Mayor Dwaine Caraway: Dallas 'Praying for Hope and Strength' for Devastated Sendai, Our International Friendship City

Mayor Dwaine Caraway: Dallas "Praying for Hope and Strength" for Devastated Sendai, Our International Friendship City

By Robert Wilonsky Fri., Mar. 11 2011 at 1:03 PM

Then-Mayor Laura Miller arriving in Sendai in 2007

As the Japan-American Society of Dallas/Fort Worth's website points out, "Dallas and Sendai became International Friendship Cities in August 1997, when Mayor Ron Kirk and Mayor Hajimu Fujii signed a formal agreement in Sendai." Which is why, shortly after the 8.9-magnitude quake and tsunami struck off the shore of that city, Mayor Dwaine Caraway sent to his counterpart, Mayor Emiko Okuyama, the letter of condolence you'll find on the other side. Writes Caraway: "Everyone in our city is watching the events unfold in your country with great sadness at the destruction, but we are praying for hope and strength for your city and your nation in the days ahead."

Chris Heinbaugh also reminds, in an accompanying release:

In recent years Dallas, in conjunction with the World Affairs Council and the Japan American Society of Dallas, has sent a pair of runners to participate in the Sendai International Half Marathon. In 2007, Mayor Laura Miller accompanied the runners.

Since '97, several council members have also visited Sendai: Max Wells, Don Hicks, Steve Salazar, Barbara Mallory Caraway, Ed Oakley, Mark Housewright and Pauline Medrano.

And: Our own Danny Hurley sends word that SMU's Dedman College Dean William Tsutsui -- who we mentioned last summer -- is in Tokyo at this very moment, blogging here about what's happening there. Caraway Letrter to Sendai

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Hmmm...

I was hoping he would explain why he doesn't want the police report from their visit to his house made public. I doubt his verbal explanation would be as well put as this written letter from his office staff.

DoubleOJoe

And considering Sendai is the closest major city to the epicenter of the first and most powerful earthquake, I'm sure Mayor Okuyama will be reading that ASAP. Goodness knows the mail will get there on time.

Mayor Caraway, sarcasm aside, I'm actually glad you sent that. It shows that you're actually aware of things happening around you, which is a good thing. Maybe instead of a letter, though, you could perhaps announce that you'll be having the city organize a fundraiser for disaster relief? This letter is a good thing. We can and should more for a sister city, though.

Geraldblow

Th question is why is this letter th sum total of our citys response t this terrible disaster?

LaceyB

I do really feel for the people of Sendai and wish them the best in their recovery. But, seems that being Friends with Dallas has been terrible luck for them.

However, Al Gore does have a nifty PowerPoint about why the quake is happening. Somewhere, he's doing "Mr Burn's hands" right about now.