Gilbert Gutknecht: “today I rise to honor the U.S.-Japan Maritime Youth Exchange Program. This program brings together high school age…”

“today I rise to honor the U.S.-Japan Maritime Youth Exchange Program. This program brings together high school age students from Japan and the United States for a 3-week program of travel and study in both countries. It was developed and funded in 1996 through a partnership between the U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation here in Washington and Mr. Kaoru Hasegawa, an unsuccessful World War II Japanese kamikaze pilot and now president of Rengo Company, Limited, in Japan. Mr. Hasegawa was shot down and then rescued by the crew of the USS Callaghan back in World War II. When the survivors of the Callaghan invited Mr. Hasegawa to attend their reunion several years ago, it was a very emotional reunion. The desire to share their new-found goodwill and understanding with the next generation of Americans and Japanese led to the creation of the Maritime Youth Exchange Program. The program's purpose is to teach participants about the historical, cultural and economic factors that impact the two countries' maritime policies and practices. With understanding, respect, teamwork and friendship, the program will work to create a healthy partnership for the future of these two great countries.”