CCCJ 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award

Good evening ladies and gentlemen. Welcome again to the Maple Leaf Ball 2008, where “all that glitters is Canada!” I would like to give thanks to our sponsor, Air Canada, for the donation tickets for the raffle, and to Ed Durbrow for his participation in playing the lute for us tonight. Also, I would like to recognize Her Highness Princess Takamado and thank her for her kind support to the CCCJ. Thank you… However, there is one person in particular that we are honoring tonight.

For the continuous effort to improve our organization, we will be giving the Chamber’s Lifetime Achievement Award. This year’s award includes a three-night stay voucher at the Hilton Hotel, an assortment of fine wines, and an 18-carrot gold diamond brooch, which was graciously donated to us by Sakamoto Ginza. In addition to this award, the winner will be flown by Air Canada free of charge in first class seating back to Canada. When the winner arrives at the airport, he will be given the money amount of 5,000 CAD which was funded by last year’s raffle. Before bestowing this award, however, let’s take a moment to remember this unique individual for his numerous contributions to the CCCJ and to Japan as well.

First of all, I would like to say that this person has shown an amazing resiliency to the challenges of conducting successful business practices in Japan. Working for the CCCJ for over 25 years, this member has been a leader and friend to many of us just starting to make our way in the financial market. This person shares with us the values of commitment and progressive improvement of the relationship between our two countries, and has never let us down. Last year, this member was the chair of the Maple Leaf Ball Committee, putting an incredible amount of time into the detailed planning and organization of this event, and prepared speeches as the Master of Ceremonies. Also, this person has helped the Chamber push for more equal trade agreements by writing up position papers such as the Request for a Prompt Conclusion of a Canada-Japan Pension Agreement. However, for those of us staying overseas, this will be our last event with him in Japan. This month, he will be returning to Canada after his long campaign here in Westin Tokyo, and we will certainly miss his enthusiastic presence in Japan.

But this member has also made an impact in the Japanese business realm as well. By proposing an extension of the Kansai runway and helping to build resources to fund this project, this member was able to relieve congestion at Narita Airport, thus providing all other foreign business persons greatly-needed seating and available flights in and out of Japan. In fact, some of you here tonight may have benefited from this member’s proposal and contribution.

More than just a hard-working member, this person is also my close friend. I remember when he and I were under serious pressure from the Social Policy Committee to write up a research report to use in the Pension Agreement. The evening before the report was due; I got tied up at work and had to put in extra hours at the home office. When I called him to say that I wouldn’t have my part in on time, he just replied, “Jimmy, I got your back.” This, to me, spoke volumes about this man’s character and his commitment not only his friends, but also to the work he accomplished for the Chamber. Without question, this is a man that truly represents what we stand for and strive to be at the end of the day.

He is loyal, reliable, and is certainly the best candidate for this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award. It is my great pleasure to invite my old friend back to the stage tonight. Would you please stand with me, ladies and gentlemen, as I honor Kirk Patterson for his outstanding work! What an immense achievement! Congratulations Kirk!