[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 41 (Thursday, March 17, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E524]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    TRIBUTE TO THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY OF CHAMBERSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA

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                           HON. BILL SHUSTER

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 17, 2011

  Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the people of the 
City of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. They well deserve recognition for 
their generous and humane extension of a helping hand to their sister 
city, Gotemba, Japan.
  Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those in Japan who are coping 
with the aftermath of a truly tragic disaster. We stand in support of 
our friends and allies in Japan who are doing everything they can to 
recover from the devastating earthquake and tsunami.
  In my district, the Mayor of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, Pete 
Lagiovane, announced this week that his city will offer assistance to 
their sister city in the wake of the earthquake and tsunami that has 
devastated Japan. While fortunately the people of Gotemba were not as 
severely impacted as those in the northeast part of Japan, they are 
dealing with heavy hearts for their friends, families, and countrymen 
as well as serious disruptions to their power supply and transportation 
system.
  Mayor Lagiovane has offered assistance in a joint effort to assist 
Gotemba in providing relief to the victims of the earthquake and 
tsunami. He put forward the idea of starting a local relief fund with 
the proceeds going to Gotemba to disburse as they see fit.
  Chambersburg and Gotemba have been sister cities for 50 years. Their 
relationship started when a Japanese student at Penn Hall and Wilson 
College returned home after World War II. The student wanted to 
maintain a bond with Chambersburg, so she and her son came back and 
conducted several meetings with the city council and established a 
sister city relationship in 1960. The two cities have exchanged visits 
every 5 years since then.
  The spirit of sisterhood and love between these two cities--separated 
by thousands of miles and a vast ocean--encapsulate the attitude we 
should all have toward our fellow man. I commend Chambersburg for their 
selfless attitude and generosity.

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