OLYMPIA - Senator Karen Fraser, D-Thurston County, recently received an “Award for Contribution to International Cooperation” from Governor Toshizo Ido, of Hyogo Prefecture, Washington’s Sister State in Japan. This award is made by the Governor only once a year on Japan’s Constitution Day to only one recipient.
It was presented to Fraser by Hyogo Prefecture’s Vice Governor Toshihiko Ioroi during his recent visit to the State Capital and The Evergreen State College. The College has a long, well established student and faculty exchange relationship with Hyogo University.
The Award commends Fraser for her long-standing dedication to the promotion of friendly relations between the State of Washington and Hyogo Prefecture.
Fraser expressed great surprise at receiving this award and stated, “Washington and Hyogo have a wonderful, 45-year long, sister-state relationship, the oldest in the US. It’s been a great pleasure to participate in that relationship and to encourage the further development of so many friendly and productive ties between citizens, elected officials, cities, educational institutions, and businesses over the years. I‘m certainly looking forward to the further growth of these ties.”
The City of Olympia and the City of Kato (formerly Yashiro) have had an active sister-city relationship since 1981, in which Fraser and her husband, Tim Malone, have been active from its inception. The Fourth Avenue Bridge, in Olympia, is officially named the Olympia-Yashiro Friendship Bridge in honor of the sister city relationship. The main street in Kato City is named Olympia Avenue.
The Olympia-Kato City Sister City Association website www.olympiakatosca.org contains more information on the history and activities between the two cities. People interested in participating in these activities may make contact by calling 493-2047 or 754-9156 or by emailing macyhome@comcast.net.
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For further information: Mr. Ginn Kitaoka, Executive Director, Hyogo Business and Cultural Center: 206-261-6304
Jeff Reading: 360-786-7845
For interviews: Senator Karen Fraser: 360-786-7642 or 360-250-6261