Evergreen Chapter Members Greet Hyogo Prefecture’s Governor Ido in Seattle

Mary Van Verst

In late August, Governor Toshizo Ido and a delegation from the Hyogo Prefecture of Japan visited Seattle. A group of Evergreen Chapter members attended a seminar presented by Governor Ido, and a reception that followed at the Madison Ballroom of the Renaissance Seattle Hotel. Chapter members greeted Governor Ido during the reception, thanking him for his support of the exchange between ASPA and the Hyogo Administrative Policy Studies Association (HAPSA).

We also introduced the Governor to Kumiko Hoshide, who studied under Professor Matsuyo Makino at the University of Hyogo. Hoshide came to Washington State in 2006 with Makino and a group of students, as part of the HAPSA-ASPA exchange. Hoside’s interest in public administration and her desire to return to Washington State, motivated her to apply to the Evans School of Public Affairs. After being accepted, she arrived in Seattle just days before Governor Ido.

During the seminar, Governor Ido gave an overview of the Hyogo Prefecture, the exchanges between Hyogo and Washington State, and the attractiveness of Hyogo from a business and tourism standpoint.

Seattle and Kobe were established as sister-cities in 1957. Washington State and Hyogo signed a sister-state relationship agreement in 1963. In August 2003, 40th anniversary commemorative events were held with Governor Ido and a delegation of over 200 visiting the State of Washington. In October 2003, an agreement was signed between HAPSA and the ASPA-Evergreen Chapter. Governor Ido remarked that he is looking forward to returning for the 50th anniversary in 2013. Some members of the Evergreen Chapter will be involved in planning the anniversary festivities.

In his personal remarks, Governor Ido thanked Washingtonians for the outpouring of concern and resources following the Great East Japan Earthquake in March 2011. He added, “I would like to express my profound gratitude to all who displayed such compassionate gestures to the people of Japan. Hyogo will effectively utilize the experiences and the lessons learned from the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake that struck us 16 years ago, to engage in assisting the disaster-hit areas to encourage the earliest recovery possible. I would like to call for the continued support of Washingtonians, as well.”

ASPA Member Mary Van Verst is program development and evaluation coordinator for the Washington Commission for National & Community Service.
Email: [email protected]

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