Wanda English Burnett, Editor

Japanese political leaders participating in an exchange program with the American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL), received a warm welcome from Ripley County political leaders when they made a stop in Versailles last Friday, January 18.

The entourage, hosted by Dee Dee Benkie, Versailles Town Council member, and a former member of the (ACYPL) Board of Trustees, made its way from Indianapolis to loop a circle through Decatur, Ripley and Dearborn counties and back to Indianapolis. Of all the places they visited, Versailles was by far their favorite, according to Benkie. “They were touched by the warm welcome,” she told The Versailles Republican, “I think it was their favorite stop.”

Nine high ranging prominent Japanese political leaders, along with three interpreters, visited Indianapolis and southeastern Indiana where they were able to talk with other political leaders, learn about the culture of the area and economic development. The purpose of the exchange program is to promote mutual understanding, allow the delegates to see the American political system at the national, state and local levels, provide perspective on American culture and let the participants talk with their American counterparts on international issues, forging professional relationships.

They toured the new Honda plant in Greensburg, then had lunch at the Grub Co. in Osgood on Friday, where they sampled “home” cooking. When one visitor asked to sample grits, the staff quickly rallied. Although grits are not on the menu at the local restaurant and were explained to the visitors as a more “southern” food, they were quickly whipped up and served. The lunch was compliments of Southeastern Indiana REMC, with Barry Lauber welcoming the group with bags filled with gifts.

The group continued their tour of the county by stopping at the Versailles Town Hall, where they learned about small town government. They were each presented a “key” to the town, along with a variety of other gifts. A delegation of students from the South Ripley Student Council were present to welcome them: Olivia Gilpin, Liz Hicks, Rebecca Swinney and Nick Grider. There were smiles around the room when it was noted that Nick had joined the military.

At the town hall, the guests were interested in life in the town with questions such as: Do you have much crime, and what do the young people do for entertainment?

The guests then stopped at the courthouse where they were treated like celebrities. Office holders formed a line to greet them and gifts were presented from each office. Ripley County Commissioner President Robert Reiners read a proclamation, “We welcome the ACYPL to Ripley County. We are honored to be your destination host this day and we extend our hand in friendship. While the place you call home is far from here, we recognize that our similarities are much greater than our differences.”
In his speech, Reiners told the guests the people of Ripley County are “unique and much like the people in Japan.” He explained, “they are people who show respect to their fellow neighbor, are hard working and honorable, living up to their commitments.”

At the courthouse, Barry Lauber, who serves as president of the Ripley County Redevelopment Committee and Chamber of Commerce, gave gifts of hats, personalized shirts, and Ripley County afghans to each of the honored guests. The logo on the hats and shirts reflect the message of the county to the Japanese political leaders: the American flag and Japanese flag crossed with the words “Proud Partners.” The Japanese guests love to receive gifts, and also brought gifts for political leaders and others here.

The Japanese group was surprised when they were greeted by someone from their country, in their language. Ai Odishema Brown, now a Versailles resident, addressed the group saying she loved living here. They couldn’t believe she lived just down the road. There were many smiles in the room as Ai’s soft voice was heard. She is the wife of Chris Brown, who recently completed his 10th year with the US Navy and has settled in Ripley County with his wife, Ai and two children.

“I was proud to be a part of welcoming the Japanese guests to Versailles,” noted Ginger Bradford, Ripley County clerk. She said she is proud of the efforts made by Benkie to bring economic development to our area. She describes Benkie as a hard worker, dedicated to preserving history with futuristic goals at the same time. “She is a great asset to our town, I believe things will start to move and shake,” smiled Bradford, adding, “we are lucky to have someone like her.”

The group would next travel to the shovel ready Versailles Business Park just south of town. There Mr. Yamato Aoyama told hostess Benkie, “I will help you.” He noted that he was very impressed with the people of the area and the foundation that has been laid to bring business in. “Many of them were very interested in economic development and what it means to an area like ours,” stated Benkie. The delegation understood the concept of people loving to live in Ripley County and longing to have good jobs close to their homes. “You have so much here,” one delegate noted, saying they have to put their gardens on rooftops. They were impressed with the spaciousness, the beauty as they toured the Versailles State Park and paused for a photo at the historic covered bridge.

“I was so proud to be from Versailles,” noted Benkie, as she told how everyone pitched in to make the group feel welcome. “Jerry Gilpin helped with anything I asked, the town council members were great, government officials, everyone,” she continued. Having served as a special assistant to the senior advisor for President George Bush in the White House in 2002, Benkie had hosted a group from the ACYPL before. She also has participated in the program by traveling as a delegate to Hungary and Romania in 2005.

“I wanted them to remember my hometown (Versailles),” Benkie noted. She was assured by the visitors they would “never forget the warm welcome from the people in Versailles.”

The visiting ACYPL delegation toured points of interest in Indianapolis, the State House, Indy 500, attended a Pacers game, and toured the John Force Racing in Brownsburg and more. Indianapolis Mayor Ballard was an exceptional host, according to Benkie. They met with Governor Mitch Daniels, who was a 1979 ACYPL delegate to the Middle East, along with other high ranking state officials. They met with officials from the new Honda plant in Greensburg, the Lawrenceburg city government, and were treated to a night at the Argosy Casino.

Before coming to Indiana, where Benkie was their exclusive host, they met in Washington, D.C. and visited Florida before returning to Japan.

The ACYPL is recognized by the U.S. Congress as a pre-eminent catalyst for introducing rising political leaders and policy makers to international affairs and to each other. The bi-partisan, not-for-profit organization has been exchanging delegations with Japan through the Japan Center for International Exchange (JCIE) since 1971. This makes the ACYPL-JCIE exchange one of the longest standing bilateral partnerships of the ACYPL. It was noted that 11 members of the Japanese House of Representatives, are prominent alumni of the exchange.

“These are rising stars, who are leaders now and future leaders as well,” noted Benkie. “I feel fortunate to have hosted this impressive group.” The group consisted of: Mr. Yamato Aoyama (DPJ - Democratic Party of Japan) member, Ibaraki Prefectural Assembly; Ms. Hiyuko Fujita (Delegation Escort), program assistant, Japan Center for International Exchange (JCIE); Mr. Hiroki Iwamatsu (LDP - Liberal Democratic Party), staff member, LDP Party Headquarters; Ms. Rika Kitagawa (New Komeito Party), reporter, Hokkaido Branch, The Komei Shimbun; Ms. Junko Kiyono (DPJ) staff researcher, DPJ Policy Research committee; Mr. Masayoshi Kuboya (DPJ) Assistant to Mr. Tsurunen Marutei, member of the Japanese House of Councilors; Mr. Yasuhiro Masujima (New Komeito Party) staff member, System Development Division, New Komeito Party; Mr. Shingo Miyabara (LDP) assistant to Mr. Kenji Kosaka, member of the Japanese House of Representatives; and Ms. Keiko Ogawa (LDP) member, Nerima City Assembly, where she represents over a half million people.

WANDA ENGLISH BURNETT PHOTO Above: Commissioner President Robert Reiners welcomed the visitors to the county seat with a small reception on the first floor lobby of the Ripley County Courthouse in Versailles. Right: There are no barriers when it comes to babies! After going through the buffet line at the Osgood Grub Co., one of the Japanese delegates stopped to make over Taylor Swinney, who is pictured with her grandmother Ruth Westerman of Osgood. Not pictured, but also having lunch was Taylor's brother, Justin, 4, and friend, Goldy Conley of Versailles.