[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 103 (Thursday, July 22, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1512-E1513]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                MEMORIALIZING ROBERT MASAHIRO YOSHIKAWA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL M. HONDA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 22, 2004

  Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and 
contributions of Mr. Robert Masahiro Yoshikawa who recently passed 
away. He was a pillar of the community and a personal friend of mine. 
Mr. Yoshikawa made an immeasurable impact on all those around him 
through his career, his volunteer work, and his devotion to family. His 
tireless efforts improved the lives of countless people in his 
community.
  I met Robert Yoshikawa many years ago when we were both students at 
San Jose State University. From that moment on, he continually amazed 
me with his unwavering selflessness and his extraordinary dedication to 
the community. Throughout his life, he consistently put others before 
himself through volunteering and his active involvement with his 
church, his family activities, and his neighborhood.
  For those who are unfamiliar with Mr. Yoshikawa's life, I would like 
to take a moment to highlight some of his extraordinary contributions. 
In addition to serving as President of the San Jose Buddhist Church 
Betsuin, Bob served on the board of directors of both the SJBC and Fuji 
Towers and played an integral part on many committees. Mr. Yoshikawa 
served as past chairman of the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin 
Ministerial Affairs and Obon Committees, as well as being a charter 
member and current president of the Young Japanese Adults. In 2002, 
Robert was presented with the Volunteer Recognition Award by the Junior 
League of San Jose.
  In addition to his extensive volunteer work, Mr. Yoshikawa was a 
wonderful husband to his wife Phyllis and father to his sons, Mark and 
Scott. He served as an ideal role model for his sons, teaching them 
right from wrong, imparting to them a spirit of service, and making 
time to involve himself in their lives and activities. He could often 
be seen videotaping his sons' football games or driving them to various 
Boy Scouts, sporting or church activities in his Chevy Suburban. He 
would constantly guide his sons with sage advice from his experience 
and the experiences of his own father. He was a man of strong 
conviction, who stood behind his decisions without wavering.
  Robert Yoshikawa, a second generation American, was born in 
Newcastle, California in 1940. Upon graduating from high school, he 
attended Sierra Junior College before matriculating on to San Jose 
State where he received a degree in mechanical engineering and met his 
future wife, Phyllis Osaki. The couple first lived in an apartment in 
Sunnyvale, but spent the past 37 years in the house in San Jose that 
they watched being built. It was there they raised their two boys. 
Robert worked at Lockheed Martin until his retirement in 2003. At 
Lockheed, Robert's robust engineering skills and attention to detail 
were instrumental in the success of several important projects. He was 
praised for being accurate and efficient, and his remarkable patience 
and experience made him a valuable mentor to the younger engineers at 
Lockheed.
  Upon retiring from his job at Lockheed Martin after 40 years, Mr. 
Yoshikawa embarked on yet another chapter in his full life. Though he 
and Phyllis had already traveled the globe, he had even more trips 
planned and was enjoying his return to improving his golf game with 
other retired friends. Always wanting to be useful, he also agreed to 
volunteer at the Japanese American Museum of San Jose as just one more 
in his myriad of community services. It was on March 24, while 
volunteering at the museum, that Mr. Yoshikawa died of a heart attack. 
Since he was in apparent excellent health, his passing came as quite a 
shock to all who knew him.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mourn the loss of a friend and a role 
model. I knew Robert for 40 years and he was as inspirational to me the 
last time I saw him, as he was when we first met. I know that the 
people of the Bay Area appreciate everything that this wonderful man 
has done for them and I feel privileged for having known him.

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