Pelosi Remarks at Nihonmachi Terrace
Contact: Nadeam Elshami/Drew Hammill, 202-226-7616
Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi took a tour today of Nihonmachi Terrace, a development that provides homes to over 400 low-income Japanese American seniors and families, and delivered remarks at a press conference recognizing the completion of its rehabilitation. Leader Pelosi was also honored with a plaque that will be posted in the Nihonmachi Terrace lobby. Below are Leader Pelosi’s remarks:
“What a wonderful, wonderful honor. Thank you very much, Will, for your leadership and for your kind tribute which I value enormously. The wonderful words of Miyeko and Kiyoko mean so much to me, that you live in comfort here, in friendship, in dignity with all the respect that you deserve. Thank you for your kind remarks. I will take them back to my colleagues in the Congress of the United States as a reflection of this as an example of Nihonmachi, as an example to the country of how we can do it right for our seniors, for affordable housing for families.
“I think it was completely appropriate, don’t you? I want to acknowledge again Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi who is with us. Thank you for being here and for caring so much about affordable housing and other issues in our community. Betty Landis from the Asian commission has been a champion in the community for so many of you. And the future, the Cherry Blossom Queen, isn’t that wonderful, we have all generations here?
“Consul General, I think it’s completely appropriate that this wonderful ceremony was redone by a demonstration of the generosity of this community to the people of Japan. As I said to you when I visited you after the earthquake and tsunami, the world was greatly saddened but tremendously impressed with the dignity and the stoicism and the resilience and the strength of the Japanese people. How wonderful today that the generosity of this community is extended to you.
“It is so appropriate because when 1906, Bishop Marc Andrus, we were together this morning for another housing event, St. Peter’s Place. Bishop, it was in 1906 after the earthquake in San Francisco the largest contributor to the recovery from overseas came from the country of Japan. Our relationship is a long one and a strong one and our community is very blessed by the Japanese American community here.
“And as you know, for 30 years the Nihonmachi terrace has been a place of comfort, of home, of warmth and dignity for members, largely, of the Japanese American community. It is perfectly appropriate, again as I say, for us to come together to continue that valuable initiative. Not just for the people here but as a model to the country.
“So again, I salute the Consul General. We are honored by your presence, your will. Will, you have been just so wonderful as president of the Japanese American Religious Federation, Housing, Inc. David, well, $100,000 that’s impressive! And my friend Buck Bagot—Buck Bagot has been working on affordable housing for as long as the Nihonmachi Terrace has existed, for a decade that I know of, and any other issues that relate to the well-being to the sense of community in our great city of San Francisco. Thank you, Buck Baggett.
“You know that about 18 months ago, September 2009, we came together for the groundbreaking of the rehabilitation of the Nihonmachi Terrace. At that time, I was honored to receive from the residents a beautiful, I guess you would call it a lamp, an illuminator whether by light or whatever. It sat in the Speaker’s office for a while, hopefully it will again, but nonetheless in the Capitol of the United States as an inspiration of the strength of this community, of the beauty of the culture and again, a reminder that we have to ever be vigilant and constantly working so that all that we do improves the lives of the American people.
“So when it was clear that the Nihonmachi terrace, built a few years ago, was in need of repair, we were able to do something very unique with the help of Congressman Barney Frank. He is the [Ranking Member] of the Financial Services Committee, which has the Housing Committee in it. We were able to ensure that when the housing finance reform bill passed, it directly allocated federal funds for Nihonmachi terrace. This is highly unusual, that it would be that specific. But this was again, of that national significance as a model to the country so that it is could come straight here for this work to be done. While it may seem long to you, it is fast in terms of getting these kinds of things done. It’s easier to finance these kinds of rehabilitation to seniors to allow them to live comfortably for decades to come.
“Again, when we came together, we knew of some of the concerns, whether it was the roof Jeff was telling me about, the double-paned windows, reinforcement of new roofs, the beautiful Japanese garden that celebrates the culture of rest and reflection, a new library, exercise room for those who engage in such a thing and a sprinkler system to keep people safe here. It’s a great place. Again, I love coming here. It is a great source of pride for all of us to be able to say to our colleagues that the public policy that we passed there is justified because it is used here to make a difference in the lives of people and that is of national significance. I say that over and over again because what we’re doing here is not only good for the people here, that would be a sufficient justification. But it serves as an example model and further documentation of a way to get things done that serves people throughout our country.
“So I know that Buck read a long list of donors, and they are listed in the program and of those who made this all possible. In the Congressional tradition of associating myself with these remarks than reading the list again, and I want you to read it as a special thanks to them. I accept your kind words and that wonderful plaque, as one of the great satisfactions of my public service and as a constant reminder of what is happening here as a source of strength to our community. Could anything be more eloquent, in terms of the need and fulfilling of aspirations of the people here than the comments of the residents here, living happily and healthily in this beautiful place.
“Thank you so much for your kind words, your courage. And I want to say their names again so that you know because when we come together to do something else proudly in a dozen or so years, I’m sure we’ll be hearing again from Miyeko Kanoh and Kiyoko Dorsey. Dorsey. Welcome to San Francisco, everyone.
“In any event, again, getting back to our beautiful relationship, the pride that we take and the diversity in our community, the strength that we draw from our Japanese American community, the challenges that we face living in a high cost area, with all the imagination and artistic skill—by the way, the Japanese tea garden, it was designed by an Italian American, Will Lubet. So, in any event, our diversity is our source of strength. You are a source of pride. I am very grateful and honored to be with you today.”