日米協会ガラ・ディナーにおける挨拶
2005年10月21日在ヒューストン日本国総領事 加茂佳彦
Thank you, Ms. Bryant.
Good evening, Ladies and Gentlemen, honored guests:
As Honorary Chairman of this event I am very proud to be here tonight at this Japan America Society One Thousand Cranes 2005 Dinner and I very much appreciate Mayor Bill White taking the time to be with us to offer us his very important and timely words at this amazing time in the city of Houston.Houston is especially amazing right now for several reasons?and I am referring to more than the fact that the Astros are going to win the World Series starting tomorrow night!Mayor White showed us how to cheer on the Astros.
Mayor White was amazing, as well, in the way he demonstrated his leadership in coping with the two hurricanes and welcoming the evacuees from New Orleans, including my colleagues at the Consulate-General of Japan there, to this city.He made us all proud to be a part of this great community and helped to make Houston known world-wide as a city of compassion and generosity.Scenes from the Astrodome after the horrors of the refugees’ plight in New Orleans brought Houston to the forefront of Japanese media coverage.
Houston is an amazing city because it offers people from many different countries, backgrounds and cultures great opportunities in every area of life.Among these people are my fellow countrymen and women.Some are permanent residents of this city; others are here on temporary assignment like me.One resident of Space City who became an instant hero in Japan is Astronaut Soichi Noguchi who traveled in space on the last Discovery mission this past summer.
The Japan America Society of Houston will undergo a change in leadership with the conclusion of this evening’s festivities.Brad Richards will pass the presidency of the Society to Glen Gondo and I congratulate both the outgoing and the incoming presidents:A job well done by Brad, who lost his hair during his presidency and good luck to Glen who promises us more sushi parties and golf tournaments.
The mission of the Japan America Society of Houston is to build bridges and tie bonds between the Japanese people and Americans.I admire and welcome any organization or individual to join in fulfilling this mission.
We are most fortunate to have three other organizations here tonight: the Japan Business Association of Houston, the Japanese Association of Greater Houston and the Japanese American Citizens League.They have at least one thing in common--their Japanese ness or their love for Japan and our people and culture.They are united here tonight and I want to congratulate Dr. Nose and his committee for their initiative in creating this great opportunity to come together and to call attention to the Japanese presence in the community by having an influential speaker like Mayor White speak to us.I also want to thank the sponsors and volunteers for their generous contributions of time and treasure, especially Mrs. Sumiyo Ender for her beautiful voice.
Speaking of calling attention to Japan, there was good news about Japan in THE ECONOMIST magazine from the U.K a couple of weeks ago.“The Sun Also Rises” was a feature article touting Japan’s new economic revival under the leadership of Prime Minister Koizumi. The Japanese economy is on the move again, both at home and abroad.Japan is a good business partner to Texas.There are about one hundred Texas-owned companies in Japan and over 200 Japanese-owned companies in Texas.Japanese companies are the second largest foreign employers in the United States after the U.K. and the third largest in Texas.
I am certain that we will see more activities in Japanese business circles and consequently also in Japan-related organizations.This grand dinner serves to be the first step to that future.
Now, will Charles Foster, President of the Asia Society, Makoto Horie, Senior Vice President of the Japan Business Association, Mr. JJ Naoki, President of the Japanese Association of Greater Houston, Dr. George Hirasaki, President of the Japanese American Citizen’s League and Mr. Brad Richards, President of the Japan America Society of Houston please join me to offer a toast on this auspicious occasion.
“Let’s all drink to the continuing friendship between Japan and the United States.”