Pelosi Statement on President Obama’s Historic Decision to Visit Hiroshima

Contact: Drew Hammill/Evangeline George, 202-226-7616

Washington, D.C. – Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement after the White House announced President Obama will be the first-sitting president to visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. With her visit as Speaker in 2008, Pelosi is currently the highest-ranking American official to have gone to Hiroshima.

“President Obama’s historic decision to visit Hiroshima is a great testimony to his bold and principled leadership. I was honored to represent our country as Speaker when I joined other G8 Speakers in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in 2008. Hiroshima is a deeply moving place to visit and to contemplate the terrible destructiveness of war.

“President Obama has been a tireless leader in the global effort to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons, and I commend him and the Administration for their strong focus on this vital challenge for global peace and security.

“The President’s visit also underscores the monumental progress of the friendship between the United States and Japan since the war. It also reflects the relationship between President Obama and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Together, our nations will continue to lead on non-proliferation.”

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