Members of Provincial Parliament surround Consul-General Hisao Yamaguchi in
a ceremonial planting of a Sakrua tree on the Ontario legislative grounds.[HOME][Back to Sakura Main Page]
The Ontario Government received three trees from the Sakura Project, which were planted in front of the Legislative Buildings at Queen's Park and celebrated with a ceremony on June 1. In attendance were Sakura Committee Chair and Consul General of Japan Hisao Yamaguchi, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, the Honourable Alvin Curling, several Members of Provincial Parliament and members of the Sakura Committee.
"Although the Sakura Project
has been planting trees at various locations around this beautiful
province since the spring of 2001, the presentation of these three
trees to Queen's Park represents a truly significant milestone,"
said Mr. Yamaguchi in a speech during the ceremony.
Consul-General Yamaguchi gives his speech while the Honourable Alvin Curling, Speaker of the Ontario Legislature, looks on.
"This project would not be
possible without the generous financial support of hundreds of
donors. Almost all of them are private individuals, and are residents
of Ontario." Mr. Yamaguchi explained. "It therefore
has been the wish of the Sakura Committee for some time that we
realize a planting of our trees at Queen's Park, providing tangible
expression for the goodwill that is flourishing between Japan
and all of Ontario."
Speaker Curling and Consul-General Yamaguchi unveil the plaque (left photo); members of the Sakura Committee with Speaker Curling (right).
Speaker Curling on behalf of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario expressed their appreciation for the trees, and their hope that ties between Ontario and Japan will be further strengthened as a result. He and Consul-General Yamaguchi after their speeches unveiled the plaque that was to be subsequently installed to commemorate the planting.
A reception was held after the
ceremony in the Legislative Building and members of the Sakura
Committee had an opportunity to meet and talk with Speaker Curling
and other Members of Provincial Parliament.
