[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 58 (Tuesday, April 27, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E779]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   IN HONOR OF THE TENTH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF THE SISTER CITY 
                              RELATIONSHIP

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. DOUG OSE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 27, 1999

  Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the tenth 
anniversary of the establishment of the sister city relationship 
between Yuba City, CA, an agricultural community which I represent, and 
Fujishiro, located in the Ibaraki Prefecture of Japan. Over the course 
of the last ten years, this relationship has allowed for educational, 
cultural, industrial, community and governmental exchanges which have 
benefitted the residents of both cities.
  In July of 1989, a delegation from Fujishiro came to Yuba City and a 
declaration of intent to enter a sister city agreement was completed. 
Other visits ensued, culminating in a signing ceremony in Yuba City in 
November 1989. In February 1990, a Yuba City delegation traveled to 
Fujishiro for a similar joint signing. In the ensuing 10 years, there 
have been several exchange delegations of adults and students.
  Sutter County Supervisor Dennis Nelson, President of the Sister City 
Association, has encouraged the relationship with Fujishiro in order to 
provide the citizens of both cities with a better understanding of each 
other through exchanges which enhance the educational and economic 
well-being of each city.
  These exchanges have allowed hundreds of children and adults to have 
``once in a life time experiences'' and to build friendships that span 
the Pacific Ocean, contributing to peace and prosperity by transcending 
cultural diversities through realizing our similarities and 
understanding our cultural differences.
  The citizenry of Fujishiro-machi have provided vision, leadership and 
countless hours of volunteer time furthering the Sister City 
Relationship, providing significant cultural benefits not only to the 
Yuba City delegations, but also for the people of Fujishiro.
  The International Friendship Association of Fujishiro was formed by 
involved citizens, businessmen and government leaders to promote the 
newly established Sister City Relationship between the two communities. 
I rise to recognize just a few:
  Yasuo Kobayashi-san, Mayor of Fujishiro, has provided leadership 
through personal and civic involvement and pursuit to the goals of our 
Sister City Relationship. He has accompanied a number of delegations 
from Fujishiro-machi to Yuba City. His achievements in furthering the 
Sister City bond have awarded him great respect throughout the 
community in Yuba City.
  Mamoru Sakamoto-san, President of the International Friendship 
Association of Fujishiro and former President of the Fujishiro Town 
Council, is recognized for his personal and civic involvement in 
pursuit of the goals of the Sister City relationship.
  Yukio Takegasa-san, Secretary General of the International Friendship 
Association and a rice farmer, became acquainted with Sutter County as 
an exchange student and assured the success of the sister city 
relationship. Today, involved in international trade, he continues to 
frequent the Yuba City area many times a year.
  Shin Kawaguchi-san, former president of the International Friendship 
Association of Fujishiro is recognized for his personal involvement and 
relentless pursuit of the goals of our Sister City Relationship by 
being awarded the honor of ``Honorary Citizen'' of Yuba City.
  And lastly, it is fitting to pay tribute to Hisao Yoshida, the late 
mayor of Fujishiro, for his vision and leadership in the search for a 
sister city relationship. He accompanied early delegations from 
Fujishiro-machi to Yuba City to experience our lifestyle and build 
everlasting friendships.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in congratulating 
the citizens of Yuba City, CA and Fujishiro, Japan, on their tenth 
anniversary as sister cities. I extend my best wishes to both cities as 
they celebrate the happy occasion this month in Japan, and wish them 
many more years of friendship, cooperation, and cultural exchange.

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