[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 65 (Tuesday, May 4, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E741]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        RECOGNIZING IWAO MATSUDA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. THOMAS E. PETRI

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 4, 2010

  Mr. PETRI. Madam Speaker, later this week, the 43rd Session of the 
United States-Japan Legislative Exchange Program and the 11th Session 
of the United States-Japan-South Korea Trilateral Exchange Program will 
commence here in the U.S. Capitol. These meetings are the result of the 
vision and initiative of Iwao Matsuda, a Member of the House of 
Councilors of the Japanese Diet. Sadly, it also will be the last that 
we will have the privilege of meeting with Mr. Matsuda as a Member of 
the Diet, as he will be retiring. For this reason, I want to honor Mr. 
Matsuda and officially recognize his many contributions to United 
States-Japan relations and for fostering greater friendship and 
cooperation between the U.S. Congress and the Japanese Diet.
  Born in Gifu-City, Japan, in 1937, Mr. Matsuda graduated from the 
University of Tokyo in 1967. He started his career in public service at 
the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) with posting in 
various locations around the world--including the United States. He 
served in the House of Representatives of the Japanese Diet from 1986 
to 1996 and was elected to the House of Councilors in 1998. Throughout 
his public service career, he has served in a variety of distinguished 
positions, such as the Minister of State for Science and Technology 
Policy, Food Safety and Information Technology.
  Early in his career in the Diet, Mr. Matsuda saw the need for more 
open communications between the U.S. and Japan. During that time, when 
Japan-U.S. relations could be tense regarding trade and other issues, 
Mr. Matsuda knew that personal interaction between Members of Congress 
and Members of the Diet could lead to greater understanding and 
cooperation between our two countries. In 1989, along with Rep. Norm 
Shumway and with assistance from professors at George Washington 
University and others, the first meeting of the United States-Japan 
Legislative Exchange Program was held. Semi-annual meetings have been 
held since and, in 2003, the exchange was expanded to include Members 
of the South Korean National Assembly.
  I have had the privilege of participating in many meetings over the 
years, and consider Mr. Matsuda to be a colleague and a friend. He is 
an example to all of us in his leadership, commitment to democratic 
values, and understanding of the importance of maintaining alliances 
with friends in good times and bad. Through his resolve in establishing 
the exchange, we are able to discuss issues of common concern in an 
open, informal way that leads to better understanding and stronger 
partnerships.
  So it is altogether fitting that we recognize the many contributions 
of Iwao Matsuda as his final exchange program begins. He has had a 
lasting impact on United States-Japan-South Korean relations, and we 
are thankful for--and honor--his leadership, service and friendship 
today.

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