SR712: SR712 Consulate-General of Japan in Atlanta; recognize

26 LC 129 0947 Senate Resolution 712 By: Senators Ginn of the 47th, Harrell of the 40th, Anavitarte of the 31st, Kirkpatrick of the 32nd, Echols of the 49th and others A RESOLUTION Recognizing the 52nd anniversary of the Consulate-General of Ja pan in Atlanta; and for1 other purposes.2 WHEREAS, the Consulate-General of Japan in Atlanta has strength ened the cultural,3 political, and economic ties between the Southeast United States and Japan and has worked4 to help and support Japanese citizens and companies in the Southeast; and5 WHEREAS, a long and steady friendship has grown between Georgia and Japan, as shown6 by the establishment of the Office of the State of Georgia in Japan 53 years ago; and7 WHEREAS, Georgia has become a model for welcoming Japanese comp anies to the8 Southeast, and the region has grown to become an indispensable part of the United9 States-Japan relationship; and10 WHEREAS, current trade between Georgia and Japan is $8.33 billion in import and export11 trade; and12 WHEREAS, there are 700 Japan affiliated offices now located in Georgia, employing 40,00013 people; and14 S. R. 712 - 1 - 26 LC 129 0947 WHEREAS, the Consulate-General created Japan Fest in 1986 and helped grow it into the15 largest Japanese cultural festival in the Southeast; and16 WHEREAS, the Governor of Georgia, the Honorable Brian P. Kemp, visited Japan in17 October of 2025 in connection with the Annual Joint Meeting of Japan-US Southeast18 Associations; and19 WHEREAS, the Ambassador of Japan to the United States, Ambassad or Yamada, visited20 Georgia in November of 2025 to meet with members of the Japanes e community in the21 Atlanta area; and22 WHEREAS, nearly 1,000 Georgia public school students are studying the Japanese language,23 thirteen Georgia institutes of higher education have Japanese language programs, and from24 1987 to 2025, 590 Georgians have participated in Japan's Japanese Exchange and Teaching25 (JET) program.26 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body27 recognize the 52nd anniversary of the Consulate-General of Japa n in Atlanta and the long28 and steady friendship between this state and Japan and commend the efforts of the29 Consulate-General to strengthen cultural, educational, political, and economic ties between30 Georgia and Japan.31 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed32 to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for di stribution to the33 Consulate-General of Japan in Atlanta.34 S. R. 712 - 2 -