[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 10]
[Senate]
[Page 14157]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    CONGRATULATIONS TO SISTER CITIES

 Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I would like to take this 
opportunity to congratulate the cities of Saginaw, MI, and Tokushima, 
Japan, on the 45th anniversary of their sister city partnership. This 
is a significant milestone, and I am delighted to recognize these two 
cities for their many years of dialog and exchange.
  In 1961, Saginaw and Tokushima established a relationship that sought 
to promote cultural awareness between the cities. Since that time, 
there has been significant interaction between the two cities, 
including student groups and other delegations traveling between the 
cities for cultural, educational and other purposes, as well as the 
exchange of gifts.
  In 1971, the Tokushima-Saginaw Friendship Garden was built in 
Saginaw, and the land adjacent to the garden was subsequently deeded to 
the city of Tokushima. In 1985, a tea house was also built in Saginaw. 
Contractors and laborers from both cities were instrumental in its 
construction of the tea house and the labor costs were equally borne by 
both Saginaw and Tokushima. Upon its completion, the tea house became 
one of only 11 in the United States, and the only authentic tea house 
in the Midwest.
  Promoting dialog and interaction between cities in the United States 
and other countries is a great way for communities to learn, understand 
and relate to other cultures. Through their Sister City Partnership, 
residents and officials of the cities of Saginaw and Tokushima now have 
a deeper and more personal appreciation for the traditions of both the 
United States and Japan. I know my colleagues join me in congratulating 
Saginaw and Tokushima on the 45 years of cultural exchange, and I wish 
them the best as this relationship continues to develop 
further.

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