Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke is pleased to announce plans to host representatives
from Tochigi City, Japan in Evansville on May 1 and 2. The five-member Tochigi City delegation will visit
Evansville to re-affirm the sister city relationship between the two cities. The meeting will be the first
between Evansville’s newly elected mayor and Tochigi City Mayor Toshimi Suzuki, who took office in
April 2010 when the former Tochigi City merged with four nearby towns.
“It is my pleasure to welcome our esteemed guests from Tochigi City, Japan to Evansville to celebrate
our continuing friendship and to re-affirm our commitment to fostering a mutual understanding
between our two cultures,†Mayor Winnecke said. “We have two days full of activities planned to
showcase some of the highlights of our city, and I look forward to spending personal time getting to
know Mayor Suzuki.â€
Mayor Suzuki will be accompanied by Hideko Okawa, Chairwoman (President) of Tochigi City Council;
Hiroyuki Wakui, Head (President) of Secretariat (Directors) of Tochigi City Council; Hiroshi Sotome,
Secretary to Mayor Suzuki; and Yuka Suzuki, translator to Mayor Suzuki.
Mayor Winnecke has extended an invitation to the media to attend the official Signing of Re-Affirmation
Ceremony, the official Welcome Reception and the official Farewell Reception and Dinner.
May 1
5:15 p.m. Signing of Re-Affirmation Ceremony, Mayor’s Office, Room 302 at the Civic Center
6:00 p.m. Official Welcome Reception, the Ford Center
Note: The Tochigi City delegation will be escorted from the Civic Center by a procession from the
Evansville Fire Department Pipe and Drum Corps. Members of the Glenwood Drumline will be inside the
Ford Center ready to play when the delegation enters the building.
May 2
5:45 p.m. Cocktail Reception, University of Southern Indiana Carter Hall
6:00 p.m. Official Farewell Dinner and Reception, University of