JACL Newsletter Diablo Valley

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MINORITY MEMBERS: Ranking Minority Member Hamilton Fish, Jr., NY; Carlos J.
Moorhead, CA; Henry J. Hyde, IL; Jim Sensenbrenner, Jr., WI; Bill McCollum,
George W. Gekas, PA; Howard Coble, NC; Lamar Smith, TX; Craig T. James, FL;
Tom Campbell, CA; Steven H. Schiff, NM; Jim Ramstad, MN; George Allen, VA.
FL;
- VETERANS' BENEFITS & REDRESS PAYMENTS -
It has come to the attention of National JACL that several Nikkei veterans have
had their pension benefits terminated by the Veterans Administration (VA) because
of redress payments.  In one case, a widow's pension was not only terminated, but
she was subsequently advised that she owed the VA nearly $1,000 in benefit overpayment.
The Office of Redress Administration has been made aware of this problem and ihey
have asked for a policy clarification from the VA in Washington DC. Also, Congressmen Robert Matsui and Norman Mineta have been alerted to this problem and they have
sent letters of protest to the VA.  In addition, the JACL is currently appealing the
case of one veteran.
The Civil Liberties Act of 1988 clearly exempts redress payments (does not count as
income) for purposes of determing eligibility for many federally assisted health and
housing benefits, including veterans' benefits.  This exemption is contained in
Section 105(f)(2) of the Act which states that amounts paid to an elegible individual
"(2) shall not be included as income or resource for purposes of determining eligibility to receive benefits described in section 3803(c)(2)(C) of title 31, United
States Code, or the amount of such benefits." This provision includes Chapters 11,
13, 15, 17 and 21 of title 38, Veterans' Benefits.
As far as National JACL is aware, the veterans who received letters from their local
VA offices informing them of their termination of benefits ALL RESIDE IN CALIFORNIA.
THERE IS CONCERN THAT THERE MAY BE OTHER VETERANS WHO HAVE LOST THEIR BENEFITS WITHOUT QUESTIONING THE ACTION TAKEN.  Many veterans depend on these pension payments,
so there is a sense of urgency in immediately appealing these cases, and National
JACL is prepared to help.
If you have any questions, or know of anyone needing assistance, please contact:
Joy Morimoto, Public Information Officer  (415) 921-5225
JACL National Headquarters, 1765 Sutter Street, San Francisco 94115
DIABLO VALLEY JACL NEWSLETTER
1874 Meadow Lane, W.C 94595
Published monthly except Dec. & July
Ads: $50 per year; $36 half year
Board meets first Thurs. of month
7:30 pm; Conference Room
Pleasant Hill City Hall
100 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill
Membership dues:  Single $40
Couples $70; 1000 Club $60;
Century Club $120; Spouse of 1000,
Century & Life $32; Life Trust
$500; Chapter Dues for Life Member
$5; Affiliate $5; Student (college to
age 23)$11; Youth (high school &
younger)$2.50. Membership (except
Youth & Student) includes weekly
subscription to Pacific Citizen.
HAYAMA
JAPANESE CUISINE & SUSHI BAR
STONE VALLEY SHOPPING CENTER
3160 E.DANVILLE BLVD.
ALAMO. CA 94507       TEL (510) 838-7244
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
May 1   Theater -"A Little Night Music"
WC Regional Ctr for Arts
May 3 District Council Meeting
May 7   Chapter Board Meeting, PH City
Hall 7:30PM
May 8   Bridge at PH City Hall 7:30PM
May 9   NCWN-PD Women's Concerns Comm.
Program (a skit) "Effect of
Camp Life on the Family" 1-4PM
Christ United Presbyterian Ch.
Sutter St. S.F.
May 9   Asian Pacific American Heritage
Month "Thousand Pieces of Gold"
6:45PM reception at Diablo
Valley College
May 22/25Tule Lake Reunion IV, Sacto.CA
June 5  JASEB Bingo -Chapter participation
June 28 Joint Annual Picnic with Berkeley
and Contra Costa Chapters at
Pleasant Hill rartc
July 4  Mex. Amer. July 4 Festival. Need
about 40 volunteers to man
Beer Booth