Record #: R2014-201   
Type: Resolution Status: Adopted
Intro date: 3/5/2014 Current Controlling Legislative Body:
Final action: 3/5/2014
Title: Congratulations and welcome extended to Yoshimitsu Yamada, Shihan on 50th anniversary as Aikido instructor in United States
Sponsors: Pawar, Ameya
Attachments: 1. R2014-201.pdf
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, On April 26-27, 2014 the Midwest Aikido Center at 4349 N. Damen Avenue will host a special Celebration Seminar honoring Yoshimitsu Yamada, Shihan, 8th Dan, President of the United States Aikido Federation (USAF) for his 50 years of teaching Aikido in the United States; and
WHEREAS, Aikido is a defensive Japanese martial art based on graceful and balanced movement with techniques designed to overcome attackers without injury to them and that its highest ideal is the achievement of a harmonious state of mind through the unification of mind and body; and
WHEREAS, The Midwest Aikido Center, established in 1975, a long and valued institution in the City of Chicago and the 47th Ward, grew and thrived in its mission to disseminate the art of Aikido in the City of Chicago and Midwest beginning under the direction of its founder, the late Aikira Tohei, 8th Dan (1929-1999), also a co-founder of the United States Aikido Federation (USAF) and, later, his senior students; and
WHEREAS, Yoshimitsu Yamada, Shihan 8th Dan, President and co-founder of the United States Aikido Federation, Chairman of the USAF Technical Committee and Chief Instructor, New York Akikai, came to the United States from Japan for the New York World's Fair of 1964 to begin his successful life's work of teaching and spreading the art of Aikido throughout the Eastern United States, Europe, and South America; and
WHEREAS, The Midwest Aikido Center is a member dojo of the United States Aikido Federation, its instructors are under the direction of Yamada Sensei, and has been long been honored by the instruction and friendship of Yamada Sensei; and
WHEREAS, On April 26-27 Aikido students and instructors from throughout the United States and world will travel to the Midwest Aikido Center in Chicago to Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Yoshimitsu Yamada Shihan's arrival in the United States to instruct students in Aikido; therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and Members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled this 5th day of March, 2014, do hereby extend a warm welcome to Yoshimitsu Yamada, Shihan on behalf of the City of Chicago, and congratulate him for his dedication, efforts, and success teaching Aikido in the United States for the past fifty years; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that two copies of this Resolution be prepared for Mr.
Yoshimitsu Yamada and the Midwest Aikido Center with our heartfelt good wishes for their
continued success.