[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 112 (Friday, July 25, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1610]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO RINBAN KOSHO YUKAWA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ROBERT T. MATSUI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 24, 2003

  Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise in tribute to Rinban Kosho Yukawa. 
Rinban of the Sacramento Betsuin is one of Sacramento's greatest 
citizen leaders. Rinban Kosho is retiring after forty-two years of 
wonderful service as an ambassador and teacher of Buddhism; Rinban 
Kosho will be retiring on August 31, 2003. As his friends and family 
gather to celebrate Rinban Kosho's numerous achievements, I ask all of 
my colleagues to join with me in saluting one of Sacramento's most 
respected and honorable citizens.
  Rinban Kosho comes from a long line of Buddhist ministers of the Jodo 
Shinshu sect. A prominent branch in Japan and the faith embraced by the 
Buddhist Churches of America. Rinban Kosho's family has maintained a 
temple for about 250 years. Rinban Kosho's parents had immigrated to 
the United States, and he was born in Tacoma, Washington as the 
Depression started. In 1940, Rinban Kosho and his family moved to 
Japan, where they stayed until 1949. At the encouragement of his 
father, Rinban Kosho returned to San Francisco on his own to finish 
high school and junior college.
  Rinban Kosho joined the U.S. Army and worked as an interrogator 
during the Korean War. Rinban Kosho's experience during the war 
affected him deeply, leading him to pursue a career in the ministry. 
After completing a seminary program in Japan, Rinban Kosho was ordained 
and assigned to the Sacramento church in 1961. During his first decade 
of service in Sacramento, Rinban Kosho served as a youth minister at a 
time when the baby boom was at its peak. At one time, Rinban Kosho had 
about 650 children enrolled in the Dharma School.
  After his stint in Sacramento, Rinban Kosho worked at churches in 
Union City and San Jose before taking a five-year hiatus from the 
ministry to work in his brother's publishing business. The call to 
serve came back when Rinban Kosho was assigned to the Tacoma Buddhist 
Temple where his father had served.
  In 1996 Rinban Kosho returned to the Buddhist Church of Sacramento. 
During his tenure, Rinban Kosho successfully made the Jodo Shinshu sect 
of Buddhism relevant to third and fourth generation Japanese Americans, 
as well as to other ethnic groups. Because of his great reputation as a 
minister, mentor, teacher of the Dharma and his popularity as a caring 
friend, the Sacramento Buddhist Church has become the largest 
membership temple within the Buddhist Churches of America.
  Rinban Kosho's unparalleled success in the ministry and in the 
community truly makes him one of Sacramento's most accomplished and 
treasured citizens. His commitment to help others is a shining example 
to everyone who follows his leadership. In his retirement, Rinban Kosho 
plans to return to his native Tacoma/Seattle area with his wife, 
Michiko. The Yukawas look forward to being near and enjoying the 
company of their children and their families.
  Mr. Speaker, as Rinban Kosho friends and family gather for his 
honorary farewell banquet, I am honored to pay tribute to one of 
Sacramento's most honorable residents. His success are considerable, 
and it is great honor for me to have the opportunity to pay tribute to 
his contributions. I ask all my colleagues to join with me in wishing 
Rinban Kosho Yukawa continue success in all his future endeavors.

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