2024 -- H 8322

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2024

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H O U S 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: Representatives Kennedy, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Chippendale,
Kazarian, Edwards, Azzinaro, Tanzi, Ajello, and Felix

     Date Introduced: May 30, 2024

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, Both the State of Rhode Island and Japan take pride in their rich connection

to the sea and their maritime history, with the former embracing its moniker as the Ocean State;

and

     WHEREAS, In addition to the long maritime tradition, the historical importance of

Rhode Island’s shipwrights and the ship-building industry - and consequently the significance of

these to the United States Navy - is exemplified in the history of Newport; and

     WHEREAS, The personage of Commodore Matthew Perry, raised in the aforementioned

maritime culture of Newport, through his service in the United States Navy and in his role in the

1854 signing of the U.S.-Japan Treaty of Peace and Amity, is a significant representative of

Rhode Island’s impact in United States-Japan relations and in world history; and

     WHEREAS, This year coincides with the 170th Anniversary of the signing of the

aforementioned treaty which is the first ever treaty of Japan with another state, and which became

a trigger for the opening and modernization of Japan; and

     WHEREAS, In commemoration in part of Commodore Perry’s actions leading to the

establishment of formal Japan-U.S. diplomatic relations, the Newport-Shimoda sister city

relationship was established in 1958, and is honored in various activities promoting this

friendship; and

     WHEREAS, LeBaron Colt, a Senator from Rhode Island and Chairman of the U.S.

Senate Committee on Immigration in 1924, vigorously opposed the discriminatory Immigration

and Nationality Act of 1924, which declared the Japanese and other Asians to be aliens ineligible

for 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, while in Japan the annual Black Ships

Festival in Shimoda and Perry Festival in Yokosuka are celebrated with the participation of tens

of thousands of people; and

     WHEREAS, The Japanese community along with other communities has contributed to

fostering cultural richness and diversity in the State; and

     WHEREAS, Brown University and the University of Rhode Island have a thriving and

growing Japanese research and language studies program; and

     WHEREAS, The United States--Japan Alliance is the cornerstone of peace and prosperity

in the Indo-Pacific region; a relationship that is characterized by a mutual upholding of the values

of democracy, rule of law, and friendly trade; and

     WHEREAS, This strong bond between the United States and Japan was reaffirmed by

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio’s Official Visit to the United States from April 8th to

14th and a Summit Meeting with President Joseph Biden on April 10th in Washington, D.C.,

where the two leaders concurred that Japan and the U.S. are global partners working on the issues

of the international society and shared the view to jointly uphold and bolster the free and open

international order based on the rule of law; and

     WHEREAS, The Japanese private sector contributes to the economic growth of Rhode

Island through continued investment and the creation of employment opportunities. Fifty-seven

Japanese companies operate in this State and they comprise the second highest number of foreign

companies operating in Rhode Island. Japanese companies also employ 2,100 people in the State

of Rhode Island. In 2023, Rhode Island’s exports to Japan totaled $126 million, primarily within

the pharmaceutical and medical sectors; and

     WHEREAS, The Japanese American community in Rhode Island has continued to

maintain friendly relationships with Japan while simultaneously striving to realize a harmonious

multi-national society as part of the larger Asian-American community in Rhode Island; now,

therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

recognizes the 170th Anniversary of the signing of the U.S.-Japan Treaty of Peace and Amity and

steady friendship between the State of Rhode Island and Japan and wishes to further deepen and

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promote cultural, economic, technological and people-to-people ties between the State and Japan;

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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