| R 329 |
| 2024 -- S 3114 Enacted 05/30/2024 |
| S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N |
| CELEBRATING THE 170TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE U.S. -- JAPAN TREATY OF PEACE AND AMITY |
Introduced By: Senators Ujifusa, Gu, Felag, Bissaillon, Raptakis, Pearson, Cano, F. Lombardi, LaMountain, and Euer |
| Date Introduced: May 30, 2024 |
| WHEREAS, The month of May is recognized as Asian American and Pacific Islander |
| (AAPI) Heritage Month in the United States, and is a time to recognize and celebrate the |
| contributions, achievements, and cultural heritage of AAPI throughout our nation's history; and |
| WHEREAS, The State of Rhode Island and Japan share a rich history of cultural |
| exchange, cooperation, and friendship; and |
| WHEREAS, The first official diplomatic contact between Japan and the United States |
| took place in 1853, when Commodore Matthew Perry, born in South Kingstown, led an |
| expedition of "Black Ships" to Japan under orders from President Millard Fillmore; and |
| WHEREAS, The Perry expedition eventually led to the signing of the Treaty of Peace |
| and Amity between the United States and Japan in 1854, which marked the beginning of formal |
| diplomatic relations between the two countries and paved the way for increased interaction and |
| trade; and |
| WHEREAS, Today, Japan is the United States' fourth largest trading partner, and for the |
| last four years, Japan has been the number one investor in the United States, and the United States |
| has been the number one investor in Japan; and |
| WHEREAS, Today, the relationship between the United States and Japan is marked by |
| mutual respect, admiration, and a commitment to promoting peace, understanding, and |
| collaboration; and |
| WHEREAS, Rhode Island and Japan have established numerous partnerships in various |
| fields including commerce, education, technology, arts, and culture; and |
| WHEREAS, The Rhode Island-Japan connection is further strengthened by the presence |
| of Japanese companies investing in Rhode Island and contributing to the State's economic |
| vitality, as well as by Rhode Island-based businesses engaging in trade with Japan, promoting |
| global commerce and innovation; and |
| WHEREAS, Educational and cultural exchanges between Rhode Island and Japan have |
| provided invaluable opportunities for students, scholars, artists, and professionals to learn from |
| one another, share experiences, and build lifelong connections, thereby enhancing cross-cultural |
| understanding and fostering global citizenship; and |
| WHEREAS, Through festivities such as the annual Black Ships Festival by the Japan- |
| America Society of Rhode Island and the Cherry Blossom Princess Crowning Ceremony by the |
| Blackstone Valley Tourism Council, Rhode Islanders continue to promote an appreciation of |
| Japanese culture and a warm friendship with Japan; and |
| WHEREAS, In Japan, tens of thousands of people continue to attend an annual Black |
| Ships Festival in Shimoda, a sister city with Newport, and a Perry Festival in Yokosuka, |
| celebrating connections with Commodore Perry and the United States; and |
| WHEREAS, The Naval War College in Newport and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense |
| Force work closely together to promote national security and regional stability through shared |
| resources, strategies, and commitments; and |
| WHEREAS In April of 2024, President Joe Biden hosted Japanese Prime Minister |
| Kishida Fumio at an official Summit Meeting in Washington, D.C., wherein it was stated, "Our |
| two nations have never been more united as we work together to address the most pressing |
| challenges and opportunities of the future"; now, therefore be it |
| RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby celebrates the |
| longstanding and meaningful relationship between the United States and Japan, recognizing the |
| contributions of individuals, organizations, and institutions that have worked tirelessly to promote |
| friendship, cooperation, and understanding between our two countries; and be it further |
| RESOLVED, That this Senate hereby honors the 170th Anniversary of the signing of the |
| U.S.-Japan Treaty of Peace and Amity, and encourages continued collaboration and partnership |
| between the United States and Japan, reaffirming our commitment to strengthening the ties that |
| bind us together and fostering a future of peace, prosperity, and mutual respect for generations to |
| come; and be it further |
| RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to |
| transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Honorable Joseph R. Biden, President of the |
| United States; Rhode Island's federal elected officials, Senator Jack Reed, Senator Sheldon |
| Whitehouse, Congressman Seth Magaziner, and Congressman Gabe Amo, and the Honorable |
| Kotaro Suzuki, Consul General of Japan in Boston. |
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| LC005999 |
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