[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 13 (Wednesday, January 31, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E71]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          RECOGNIZING MR. ROBERT SAKATA OF BRIGHTON, COLORADO

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BOB SCHAFFER

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 31, 2001

  Mr. SCHAFFER. Mr. Speaker, today I recognize one of my constituents, 
Mr. Robert Sakata of Brighton, Colorado. This month, Mr. Sakata was 
awarded The Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold Rays with Rosette, by 
the emperor of Japan for Sakata's commitment to better relations 
between the United States and Japan.
  Mr. Sakata has played a major role as an American ambassador of 
goodwill. He has visited Japan to talk to corporate executives about 
American businesses, and to Japanese farmers about U.S. farming. He has 
hosted the emperor and empress of Japan at his Colorado farm. He has 
served on various agriculture boards, as well as the Japan America 
Society of Colorado.
  Such patriotism is especially remarkable given the obstacles posed to 
Mr. Sakata early in life. The son of a truck driver, Mr. Sakata was 
born in California to Japanese-American parents. During World War II, 
he was set to an interment camp in Topaz, Utah, suffering one of 
American history's greatest injustices. During that time, Mr. Sakata 
was sponsored by a Colorado resident who put him to work on a farm near 
Brighton. From that point on, farming became Mr. Sakata's life.
  After the war, Mr. Sakata began to farm for himself, with only 40 
acres purchased on borrowed money. Today, Sakata Farms spans 3,000 
acres of sweet corn, cabbage, onions and broccoli. His story is that of 
yet another American dream that came true because of hard work and 
perseverance.
  I am extremely proud of Mr. Sakata. He is an extraordinary Coloradan 
and an outstanding American. His dedication to American-Japanese 
relations has made an enduring difference, especially within our 
agricultural community. I ask the House to join me in extending 
congratulations to Mr. Sakata of Colorado.

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