[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 3]
[Senate]
[Page 3349]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    THE ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF 3-11

  Mr. KERRY. Madam President, yesterday the world marked the 
anniversary of the triple tragedy--the earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear 
crisis--that struck Japan on March 11 of last year. I rise today to 
commemorate that heartbreaking day for our good friend and ally and to 
pay tribute to the remarkable resilience of the Japanese people in the 
face of this unprecedented series of catastrophic events. Even as Japan 
labors to rebuild devastated regions in the northeast, it continues to 
make enormous contributions to the international community, so let's 
take this moment to acknowledge the ambitious reconstruction effort 
underway in Japan and its indispensable role in world affairs.
  Any one of these three events--a magnitude 9.0 earthquake that 
destroyed entire towns and villages, a tsunami that swept away 
thousands, and the ensuing nuclear crisis at the Fukushima Dai-ichi 
plant--would have been enough to overwhelm and paralyze any country, 
any government. To have all three occur at the same time simply strains 
the imagination. Yet the Japanese Government and the Japanese people 
responded to these events with their characteristic resilience, both in 
the immediate aftermath when local first responders and Japan's Self-
Defense Forces responded so heroically in the face of almost 
unimaginable destruction and today in rebuilding shattered lives and 
communities by seeking new opportunities for economic growth and 
innovation, including through new green energy initiatives.
  And if there is a silver lining to the tragic events of 3/11, it is 
that the U.S.-Japan alliance once more proved its own strength and 
vitality, demonstrating the deep bonds of friendship and affection that 
tie our two nations together. Together, we launched the largest joint 
military operation in our history, with more than 20,000 Americans 
supporting the Japan Self-Defense Forces in Operation Tomodachi. The 
Department of Defense alone provided 24,000 personnel, 190 aircraft, 
and 24 Navy ships to assist with humanitarian and disaster relief 
operations. To this day, our country's joint efforts continue through 
public-private partnerships for reconstruction and through the 
TOMODACHI initiative. This program, spearheaded by our Ambassador to 
Japan--and my good friend--John Roos, is focused on partnerships and 
programs to empower Japan's next generation and to strengthen ties 
between Americans and Japanese.
  Madam President, nations and relationships between nations often 
display their truest colors during times of stress, challenge, and 
tragedy. As we look back at the events of a year ago and pause in 
remembrance of those who lost their lives, let's also give thanks for 
the strength, health, and vitality of the partnership between the 
United States and Japan.

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