[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 121 (Tuesday, September 11, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1480]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         RECOGNIZING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF LYNNE YOSHIKO NAKASONE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. COLLEEN W. HANABUSA

                               of hawaii

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 11, 2012

  Ms. HANABUSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Lynne Yoshiko 
Nakasone of Honolulu, Hawaii. The National Endowment for the Arts has 
named Sensei Nakasone a 2012 National Heritage Fellow for her 
contributions to the folk and traditional arts. This prestigious 
lifetime achievement award honors Sensei Nakasone's lifetime commitment 
to Okinawan classical dance--which is also referred to as Ryukyu 
dance--and embodies her accomplishments by identifying her as one of 
our country's Living Treasures.
  Sensei Nakasone is originally from Naha, Okinawa but has resided in 
Hawai`i since her marriage to her loving husband, Clarence, in 1955. At 
age 6, Sensei Nakasone began to master the techniques of Ryukyuan 
dance--which dates back to the time of the Ryukyu Kingdom--under the 
mentorship of Ryosho Kin, a renowned figure in the Okinawan performing 
arts. In 1956, Sensei Nakasone founded the Hoge Ryu Hana Nizi no Kai 
Nakasone Dance Academy in Honolulu and for over five decades has been 
teaching, performing, and choreographing creative dances. Sensei 
Nakasone's performance skills are second to none but it is her Aloha 
Spirit that endures the test of time as her passion, knowledge, and 
kindness have touched countless individuals over the years. There is no 
doubt in my mind that Sensei Nakasone is deserving of this award for 
she has dedicated her life towards preserving Okinawan culture while 
positively impacting others and contributing to the diversity and 
uniqueness of culture in the United States of America.
  Sensei Nakasone has been recognized numerous times in the past, being 
awarded the Individual Artist Fellowship from the State of Hawai`i, a 
Legacy Award from the Hawai`i United Okinawa Association, a certificate 
of commendation from the government of Japan, and a Living Treasure 
Award by the Hawai`i Buddhist Association. With her award from the 
National Endowment of the Arts, Sensei Nakasone has deservingly been 
recognized at every level possible. Her tremendous contributions to the 
humanities and to us all cannot be underscored and it is truly an honor 
for us to be able to recognize Sensei Nakasone for sharing her gifts 
with the world.
  On behalf of the First Congressional District of Hawai`i--as well as 
the entire State of Hawai`i--I would like to extend my warmest aloha 
and congratulations to Lynne Yoshiko Nakasone, her husband Clarence, 
and her entire family for being named a 2012 National Heritage Fellow.

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