[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 106 (Friday, July 29, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1685]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          RECOGNIZING THE L.A. HOMPA HONGWANJI BUDDHIST TEMPLE

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 28, 2005

  Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Los 
Angeles Hompa Hongwanji Buddhist temple and its members as they 
celebrate their Centennial Anniversary. The temple is located in 
downtown Los Angeles in my 34th Congressional District.
  The Temple, which began in 1905 in Little Tokyo on Jackson Street and 
Central Avenue, was established due to the strong and faithful desire 
of the followers of the teachings of Buddha to have a place to 
congregate after emigrating from Japan. The Issei (first generation) 
pioneers brought with them their Japanese culture, traditions, customs, 
and their Buddhist religion.
  In 1925, a new temple was built on the corner of First and Central 
streets. The Temple, fondly called ``Nishi'' by Buddhists in Southern 
California, is currently housed in a traditional Japanese-style temple 
building on First Street in the eastern sector of Little Tokyo. Nishi 
is one of sixty temples around the United States that make up the 
Buddhist Churches of America.
  Since its inception, Nishi has continuously served its members and 
the Little Tokyo community. Even during World War II, when the Temple 
was used as an initial assembly site for many of the 120,000 Japanese 
and Japanese Americans who were evacuated from the west coast of the 
United States to internment camps, the Temple provided the evacuees a 
haven to safely store their belongings until after the war. Throughout 
their internment, Nishi ministers continued to administer to the 
faithful Buddhist members.
  Today, the Temple offers Sunday services, as well as services for 
weddings, funerals, and family memorials. Nishi also provides a 
children's day care center, and community programs for youth and 
adults, such as sports and cultural activities.
  The Centennial Anniversary Celebration commemorates the dedication 
and commitment of the Issei pioneer members that laid the foundation of 
the Temple. It also commemorates the hard work of succeeding 
generations that built the Temple as it stands today. The addition of 
the new Wisteria Chapel and the Muryo Koju-do (nokotsudo-columbarium) 
were built as a centennial project to commemorate the pioneering 
members and to continue the legacy of the Issei for future generations. 
The Dedication Service of this new addition to the Temple will be part 
of the Centennial Celebration weekend of August 27-29, 2005. Nishi 
members will also conduct a memorial service in honor of past members 
and ministers and host an evening banquet.
  I congratulate the Los Angeles Hompa Hongwanji Buddhist Temple and 
its members on reaching this historic milestone, and I join them in 
celebrating their 100th anniversary.

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