[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 19061]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                U.S.-JAPAN MARITIME YOUTH EXCHANGE 2003

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                           HON. GIL GUTKNECHT

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 22, 2003

  Mr. GUTKNECHT. Mr. Speaker, I rise to introduce the U.S.-Japan 
Maritime Youth Exchange Program and its participants for 2003. The 
U.S.-Japan Maritime Youth Exchange Program brings together 12 high 
school students (6 from each country) for a three-week program of 
travel and study in Japan and the United States. It was developed and 
funded through a partnership between the U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation 
in Washington, DC and the Japan Youth Research Institute beginning in 
1998. The major objective of the program is to increase mutual 
understanding by American and Japanese youth of our maritime traditions 
and the importance of our continued cooperation and alliance.
  The program's purpose is to teach participants about the historical, 
cultural, economic, and other factors that impact the two countries' 
maritime policies and practices. The program joins together one 
American cadet and one Japanese student as ``partners'' throughout the 
exchange. By fostering understanding, respect, teamwork and friendship, 
on both the individual and group levels, the program will work to 
create a healthy partnership for the future and greatly benefit both 
countries.
  Entering its sixth year, this unique opportunity takes participants 
to naval, cultural, and historical sites in cities such as Groton, CT, 
New York City, Washington, DC, and San Diego in the US; and Osaka, 
Hiroshima, Kyoto, and Tokyo in Japan. The students travel together for 
ten days in the United States and ten days in Japan during July and 
August. Six American students are high school juniors chosen from the 
Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (NJROTC) program. The 12 
students are chosen through a rigorous selection process by their 
respective countries. The six Japanese participants are chosen from 
throughout that nation by the Japan Youth Research Institute. Adult 
leaders for the program will include two Americans from the Education 
Institute, U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation and two Japanese from the 
Japan Youth Research Institute. The students learn about maritime 
issues with focus on the roles of the U.S. Navy and the Japan Maritime 
Self Defense Force.
  Founded in 1977 by Navy, civic, and national leaders, the U.S. Navy 
Memorial Foundation is a non-partisan, educational, not-for-profit [501 
(c) (3)] organization, honoring men and women of the U.S. sea services, 
and perpetuating their values, heritage, and traditions. The Foundation 
serves as an ``embassy'' to the American people and the sea services-
bringing the Americans closer to the sea services and educating the 
significant impact and sacrifices young Sailors and Marines have and 
are making throughout the world in securing our freedom.
  The six American students are entering their senior year of high 
school, have a scholastic average of at least 3.2, and have graduated 
from NJROTC Leadership Academy. The students are required to complete a 
series of research assignments as preparation for their trip, allowing 
a greater education benefit during this fast-paced program.
  Meeting as strangers in San Diego, California, the students will 
quickly develop close bonds throughout their trip while visiting 
various maritime and historical sites in both countries. The program 
pairs every American and Japanese student, fostering an atmosphere of 
understanding, respect, and teamwork with the aim of lifetime 
partnerships, which will greatly benefit both countries.
  Students participating in the 2003 program include Carl Beierl of 
Virginia Beach, VA, Zoe Harrold of Euclid, OH, Amanda Perez of Cary, 
NC, Natasha Rutherford of Jonesville, VA, Scott Salamone of Virginia 
Beach, VA, Christopher Terrell of Pensacola, FL, Yusuke Kawabata of 
Kanagawa, Japan, Shohei Konishi of Tokyo, Japan, Masamichi Yazaki of 
Hyogo, Japan, Marie Nagai of Saitama, Japan, Fumiko Miyazaki of Aichi, 
Japan, and Ayumi Tomatsuri of Saitama, Japan.

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