[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 13794]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING DAISAKU IKEDA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. NYDIA M. VELAZQUEZ

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 27, 2016

  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Daisaku Ikeda, 
President of the Soka Gakkai International who is celebrating the 
anniversary of his first visit to New York. Mr. Ikeda is a leader who 
has served New York's community--indeed our entire City--with 
distinction.
  Daisaku Ikeda's first visit to New York was October 2nd, 1960, to 
introduce America to the compassionate and enlightening teachings of 
Buddhism as a practical way for individuals to create harmonious 
families and communities in order to create a peaceful and sustainable 
world for all humanity. Dr. Ikeda's lifetime has been focused on 
striving for peace in New York City and around the world.
  Since his arrival, the New York SGI organization has grown 
significantly--today New York City is home to some 13,500 active 
members of SGI-USA, with 33 Chapters hosting over 200 monthly 
neighborhood discussion meetings. New York City enjoys two SGI Buddhist 
Culture Centers, in Queens and Manhattan, with a third center currently 
under construction in the heart of the 7th Congressional District in 
Brooklyn--which will be completed in 2017.
  Dr. Ikeda continues, with tremendous youthful energy and passion, to 
be a constant inspiration to thousands of New Yorkers as well as 
millions around the world. His thoughts are best expressed through a 
passage in his book, The Human Revolution ``a great revolution of 
character in just a single individual will help achieve a change in the 
destiny of a nation, and further, will cause a change in the destiny of 
mankind.''
  Dr. Ikeda has demonstrated a steadfast desire for peace and is a 
testament that a single person can make a difference not only in a 
community, but in the world. In recognition of his efforts in support 
of the United Nations, as well as public information and education 
activities on such issues as disarmament, the environment and human 
rights, Ikeda was conferred the UN Peace Award in 1983.
  I ask all my colleagues to join me in saluting Mr. Ikeda and paying 
tribute to his many achievements.

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