Mondale to receive Japan's highest honor for foreigners

[Joanne98]

Source: Star Tribune


WASHINGTON - Former Vice President Walter Mondale will be awarded one of Japan's top Imperial decorations in a ceremony this evening at the Japanese ambassador's residence.

The former Minnesota senator, who served as President Clinton's ambassador to Japan from 1993 to 1997, will be given the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Paulownia Flowers, the highest honor the Japanese government bestows on foreigners.

A spokeswoman for Japanese Ambassador Ichiro Fujisaki said the award was made to recognize Mondale's contributions to U.S.-Japanese relations, both as an ambassador and as a private citizen. Mondale was credited with helping normalize trade relations between the U.S. and Japan, two of the world's largest economies. Since the end of his diplomatic service, Mondale has continued to foster educational and cultural ties between the two nations.

Mondale, 81, was vice president under President Carter, and ran himself for the Oval Office in 1984. He had largely retired from public life by 2002 when, after the death of DFL Sen. Paul Wellstone, he was tapped to run for the U.S. Senate against Republican Norm Coleman.



Read more: http://www.startribune.com/politics/state/40362482.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUUJ

[blueclown]

1. Well deserved.

He should have been president, instead of the filthy rotten scumbag that beat him in 1984.

[Taverner]

2. Awesome. Can't help but ask "Is it the Golden Gaijin Award?"

Sorry - I KEEL MYSELF :rofl:

[goclark]

3. Well deserved ~ I was in Japan in the late 80's and

he addressed the group of Educators on our tour.

Happy for him.

[MrsMatt]

4. Both Mondales have been great U.S. ambassadors to Japan

a case could be made that Joan deserves it just as much as Walter. Love them both.

[ibsinc]

5. Paulownia Flowers and Their Significance

"Grand Cordon of the Order of the Paulownia Flowers" The reason paulownia flowers were selected for this award is paulownia is considered the miracle tree. The fastest growing tree in the world. This distinction is given to distinguished individuals such as Mondale for the dramatic and positive changes that were made in relations between the US and Japan. For more information on the miracles of paulownia you may refer to the web site www.paulownianow.org

[ConcernedCanuk]

6. Great information and Welcome to DU!

.
.
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from your link:

"Paulownia trees have come into the spotlight worldwide for their ability to produce high quality timber at a much faster rate than any other hardwood tree. "

VERY interesting

You may want to post something about this site in the Environment/Energy Forum

here >> http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=115

Welcome again!

[ogneopasno]

7. How wonderful for him! He totally deserves it. If only he had beat Coleman...but he did excellent

work the rest of his career, of course.

[cobalt1999]

8. I'm not a Mondale fan.

He did fine as an ambassador to Japan, so he deserves his little award, but otherwise I'm glad he's been out of any real power for a long time.