Consul General Sunaga awarded with GA State House Resolution recognizing the 40th Anniversary of the Consulate General of Japan in Atlanta
The Georgia State House of Representatives adopted a resolution commemorating the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Consulate General of Japan in Atlanta and celebrating the 40 years of continuing relations between Japan and the state of Georgia.
On January 28th, Speaker of the House Ralston presented Consul General Sunaga with the resolution in an assembly attended by house representatives and staff, members of congress, the Japanese America Society of Georgia President, Mr. Robert Marsh, the Japanese Chamber of Commerce Vice Chair Mr. Tomonaga Hama and Board member Mr. Hiroaki Okumura, and the Georgia Japanese Language School, represented by Ms. Reiko Murano. This resolution recognizes the importance of the Consulate General of Japan in Atlanta for its support of Japan-affiliated businesses, Japanese people residing in the southeast, and for strengthening cultural, economic, and political ties between Japan and Georgia.
In his acceptance speech, Consul General Sunaga spoke about the 40 years of partnership between Japan and Georgia since the establishment of the Consulate in 1974 at the urging of then Governor Jimmy Carter and many prominent political and business leaders. Over the years, there has been a substantial rise in the number of Japan-affiliated companies in Georgia, import and export trade between Japan and Georgia, and Georgia has established ten sister-city relationships with Japan, more than any other in the Southeast. Japanese language education has spread throughout the southeast and the largest Japanese cultural event in the South, JapanFest, takes places right here in Atlanta. CG Sunaga expressed his honor and gratitude for recognition of the 40th anniversary of the Consulate General of Japan in Atlanta and looks forward to 40 more years of prosperity and friendship between Japan and Georgia.
By: House Representatives Tom Taylor, Lynne Riley, Joe Wilkinson, Ed Setzler, Ron Stephens
The resolution recognizes the 40th anniversary of the Consulate General of Japan in the Southeast, commend the Consul Generals efforts to strengthen cultural, political, and economic ties between Japan and Georgia, and invite the Consul General to be recognized by the House of Representatives on January 27, 2014.
Governor Nathan Deal and CG Sunaga
Representative Taylor, Representative Riley, JCCG vice chair Tomonaga Hama, Governor Deal, Consul General Sunaga, and Representative Wilkinson
Representative Tom Taylor explaining the significance of the resolution
Consul General Sunaga’s speech, with Speaker of the House Ralston and Representative Taylor
Consul General Sunaga received a standing ovation
From left, Representative Wilkinson, Riley, Stephens, Setzler, Ms. Murano, JASG President Marsh, JCCG Vice Chair Hama, JCCG Board member Mr. Okumura, CG Sunaga, Representative Taylor, and Speaker of the House Ralston
Resolution 1162