Event Report
The Decoration Ceremony for Mr. Samuel M. Shepherd (January 21, 2011)
On January 21, 2011 a ceremony was held at Consul General Kiyokazu Ota’s Official Residence for Mr. Samuel M. Shepherd, who was decorated with “The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette” by His Majesty the Emperor of Japan. About 100 guests including prominent leaders of the community, family and friends of the award recipient and members of the press attended the ceremony.
At the ceremony, Consul General Ota gave congratulatory remarks to Mr. Shepherd and then presented him with the award certificate and a medal. Mr. Shepherd gave a speech and, in fluent Japanese, also included a performance of the song, “Kaeru no Uta (Frog’s Song)” for his grandson who was in attendance. Congratulatory remarks were made by Mr. Shepherd’s long time friend, Mr. Burton Bard, Washington State Sister City Coordinator for the Sister City International. Congratulatory letters from the Foreign Minister of Japan, U.S. Ambassador to Japan, the Ambassador of Japan to the U.S., Mayor of Seattle and from many others, who were unable to attend in person were also read at the event.
Kagami-biraki (opening of the sake cask) was held to celebrate the award and the New Year. Mr. Shepherd’s son participated in kagami-biraki together with his father and there was a great cheer from the audience. Mr. William Franklin gave his celebratory remarks and then proposed a toast.
Consul General mentioned in his remarks that Mr. Shepherd had lived in Japan as a child and mastered the Japanese language and gained comprehensive insight into Japanese culture and lifestyle and that his great contributions to strengthening of the relations between Japan and the United States through educational exchanges and internationalization of education in Japan are undeniable through the Fulbright Program encouraging international academic exchange, his role in Japanese education reform, in which his various efforts have resulted in increased people-to-people relations between our two countries. Consul General introduced the words of former Senator Fulbright which describe the accomplishments of Mr. Sam Shepherd in promoting friendly relations between Japan and the U.S.: “Educational exchange can turn nations into people, contributing as no other form of communication can to the humanizing of international relations.” (read Consul General Ota’s remarks here)
