As the Honorary Vice Chairwoman for Sister Cities International, Second Lady Karen Pence participated in a meeting and cultural presentation of the Youth Ambassador Exchange, a program through the Houston, Texas-Chiba Sister City Relationship. Mrs. Pence met with the Mayor of Chiba-city, Toshihito Kumagai, five middle school students from last year’s Youth Ambassador Exchange program, and the teacher who served as the chaperone for the exchange program.
The annual Houston-Chiba Sister City Youth Ambassador Program is considered to be one of the most important elements of the sister city relationship. In alternating years, middle school students, along with a chaperone, visit their counterpart’s city. The meeting opened with Mayor Kumagai offering greetings from Chiba-city, Japan and Mrs. Pence offering greetings from the United States.
The meeting included a presentation by the five Japanese students who participated in the Youth Ambassador Exchange program. Mrs. Pence learned about the students’ visit to Houston last year where they met with city officials, attended classes at a Houston middle school, and toured local sights. Through the stories shared, Mrs. Pence gained an understanding of what it is was like for the students to experience home and school life in a culture different from their own.
“The Houston, Texas-Chiba Sister City relationship is a 45-year relationship, bringing together cities and people to experience each other’s culture,” said Mrs. Karen Pence. “It was an honor and pleasure to visit with the Mayor, students, and their chaperone. This was a great opportunity to represent the United States and continue the cultural relationship between our country and Japan.”
After participation in the sister city presentation, Mrs. Pence visted the Hama-rikyu Gardens in Tokyo. She was joined by Mrs. Chikako Aso, wife of Japanese Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso. Together, they enjoyed the beautiful views of the gardens. Following the tour, the Second Lady met with Mrs. Akie Abe, wife of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
On Thursday, Mrs. Pence will visit the Airman and Family Readiness Center at Yokota Air Base where she will meet with military spouses.
To stay updated on Mrs. Pence’s events, follow her on Twitter at, @SecondLady.
About Houston-Chiba Sister City Relationship
The Houston, Texas—Chiba City, Japan sister city relationship was established in 1972. The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) invited to Japan a Houston delegation. The delegation approached the Japan Municipal League for International Friendship to ask about partnering with a Japanese city. Houston and Chiba City identified a number of shared interests and characteristics, for example, both are important port cities with strong industrial bases. After consideration and their respective municipal approvals, on October 24, 1972, the cities executed a sister-city agreement.
Volunteer to assist the Japan-America Society of Houston at their ANNUAL SPRING GARDEN CLEANUP
Time: Saturday, April 7 | 9 AM
Place: Hermann Park Japanese Garden
About: This year’s Spring Garden Cleanup is ever more special as we will be preparing the grounds for Japan Festival’s 25th Anniversary Celebration. Join the efforts to ensure the Japanese Garden looks its best!
Join the Houston Taipei Society for a day of fun gardening at Hermann Park and the Houston Taipei Friendship Pavilion.
Family, friends and anyone interested is welcome!
When: Saturday, April 7th, 9:00 am – 12 noon
Where: McGovern Centennial Gardens, 1500 Hermann Drive at Crawford St. Lot C, 77004
Bring: water, snacks, gardening tools and gloves if you prefer to use your own (gardening tools are also provided by the HPC)
Wear: closed-toe shoes, long pants, eye wear and sun wear
Lunch: picnic style lunch, bring your own, on-site food trucks are available or you can pre-order from the Pinewood Cafe. To pre-order at the Pinewood Cafe, click here. RSVP: ACoburn@houstonmethodist.org
Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the United States
Date: Wednesday, April 11, 2018 11:30 am – 1:30 pm Houston, TX
Place: *Location will be provided upon registration
Cost: USRCC Members – $50 / Non-Members – $100
About His Excellency Anatoly I. Antonov: His Excellency Anatoly Ivanovich Antonov was born on May 15, 1955, in Omsk, a city in southwestern Siberia. He earned a B.A. and an M.A. in International Relations at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations in 1978 and 1983, respectively. Later, in 2012, Antonov earned a Ph.D. in Political Science at the Institute of World Economy and International Relations in Moscow. Antonov began his diplomatic career in 1978, spending the next 33 years at the Soviet Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its successor, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Antonov is fluent in English and Burmese.
About: Join us at Miller Outdoor Theatre to celebrate 25 years of Japan Festival and 50 years of Japan-America friendship in Houston with a striking performance by Japanese drum troupe ASKA-GUMI!
About: Once a year, the azumaya in the Japanese Garden is opened to the public for a traditional Japanese tea ceremony experience. Enjoy the ceremonial preparation and presentation of matcha, powdered green tea, and Japanese sweets. A limited number of seats are available per time slot.
About: Houston’s much beloved JAPAN FESTIVAL returns to Hermann Park for a special anniversary celebration. As we mark 25 YEARS, the festival promises family-friendly fun with authentic food, entertainment, arts and crafts, exhibits and demonstrations.
East West Bank/Conference Room – On the last Tuesday of each month, the Board of Directors of Sister Cities of Houston meet to discuss ongoing business and initiatives. The Board is composed of five elected members of the Executive Committee, four at large board members and one ex officio representative from each Sister City organization.
Career Day on April 27 with the German Institute for the Southwest.
The German Institute for the Southwest is organizing a career day for high school and university students on April 27, 2018, in the building of the German Consulate General. If you know of a student studying German or of a teacher whose German class is not yet planning on attending, or an employer who would like to participate as an exhibitor, please write to angelika@germaninstitute.org.
The Houston Grampian Association will host a breakfast to celebrate the 50th Anniversary year of the OTC. This breakfast is one of the opening events of the OTC week.
The breakfast will be held on Saturday, April 28, 2018 (8am – 9 am Coffee & Social Networking & at 9 am Breakfast will be served) at The Hilton Post Oak, 2001 Post Oak Blvd, Houston, TX 77056.
Tables of 10 Sponsorship is $1000, Tables of 5 Sponsorship is $500, Individual seats are $60 for non members and $50 for members.
The main speaker this year is –
Gordon McIntosh – and he will talk about the ever changing Oil & Gas Market across the World. He is the current Deputy Minister of Natural Resources for the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. He was previously Director of Aberdeen City Council from 1995 until retirement in August of 2016 (in Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure), Past Vice Chairman Grampian Houston Association, Burgess of the City of Aberdeen, Past Director of Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Center, Visiting Professor – Robert Gordon University Director AREG (Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group), Director Petroleum Research Newfoundland and Labrador.
Other speakers are –
Susan Schneider of Houston Baptist University will speak about the yearly Nurse Exchange Program with Houston Baptist and Aberdeen Robert Gordon’s Universities which was founded in 1982. 2017 and 2018 exchange nurses will be in attendance. Harry Gee, President of Sister Cities Houston will speak about the importance of Sister Cities in a Worldwide Business. There are 18 Sister Cities and Gampian, Scotland was the 5th City to join Houston’s partnership in 1979
Russian Oprah Singer – Elena Fray – will open the Breakfast with the US National Anthem
Scottish Piper will perform as people arrive
McCallum is the whisky sponsor.
Money raised will benefit the yearly Nurse Exchange Program, they are a 501(C)3 charity.
For more information, please contact the Houston Grampian Association President, Lorna Ramsay at: lornaramsay@kw.com
Come join the Houston-Taipei Society as the HTS hosts Dr. John Liang, President of the American College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, as he gives our organization a unique presentation on acupuncture and the practice of Chinese medicine.
