[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 13 (Thursday, January 22, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E123-E124]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   A TRIBUTE TO RIMBAN GEORGE T. MATSUBAYASHI ON THE OCCASION OF HIS 
RETIREMENT FROM THE BUDDHIST CHURCHES OF AMERICA AFTER NEARLY 50 YEARS 
                               OF SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 22, 2009

  Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Rimban 
George T. Matsubayashi. After almost 50 years of serving as a minister 
for the Buddhist Churches of America, including more than nine years as 
head priest of the Los Angeles Honpa Hongwanji Buddhist Temple in 
Downtown Los Angeles in the 34th District, Reverend Matsubayashi will 
retire on January 31, 2009.
  Rev. Matsubayashi, who is also fondly known as Rev. George or 
Matsubayashi-sensei, graduated Summa Cum Laude from Ryukoku University 
in Kyoto, Japan in 1960. Later that year, he began his ministerial 
service in the Jodo Shinshu tradition of Buddhism in the United States 
at the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii at the Honolulu Betsuin 
Buddhist Temple. While in Hawaii, Rev. George studied at the English 
Language Institute at the University of Hawaii. In 1963, he enrolled in 
the doctoral studies program at the University of Wisconsin. In 1964, 
he transferred to the PhD program in the Department of Oriental 
Languages at the University of California, Los Angeles.
  In 1965, Matsubayashi-sensei was appointed to the Venice Hongwanji 
Buddhist Temple in Los Angeles. When the temple became independent in 
1976, Rev. George served as its first resident minister. He remained 
there until 1999. During his 34 years at Venice Hongwanji, Rev. George 
was active in a wide variety of community organizations. He served on 
the board of United Way's Western Region. He was a member of the Clergy 
Council for the Pacific Division of the Los Angeles Police Department. 
He also gave his time as a Reserve Chaplain for LAPD's Central and 
Pacific divisions.
  In 1999, Rev. George was appointed as the Rimban, or head priest, of 
the Los Angeles Honpa Hongwanji Buddhist Temple, which is also referred 
to as ``Nishi'' to the local Japanese American community. During his 
tenure, Rev. George oversaw the 100th Anniversary of the temple in 
2005. The event featured the addition of the new Wisteria Chapel and 
the Muryo Koju-do (nokotsudo-columbarium) built to commemorate the 
temple's pioneering members and to continue the proud legacy of the 
Issei--first generation Japanese Americans--for future generations.
  Since joining the Los Angeles Honpa Hongwanji Buddhist Temple, Rev. 
George's community involvement extended well beyond the church's walls. 
He serves on the Little Tokyo Coordinating Council, the Los Angeles 
Buddhist Federation and as a volunteer chaplain at several hospitals on 
the west side of Los Angeles.

[[Page E124]]

  In addition to his spiritual and community work, Rev. George is also 
a devoted husband, father and grandfather. Rev. George and his wife, 
Kiyoko ``Kay'' Matsubayashi, have four children: Craig and his wife, 
Raquel; Dean and his wife, Kim; Tina and her husband, Howard; and Erik 
and his wife, Cindy. They are also the proud grandparents of Jared, 
Lindsay, Chase and Emma.
  Madam Speaker, on the occasion of Rev. George's retirement, I ask my 
congressional colleagues to please join his dutiful congregation, his 
family and me in thanking him for his many years of service to the 
Buddhist Churches of America and our community. While we wish him well 
in this new phase of his life, Rev. George will always be Sensei, or 
teacher, in the hearts and minds of the generations of families whom he 
has touched during his many years of ministerial service.

                          ____________________