News
Japanese Foreign Minister’s Commendation Awarded to Georgian Carolyn Crayton
Media Advisory November 8, 2011
Contact: Joseph Huntemann, Consulate General of Japan, 404-926-3021, huntemann@cgjapanatlanta.org
Japanese Foreign Minister’s Commendation Awarded to Georgian Carolyn Crayton
From 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm on October 27, 2011, a ceremony was held to present Ms. Carolyn Crayton with the Japanese Foreign Minister’s Commendation at the official residence of Consul General Takuji Hanatani. The award, given to eight individuals and three groups from the United States this year, is presented to those who have made great contributions in the promotion of friendship between Japan and other countries. As the founder and Executive Director Emeritus of the Macon Cherry Blossom Festival, Ms. Crayton has been an instrumental individual in promoting Japan-U.S. relations in Georgia and the southeastern U.S.
For 30 years, the Cherry Blossom Festival has been an integral part of Macon’s event calendar. Originally a project Ms. Crayton undertook as part of her activities on the “Keep Macon-Bibb BeautifulCommission,” the planting of Yoshino cherry trees around the city of Macon continues to this day, and the Cherry Blossom Festival has grown to encompass a 10-day schedule filled with hundreds of events. In recent years the number of cherry trees has exploded to 300,000, and the festival averages more than 300,000 attendees over its two-week period.
In attendance were 42 guests of honor, friends, and family who have worked with Ms. Crayton over the years to make the Macon Cherry Blossom Festival the success that it is today. Notable guests included Georgia Dept. of Community Affairs Commissioner Mike Beaty, Robert Reichert, Mayor of Macon, GA; Major General Robert McMahon, Base Commander of Robins Air Force Base, GA; and Ms. Karen Lambert, President and CEO of the Macon Cherry Blossom Festival.
About the Consulate General of Japan:
The Consulate General of Japan in Atlanta is an overseas establishment of the Government of Japan. The main function of our office is to protect Japanese nationals and economic interests, provide consular services and cultural exchange. There are 16 Japanese diplomatic missions in the United States. The jurisdiction of our office in Atlanta is Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.
# # #
