Recognizing and Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of The Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia (JASGP) for its important contribution to strengthening the Japanese American community and enriching the overall quality of life for all citizens of Philadelphia.

WHEREAS, For two decades, JASGP has provided invaluable leadership in the Greater Philadelphia area to promote cultural, educational, and business exchanges with Japan; and

WHEREAS, In 1998, JASGP embarked on a ten-year program to supplement the 2,600 flowering cherry trees that the Japanese people gave the people of Philadelphia during the 1926 sesquicentennial; since 2003, the growing friendship between Japan and the City of Philadelphia has been celebrated each year through JASGP's Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival, which brings thousands of citizens and visitors to Philadelphia's historic Fairmount Park; and

WHEREAS, JASGP continues to fulfill its initial mission of providing a forum for the Japanese and Philadelphia business communities through various programs, including the Trans-Pacific Partnership Series luncheon that brings the latest in business and government relations to the Philadelphia region and the US-Japan Health Science Dialogues, an annual conference that brings the leaders of the pharmaceutical industry to promote new business opportunities and partnerships; and

WHEREAS, JASGP also works closely with the City of Philadelphia and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to promote Philadelphia to Japanese businesses locating in the United States and has facilitated numerous meetings between the Japanese Ambassadors in New York and the Mayors of Philadelphia; and

WHEREAS, The City of Kobe appointed JASGP's executive director, Kazumi Teune as Goodwill Ambassador to Philadelphia under the U.S. Government's Sister City Program and JASGP was recently recognized by Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs for its success in promoting business and cultural exchanges between Philadelphia and Japan; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby recognizes and celebrates the 20th Anniversary of The Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia for its important contribution to strengthening the Japanese American community and enriching the overall quality of life for all citizens of Philadelphia.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia further evidencing the sincere admiration and respect of this legislative body.

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