[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 25 (Thursday, February 14, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1051-S1052]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                        COMMENDING ESTHER G. KEE

 Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, it is a privilege for me to honor 
Mrs. Esther G. Kee who is retiring as president of the United States-
Asia Institute which she cofounded with the late Joji Konoshima in 
1979, with the encouragement and support of then-President Jimmy 
Carter.
  The objectives of the United States-Asia Institute are to promote 
better understanding between the United States and Asia, to conduct 
work and educational visits to Asia for Members of Congress and their 
staff, to maintain close ties with Asian diplomatic missions, to 
organize international and

[[Page S1052]]

conferences and symposiums in the U.S. and Asia on political, economic, 
and security topics, and to host small, off-the-record meetings of 
American and Asian officials, businessmen and academic leaders 
providing a venue for free and open discussions and exchange of views.
  Under Mrs. Kee's stewardship, the institute has successfully met its 
objectives, and I am confident that it will continue to do so under the 
tutelage of her successor. One of Mrs. Kee's most successful 
initiatives has been staff codels which she has organized and led. As 
an example, there were 70 staff codels with 800 senior congressional 
staff that traveled to China to meet and discuss issues with high 
government officials. This has facilitated mutual understanding, a core 
objective, and people-to-people diplomacy the benefits of which will 
continue to inure to our mutual benefit.
  As Mrs. Kee retires from active leadership of the United States-Asia 
Institute, I have every confidence that she will continue to be active 
in the institute and United States-Asia relations as a valued adviser. 
On a personal level, I look forward to her continued counsel and 
advice.
  Mahalo nui loa--thank you very much--Esther G. Kee, for all that you 
have done on behalf of our country in its continuing and important 
mission of promoting better understanding between the United States and 
Asia.

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