[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 118 (Friday, August 3, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1418]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      IN RECOGNITION OF THE SISTER CITY OF PLYMOUTH, MASSACHUSETTS

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                        HON. WILLIAM R. KEATING

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 2, 2012

  Mr. KEATING. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the arrival of a 
delegation from Shichigahama, Japan, in Plymouth, Massachusetts.
   This August, the Town of Plymouth will be welcoming individuals from 
its sister city, the Town of Shichigahama in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, 
for a week-long stay. This visit is particularly special to the people 
of the two towns, as it is the first opportunity that they have had to 
reconnect since the devastating earthquake and tsunami that ravaged 
Shichigahama's community and surrounding region in 2011. For nearly 
twenty-two years, Plymouth and Shichigahama have shared this unique 
status as sister cities, an appropriate relationship as the two cities 
have many commonalities. They both are coastal towns that are 
surrounded by beautiful scenery with similar industries and population 
statistics. The people of Plymouth and Shichigahama have long taken in 
each others' high school students on exchange trips, and they have 
supported each other during times of tragedy. In particular, the Town 
of Plymouth organized a number of fundraising events in order to aid 
Shichigahama following the 2011 tsunami. The deep bond that these two 
towns share is a prime example of how distance, variance in language, 
and cultural differences can all be overcome in the interest of shared 
human experience and unity.
  Mr. Speaker, it brings me great joy to recognize the arrival of a 
delegation from Shichigahama, Japan, to its sister city of Plymouth. I 
urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the significance of this 
visit, in welcoming our friends from Plymouth's sister city to the 
United States, and in wishing the delegation a pleasant stay.

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