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“RECOGNIZING THE NATIONAL CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL AND THE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Agriculture was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E449 on March 27, 2012.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
RECOGNIZING THE NATIONAL CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL AND THE CENTENNIAL
CELEBRATION
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HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON
of the district of columbia
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise to ask the House of Representatives to join me in recognizing the National Cherry Blossom Festival and the Centennial Celebration, commemorating the 100-year anniversary of the gift of trees and the enduring friendship between the United States and Japan.
Each year, the National Cherry Blossom Festival heralds the coming of spring and produces diverse and creative programming promoting traditional and contemporary arts and culture, natural beauty, and community spirit, showcasing the best of Washington, DC to the world.
More than one hundred years ago, the combined vision of unlikely partners led to the world-renowned majestic cherry trees that line the Tidal Basin in our nation's capital. Eliza Scidmore, the National Geographic Society's first female board member, Dr. David Fairchild of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, First Lady Helen Herron Taft, Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo, and Dr. Jokichi Takamine, goodwill ambassador, world-famous chemist, and the founder of Sankyo Co., Ltd. (today known as Daiichi Sankyo), all worked together to bestow Washington, DC with more than 3,000 cherry trees in 1912. This gesture of goodwill was honored in a simple ceremony on March 27, 1912, when First Lady Taft and Viscountess Chinda, wife of the Japanese ambassador, planted the first two trees at the Tidal Basin. Today, the trees are a national treasure enjoyed by millions, and, as First Lady Taft envisioned, a wonderful backdrop for cultural and community events of all kinds.
Today, the National Cherry Blossom Festival unites the region for over one million visitors each spring, who look forward to signature events like the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade, world-class entertainment, cultural performances and more, primarily free and open to the public. Our Nation's greatest cultural institutions participate, including the National Gallery of Art, The Kennedy Center, and Smithsonian, with over 50 area organizations participating in total.
The National Cherry Blossom Festival greatly benefits the nation's capital. The Festival generates over $126 million annually for Washington, DC, and has received many accolades and international recognition.
Among the many special commemorative initiatives to mark the historic Centennial Celebration, the Government of Japan has designated the Centennial Celebration an official anniversary event. The United States Postal Service has issued Cherry Blossom Centennial Forever stamps, and the American Bus Association has named the Centennial Celebration the top event for group travel in 2012. Millions of people have enjoyed the National Cherry Blossom Festival, and millions will continue to create cherished memories here in the years to come.
Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in recognizing the work of the National Cherry Blossom Festival and the message of peace, friendship, and international understanding it carries on each year during the Nation's greatest springtime celebration.
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