[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 21806]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


[[Page 21806]]

                          EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS

                CONGRATULATING THE CITY OF KOCHI, JAPAN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 6, 2001

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the city of 
Kochi, Japan, on celebrating their 400th year of existence. Kochi has a 
special relationship with Fresno, CA, because the two have been Sister 
Cities since February 11, 1965.
  Kochi is a city that is rich with history. Yamanouchi Kazutoyo, a 
successful warrior of that period, took up residence in the city of 
Tosa in the year 1601. Kazutoyo's status as a warrior and his loyalty 
to the Tokugawa leyasu earned him a vast area of land to farm and 
develop. He recognized that the future development of the town would be 
impossible at the site in Tosa. So he moved his government back to the 
Otaska area and built Kochi Castle, the foundation of the great city.
  Kochi is a progressive city that has long been at the forefront of 
social and political progress. Kochi is proud to be the first city in 
Japan to grant voting rights to women. Several key figures in the birth 
of modern Japan, such as Sakomoto Ryoma and Itagaki Taisuke, were from 
Kochi.
  Fresno is proud to be a Sister City with Kochi, Japan. This 
relationship encourages growth, fosters understanding, and develops 
friendships through cultural, educational, and personal exchange.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the city of Kochi, Japan on their 
400-year anniversary. I urge my colleagues to join me in wishing the 
city of Kochi many more years of prosperity and good fortune.

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