The Japan-US Friendship Commission, CULCON and the Bridging Foundation mourn the loss of Speaker and Ambassador Thomas S. Foley. Ambassador Foley was a dedicated public servant who had close ties to Japan and the Japanese people. In addition to his service as United States Ambassador to Japan, he played a special role at the Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission, CULCON and the U.S.-Japan Bridging Foundation. During his service from 1984 through 1992, he helped elevate the dialogue on the importance of educational and cultural exchange between the United States and Japan. In addition, he was an early advocate and champion of Congressional-Diet exchanges, and participated in exchanges supported by the Commission.

Chairman Theirry Porté said, “Ambassador Foley was an active leader of the US-Japan relationship in all respects. He was an early and strong supporter of the US-Japan Bridging Foundation because he could see the importance of bring American college students to interact with their peers in Japan. The Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission, the Bridging Foundation and CULCON will miss his energy and commitment to America’s relationship with Japan.”

We thank Ambassador Foley for his dedicated service, and will fondly remember him.

The following was entered into the Congressional Record to honor the six-year service of Mr. Thierry Porté as Chairman of the U.S. CULCON Panel as well as the Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission and as Vice Chair of the U.S.-Japan Bridging Foundation. Thierry’s term ends at the end of this calendar year and we will miss him! […]