[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 65 (Tuesday, May 4, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E739]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING MR. IWAO MATSUDA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JEAN SCHMIDT

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 4, 2010

  Mrs. SCHMIDT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Iwao Matsuda 
and his many contributions toward strengthening the relationship 
between the U.S., Japan, and South Korea. His efforts in establishing 
the bilateral Legislative Exchange Program between the United States 
and Japan and his efforts to expand the program to include South Korea 
have cultivated the strong bond between our countries and served to 
reinforce and uphold our common democratic values.
  Mr. Matsuda has worked tirelessly toward improving relations between 
Japan and the United States. In 1989, after becoming a member of the 
Japanese Diet he helped launch the first Legislative Exchange Program. 
Troubled by bitter trade disputes between the United States and Japan, 
his idea was to bring together Members of Congress and members of the 
Japanese Diet in an informal setting to have a candid exchange of ideas 
to address these key issues in United States-Japanese relations.
  This bi-lateral exchange has continued successfully for the last 
twenty years and was expanded in 2003 to include South Korea. The semi-
annual meeting between Members of Congress, the Japanese Diet, and the 
South Korean National Assembly continues to foster candid discussions 
and is an important component in the close alliance between our three 
countries.
  Madam Speaker, after twenty years of working to cultivate the 
relationship between the United States, Japan, and South Korea, Mr. 
Iwao Matsuda is retiring from public office. It is only appropriate 
that we take a moment to honor his service and applaud his commitment 
to the promotion of open dialogue and democratic ideals.

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