[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 176 (Tuesday, December 1, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2852]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  A TRIBUTE TO THE SACRAMENTO JAPANESE AMERICAN CITIZENS LEAGUE, THE 
 MATSUYAMA SACRAMENTO SISTER CITY CORPORATION, TERI TAKAI AND RANDELL 
                                IWASAKI

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DORIS O. MATSUI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 1, 2009

  Ms. MATSUI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the 
Sacramento Chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League, the 
Matsuyama Sacramento Sister City Corporation, Teri Takai and Randell 
Iwasaki for their contributions to California, Sacramento, and their 
leadership to Japanese-Americans across the nation.
  The Sacramento JACL was formed on October 31, 1931, after the 
Sacramento Chapter of the American Loyalty League reorganized itself to 
become the Sacramento Chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League.
  Through their programs, the Sacramento JACL is dedicated to advancing 
the civil rights of all Americans, deterring hate crimes across the 
Nation, and helping to lead the Japanese-American community for social 
and economic advancement. At their annual dinner on November 19th, they 
will honor two outstanding individuals and one fine organization, Teri 
Takai; Randell Iwasaki; and the Matsuyama Sacramento Sister City 
Corporation.
  On December 6, 2007, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger 
announced the appointment of Teri Takai as chief information officer 
for the State of California. As a member of the Governor's Cabinet, she 
advises him on the strategic management and direction of information 
technology resources as the state works to modernize and transform the 
way California does business with its residents and visitors.
  Teri also currently serves as practitioner chair of the Harvard 
Policy Group on Network-Enabled Services and Government. Before serving 
in the State government, Teri worked for Ford Motor Company for 30 
years, where she led the development of the company's information 
technology strategic plan.
  Randell Iwasaki currently serves as the director of the California 
Department of Transportation, which employs 23,000 people and has an 
operating budget of $14 billion.
  Working for CalTrans for almost 25 years, Randell spearheaded a 
number of transportation engineering innovations in California 
including the use of old tires in rubberized asphalt, the installation 
of LED red lights saving the State taxpayers more than $2 million a 
year in power costs, and the conversion of the CalTrans equipment fleet 
to clean burning fuels.
  A licensed civil engineer, Randell also serves on a number of 
national transportation panels and committees helping to develop 
transportation strategies and innovations such as pavement technology 
that reduces highway noise.
  The Matsuyama Sacramento Sister City Corporation was formed on August 
17, 1981, when then Sacramento Mayor Phil Isenberg and Mayor Tokio 
Nakamura of Matsuyama, Japan, signed the historic sister city 
agreement.
  Since 1981, various organizations from Sacramento and Matsuyama have 
formed intercontinental relationships for social and economic 
prosperity. Most notably, the Boy Scout exchange program is one of the 
Sister City's most successful programs where Scouts from Sacramento 
visit Matsuyama in even years and the Matsuyama Scouts visit Sacramento 
in odd years.
  Other than a short pause just after September 11th, the Matsuyama-
Sacramento Boy Scout exchange program has taken place each year since 
1981. Sacramento plans to send its next delegation to Matsuyama in 
2010.
  Madam Speaker, I hereby recognize and honor the Sacramento Chapter of 
the Japanese American Citizens League, and the people and organization 
they are honoring Thursday night: the Matsuyama Sacramento Sister City 
Corporation, Teri Takai and Randell Iwasaki. Their contributions to the 
people of California have been immense. I ask all my colleagues to join 
with me in wishing them continued success.

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