[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 35 (Monday, March 27, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S1744]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        THE SAGINAW COMMISSION ON AGING HONORS MS. YOKO MOSSNER

 Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, on March 31, 2000, the Saginaw 
County Commission on Aging will hold a luncheon honoring four women who 
have selflessly dedicated a significant amount of their time and their 
energy to improving the community of Saginaw, Michigan. Their 
tremendous efforts over the years have not only touched a great many 
lives, they have truly changed lives, whether by providing those in 
need with food and clothing, saving seniors hundreds of dollars in 
medical insurance payments, mentoring elementary school students, or 
helping people to understand and accept a culture different from their 
own. Thus, I rise today on behalf not only of myself, but also of the 
entire Saginaw County, Michigan, community, to sincerely thank Ms. 
Hazel Wilson, Ms. Mary Flannery, Ms. Sue Kaltenbach, and Ms. Yoko 
Mossner for their incredible efforts.
  During the forty-three years that she has lived in Saginaw County, 
Ms. Yoko Mossner has become involved with numerous organizations. She 
served as president and treasurer of People to People Chapter Seven, 
was a member of the Board of Trustees of People to People 
International, and has also held various leadership roles in the 
Saginaw's Culture Club, the Women's National Farm and Garden 
Association, the Saginaw County Lawyers' Auxiliary, and the Valparaiso 
University Guild. She is a former member of the Saginaw Zonta Club, and 
is currently a member of the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.
  More importantly, Ms. Mossner has played a leading role in finding 
Japanese culture a place in Saginaw County. For the last six years, she 
has served as volunteer director for the Japanese Cultural Center and 
Tea House, a project that was made possible by her efforts as a member 
of the Board of Trustrees of the Saginaw County Building Fund 
Committee. She also serves as Special Envoy and Liaison Officer from 
Saginaw to its Sister City, Tokushima, Japan. Undoubtedly, her efforts 
in this regard have played a significant role in expanding the cultural 
awareness of an entire community.
  Perhaps the most remarkable thing about Ms. Mossner is that she has 
managed to do all of this while placing her primary focus upon raising 
her own three children. Mr. President, on behalf of the entire United 
States Senate, I applaud Ms. Mossner for her dedication to expanding 
the cultural knowledge in Michigan. I am sure that the effects of her 
work are immeasurable.

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