Office of the Mayor

Recognition

Lawrence, Kansas

WHEREAS: The Cities of Lawrence, Kansas and Hiratsuka, Japan became Sister Cities in September 1990; and

WHEREAS:  Yoshimi Tomita was instrumental in establishing this partnership as Chief Secretary of the City of Hiratsuka, leading a delegation of six Hiratsuka officials and citizens to Lawrence to assess Lawrence as a potential partner, enthusiastically reporting back to the Hiratsuka City Assembly to approve this partnership; and

WHEREAS:  In 1994, the Hiratsuka International Exchange Association and the Friends of Lawrence were established under Mr. Tomita’s leadership and he has served as president of both organizations, chairing several anniversary committees; and

WHEREAS:  Mr. Tomita has met every annual Lawrence student delegation to Hiratsuka starting in 1990, hosting many Lawrence visitors, and he returned to Lawrence for the third time in 2010 to attend the partnership’s 20^th anniversary celebration; and

WHEREAS:  Through his steadfast leadership and dedication to this Sister City partnership, this relationship is an invaluable asset and today, I am honored to designate Yoshimi Tomita as an honorary citizen of Lawrence, Kansas.  

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert J. Schumm, Mayor of the City of Lawrence, Kansas, do hereby call on the citizens of Lawrence to recognize Yoshimi Tomita for his fervent dedication and service in establishing and developing this Sister City program with the City of Lawrence, Kansas. 

                                                           Robert J. Schumm, Mayor

             February 19, 2013