[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 40 (Friday, March 6, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E585]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


    HONORING VICE PRESIDENT WALTER MONDALE ON HIS DECORATION BY THE 
                          GOVERNMENT OF JAPAN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 6, 2009

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize former Vice 
President Walter Mondale as he receives the Grand Cordon of the Order 
of the Paulownia Flowers from the Government of Japan. This prestigious 
decoration is the highest honor given to foreign civilians by the 
Japanese government and is being bestowed to Vice President Mondale for 
his contribution to enhancing friendship and mutual understanding 
between Japan and the United States as U.S. Ambassador to Japan from 
1993 to 1996.
  No public servant is more deserving of this honor than my friend and 
fellow Minnesotan Walter Mondale. For five decades, Minnesotans have 
supported the man they warmly call ``Fritz'' as he served as Vice 
President of the United States under President Carter, Minnesota's U.S. 
Senator from 1964 to 1976, and State Attorney General. His 
contributions in areas including education, social justice and 
international human rights have forever changed Minnesota, our nation 
and the world.
  Walter Mondale's career in public service is distinguished, however, 
not by the greatness of his titles, but by the goodness of his heart. 
He used his positions of authority to tirelessly promote cross-cultural 
understanding, economic justice and civil rights. While his 
accomplishments are many, his greatest legacy may be the model of 
principled and diligent public service that continues to inspire 
America and fill Minnesotans with quiet pride.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me and all Minnesotans in 
congratulating Vice President Mondale on this distinct and much-
deserved honor.

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