[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 94 (Wednesday, June 20, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1095]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       A TRIBUTE IN HONOR OF THE LIFE OF NANCY TAKAHASHI HATAMIYA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ANNA G. ESHOO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 20, 2012

  Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the tragically 
abbreviated life of an extraordinary woman, Nancy Takahashi Hatamiya, 
who passed on May 15, 2012, at the age of 52. She was a woman of 
integrity, a great professional, a passionate advocate for human 
rights, a true and loyal friend, an exceptional mother and a devoted 
wife. She will be missed by everyone who was privileged to know her, 
and I count myself among those so blessed.
  Nancy Hatamiya was born in Rome, Italy, lived in Pakistan as a child, 
attended elementary and junior high school in Washington, D.C., and 
graduated from the Jakarta International School before attending 
Stanford University, where she studied architecture and urban design. 
She became a Coro Foundation Fellow and it was from Coro that she was 
assigned to my 1982 campaign for the San Mateo County Board of 
Supervisors as an aide. After winning the election, Nancy served as my 
capable Administrative Assistant for four years. She went on to serve 
as an advisor to President Clinton, Vice President Gore, Defense 
Secretary William Cohen, and Assemblyman John Vasconcellos. She was a 
senior advisor at Manatt, Phelps and Phillips, and with her husband 
Lon, formed the Hatamiya Group, an economic, strategic and 
communications firm. She proudly served as a member of the Board of 
Directors of the California Council for the Humanities for nine years 
and as the Board's Chair. Her accomplishments were many, and her career 
was a most distinguished one.
  The center of Nancy's life was her family. She adored her sons, Jon 
and George, and reveled in all of their activities. She was their most 
ardent supporter and biggest booster. She had a team of her own. From 
bands to baseball, she was there for them. Just days after Nancy died, 
her son George played in a baseball game at Sacramento City College. He 
said,

       `Something allows us to fight adversity. My Mom loved 
     watching us play. We were her team. She was a role model for 
     so many, especially to my older brother (Jon) and me. She 
     talked about education, music, sports. She wanted the best 
     for us.'

  Just a week before she died, Nancy wrote the following words:

       I am convinced that it is the white, healing light, healing 
     thoughts, and prayers that are keeping me uplifted. I feel my 
     role is to appreciate every moment in response to the 
     universal support you are giving me. [. . .] Every visit 
     literally helps save my life and there is nothing more 
     precious than being alive!

  Mr. Speaker, I ask the entire House of Representatives to join me in 
extending our deepest sympathy to Nancy Hatamiya's beloved husband Lon, 
her sons Jon and George, her sister Tina Takahashi, her brother Joseph 
Takahashi, and to all those who were part of her large community of 
friends. Nancy's life is one of an accomplished, exceptional citizen. 
Her passion for public service, her abiding devotion to her community, 
her love of our country and her service to it, have inspired everyone 
who knew her. She deepened our patriotism, and made us better 
individuals because of her shining example of a life lived exceedingly 
well.

                          ____________________