Speakers at the morning press conference included Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance).

bit and spur maker and silversmith (Lovell.traditional Lakota artist and educator (Omaha.

Now I am here thanks to the unconditional support of my family — my late husband.)Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus of North America.a centuries-old Japanese folk dance rooted in the Buddhist tradition of communal gathering to honor and celebrate the memory of ancestors.

Now to be recognized here in Washington.Her acceptance speech: Thank you very much to the NEA and to the support of NCTA (National Council for the Traditional Arts) and the Folklife Center for this incredible honor.

who have always been there and are here tonight.

The event included remarks by NEA Senior Advisor Mary Anne Carter.This was the first time that the descendants of the two families had met.

a descendant of Oto Matsugoro.great-grandson of Matsugoro and Miwa Oto.

but their connection was not limited to the Wakamatsu Colony.The descendants of Sakichi Yanagisawa and his wife Nami.