-5:30 p.m. , Oct. 22·25 Japanese American Museum. Takei, :c: -.,~ •~ ,.... ~' .•..:t.~~ .~ ..~:~,_:t ..~.,!,::.~.~:~.:t .•,.~,!,: •. :t:,.~, 4 ,!': ,~, ~ .• -.!,: ... .. " ...... -: EI Cerrito Community Center : Miles Memorial Playhouse is best known as Hikaru Sulu from ~. Ad rtl : . 2009 APAICS Golf Classic i ~I~:. 7007 Moeser Lane, EI Cerrito, : 1130 Lincoln Blvd., "Star Trek." Mineta is the former U.S. .; •., '..••.• ye se: MARYLAND 1 ~~.'. :ill~>' __ '"::' __ .. ' Help support the new Senior Center I Santa Monica, CA 90403 secretary of transportation. Mon., Oct. 19 :I!~ ~:~~is a·fr:ee limited Building Fund and take part in this i The Pacific Asian American Women For info: 213/830-5669 or The Courses at Andrews AFB event which features workshops, Writers West, Mavericks of Asian www.jamn.org. tF' :~ : ~~:::: The Asian Pacific American Institute i food seminars, demonstrations, Pacific Islander Descent and Ken ;r . at = For Congressional Studies (APAICS) guest performances, food and craft Choy present a festival to include 20th Anniversary of invites you to join them for a day of : Dontt see our event here? booths. i screenings, readings and perform• 'Evening of Aloha' golf, breakfast and awards Fin~ r~ how ' to $15/general admission and $5/chil• ances. ANAHEIM, CA · i get a luncheon/reception. ~ ~SPOTUGHT dren under 12. For info: Ken Choy 866/841-9139 Sat., Nov. 14 · .... For info and sponsor packages: ~. ';( listing • For info: x4123, [email protected] - 4 p.m. - registration & silent auction Helen Ruggiero, [email protected] or [email protected], 6 p.m. - dinner · ~ Contact the p.e.: www.apaics.org 510/621-8085 · The. First Asian American Jazz Hilton Anaheim ; .(P) 966-6157 : Festival 777 Convention Way, Midwest Central Calif. ; LOS ANGELES, CA Anaheim, CA 92802 ~citizen.org ,,··~'¥;~~. ¥~ ~,. ~ i Oct. 30·Nov. 1 Join the Go For Broke National 'i'h+;''' ..Ti'·'· ... ¥-. • iii ...... ,. .. -: Health Screening Day CCQC Installation Banquet ; Cafe Metropol Oct.30-31 CHICAGO,IL 'Honoring the Camps' : 923 E. 3rd Street, LA, 90013 Sat., Oct. 24 REVERSE MORTGAGE FRESNO,CA : JANM Nov. 1 9 a.m. -12 noon .f.IT~ iJ~lonl1afioll Sat., Nov. 14 369 E. First Street, LA, 90012 Call for a package 4427 N. Clark Street, Cocktails 5-6 p.m., Dinner 6 p.m. Asian jazz artists from around the Chicago, IL 60640 The CCDC invites you to their 60th If you are 62 or older and own your house, The Japanese American Service annual installation dinner with guest SOUP TO SUSHI a Reverse Mortgage may benefit you,. Committee will be offering discounted speaker, Lane Hirabayashi. (a special collection of flMlrite recipes) health screenings for anyone over $40 to attend. • Tum Home Equity into Tax Free Cash • You keep title to your home . "' .. age 18. To make an appointment, call Send checks payable to 'CCDC' to 773/275-0097 x226 (Kay) or x229 New Deluxe 3-Ring • No Monthly Mortgage Payments .. Marcia Chung, 6522 N. Gentry Ave., ! (Sharon) Binder Cookbook With • Safe FHA Program Designed for Seniors Fresno, CA 93711 Over 750 Recipes "[ pledge to provide excellent customer service ~ iN; il-m For info: contact Marcia Chung, with the highest standard of ethics" • tej;; rn 559/273-0397, $25 (plus $5.50 handling) 25+ Years Experience as a Financial Professional [email protected] .Sakura Kai's 'Celebrating Wesley United Methodist Women David C. Miyagawa Chee Generations' 566 N. 5th Street Certified Public Accountant 1-800-967-3575 EL CERRITO, CA San Jose, CA 95112 CA Dept. of Real Estate - Real Estate Broker #01391106 PACIFIC ill CmZEN OBITUARIES/NATIONAL ocr. 16-NOV. 5, 2009 15 IN MEMORIAM CONN!E KING 1923-2009 All locations are in California except as noted. Locke's 'Mom' and 'Mayor' Fought Anti-Asian Land Laws By Pacific Citizen Staff Hotta, Gina, 56 Matsushita Fukukai, Kimi, 88 Sept. 28, Berkeley, CA. An award- . Sept. 30, Spokane, WA. Born in Connie King, the honorary mayor winning documentary I?roducer and Idaho falls, ID. Wife of George, sis• of a historic Chinese American set• executive producer of Apex Express, ter of Kats, Kolie and Tom. tlement near Sacramento, who for hosted on Berkeley-based radio sta• decades fought to reverse racist tion KPFA. She is survived by her Morishita, Rev. Jiro James, 48 California's Alien Land La~s, died husband Michael Yoshida. of natural causes Sept. 25, according Aug. 30, Los Angeles, CA. He was to family members. She was 86. head minister of Tenrikyo King was known as a leader in the Kamiya, Gentoku, 88 Brotherhood Church since 1996. Also San, Joaquin-Delta town of Locke, Sept. 23, Kekaha, HI. Retired Kekaha served as general manager of the PHOTO: RON CHAN which was settled by Chinese immi• Elementary School custodian. Tenri Judo Dojo in L.A. Survived by grants in 1915. Residents who were Connie King was known as a leader of the San Joaquin-Delta town of Locke. Survived by wife, Kay, son, Dennis, his wife, Kay, children Raymond, forbidden by state law from owning daughters, Doris Arakaki, Lorraine Amy, Aya, father and 8 siblings. property, built restaurants, schools but King stayed and in 2004 officially Sacramento County Locke Kato, Jean Schnackenberg, Joy and gambling halls. signed the deed to her home. After the Community Advisory Committee. Viquelia; 12 g.c.; 2 g.g.c. Morita, Shigemi, 93 In its heyday, Locke was also signing, King raised her hands in the air Locke was listed on the National Sept. 8, Los Angel~s, CA. She is sur• home to Japanese American, . and said, ''We finally got our land! We Register of Historic Places in 1CJ71 and Maruyama, Masaye, 89 vived by her daughter Arlene (Jerry) Filipino Americans, and Hawaiian . finally got our land!" designated a National Historic Sept. 17, Renton, WA. A long-time Tanaka, 2 g.c. families. The town's museum is built "Connie was not only Locke's Landmark District in 1990. resident of West L.A. She is survived in an old boarding house - the orig• 'mom' and 'mayor,' but a true warrior. ''Locke may be a National Historic by children John, Sherry (Hiroshi) Murakami, Setsuko, 92 inal home of Sam Kuramoto and his A feminist before it became fashion• Landmark. But Connie is a national Mishina, Rick (Patty M. Dryer). family. / able and a civil rights leader," said Dr. treasure, for Asian America and the Sept. 12, Seal Beach, CA. She is Residents eventually moved away, Christina Fa, a fonner chair of the U.S.," said Fa.• survived by son, Richard (Chico), Matsui, Yeiki, 89 daughter, JoAnn (Dick) Asari, daugh• --- .....- Sept. 13, Altadena, CA. An Army vet• ter-in-Iaw, Wendy (deceased son, eran. He is survived by sons, Dr. Gary); 7 g.c.; 4 g.g.c. L.A. Mid.dle School Named After Young Oak Kim Thomas Kenneth, Mark Masaru (Kenna) Matsui. Nakagawa, Sam Isamu, 81 Sept. 23, Fresno, CA. He is survived Matsumoto, Matsuye "June", 94 by his wife Barbara, son, Stanley Sept. 6, Encir:litas, CA. She is sur• (Wendy) Nakagawa, daughters, vived by her son, Harold Kazuo JoAnn Heizenrader, Julie (Mike) (Mineko), daughter, Doris Matsumoto Nomura, Carol (Samuel) Alarcon; 7 Davis; 4 g.c., 6 g.g.c., 2 g.g.g.c. g.c. Matsumoto, Takashi, 88 Nakanishi, Eva Miyoko, 88 Sept. 10, La Mirada, CA. He is sur• Sept. 4, Irvine, CA. She is survived vived by his wife, Yaye, daughters, by her sons, Dr. Mike (Margaret), Dr. Gale (Lloyd) Kurosaki, Anne (Terry) Don (Marsha); 5 g.c.; 3 g.g.c. Komatsu, Jean (John) Schulz; 7 g.c. 2 g.g.c. Nishimoto, Fumiko, 93 Sept. 11, Los Angeles, CA. She is survived by daughters, Ruby (Kinjiro) 'In Memoriam' appears on a limited, Watanabe, Margaret (Shuji) Iwanaga, space-available basis at no cost. Helen (Lee) Shenkman; 8 g.c.; 12 Go For Broke veterans, volunteers and staff members celebrate the dedication of the Young Oak Kim Academy. g.g.c. 'Tributes,' which appear in a timely maliner at the request of the family or funeral director, are published at the Ryono, Takeshi, 82 Kim was a WWII and was a WWII and Korean War hero. Regimental Combat Team and rate of $20 per column inch. Text is Sept. 3, Sun City, CA. He is survived Korean War hero who Re became the first Asian Pacific Military Intelligence Service, Kim reworded as necessary. by his loving wife, Chika, daughter became the first APA Anny American to be commissioned as a worked to build the Go For Broke For info: [email protected]. Pamela, sister Kazuyo Fujimoto .• officer. U.S. Anny officer during WWII and Monument in Los Angeles'· Little to , JACl Credit Union offers incredible Home Equ,'ty Loan rates The University of California. Berkeley will honor Japanese American students whose attendance at UC Berkeley in 1942 was disrupted by EXECUTIVE ORDER 9066 Honorary degrees will be presented to former students or a fam ily representative. December Commencement Exercises Sunday, December 13,2009 UC Berkeley Campus' (800 ) 544·8828 • www.jaclcu.com Former students and their families are asked to contact the University to receive an invitation. National JACL Please call 510.643.6493 or e-mail Credit Union hwd@ber~eley.edu* . Priority·Banking. Every banking relationship should be this personal. You deserve to be rewarded for your success, which is why we created Priority Banking0: With Priority Banking you'll experience the one-eo-one attention of your own personal banker. A dedicate.d professional wI"¥' will work with you to underjifand your personal and business goals, YQu'U also enjoy a wide range ofaxdusillE! benefits and complimentary banking services . . Call today to set up an appointment with your personal banker. 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