Photos: Akiko Sato Fredricks
Inspired by Rotary founder Paul Harris, Rotarians have long been planting trees to symbolize enduring friendships and fellowship, to beautify parks and communities, and to contribute to a greener world.
On the occasion of the 2022 Rotary International Convention in Houston** from June 4-8, members of the Rotary Club of Chicago, which was established by Paul Harris in 1905, and their sister club in Japan, Rotary Club of Tokyo-West, which includes Shibuya Ward, Setagaya Ward, Oota Ward, Meguro Ward and Shinagawa Ward, joined forces to plant three (3) sakura trees in the Japanese Garden.
JASH Vice Present Yuzuru Nagawa, who is also Chair of Hermann Park Conservancy’s Japanese Garden Advisory Committee, emceed the planting ceremony. Iris Clawson-Davis expressed gratitude on behalf of the City of Houston Parks and Houston Parks and Recreation Department. Chicago Rotary Club Immediate Past President Erik Cempel shared the history of the tree planting tradition. Tokyo-West Rotary Club President Hironori Kubo highlighted the importance of the trees as a symbol of goodwill.
Consul General Hirofumi Murabayashi joined Cempel and Kubo in the planting of the trees.
Houston’s Japanese Garden was selected for the tree planting as the Japanese Garden is marking its 30th anniversary.
We are grateful to the Rotary Club of Chicago and the Rotary Club of Tokyo-West for this special gift, and we look forward to seeing the cherry blossoms bloom.
**This is Houston’s third Rotary convention. It also hosted the Rotary world in 1914 and 1972.