每日评论0806 永远睡熟了的老友

永远睡熟了的老友

数百位社区人士及休斯敦市长惠特曼参加了好友格兰权籐的追思纪念会,我们特别為他製作一份在社区活动之照片图,再次看到他的微笑和对生命之热爱. 心中仍然无法平息对格兰之思念和感恩。

三十多年来,我们不但是至友及事业上之好伙伴,他在我们创业之过程中不断伸出援手。二十多年前当休斯敦国际贸易中心成立时他是创办人之一,当我们倡议在国际区兴建老人公寓时他立即答应参与。凡是我们在社区举办之大小活动，他都是準时出席并慷慨资助。多少年来在他主持下把日本节办得有声有色，休斯敦大商会他一直是主要之董事成员。

两年多年我接到格兰的电话邀我一同参加徳州参议员惠特曼参选市长之活动,我和他欣然同意前往橡园大酒店，首次见到惠特曼参议员,当然他后来当选為市长。

多少年来我们共同畅游过台北,上海,北京和新加坡等各大城市,他虽然是在美国出生第三代的日裔美人,当他在旅游中品嚐到各式美食及文化时他也是以亚裔人士為荣。

我和格兰及前休斯敦纪事日报老总罗地沙是多年高尔夫球上之球友,虽然大家球技平平,但仍然能共度欢乐时光。二十多年前在一次圣诞节晚会上我们见到了HEB高管，也為格兰有缘创建了日本寿司店之传奇。

格兰常对我说一句话”李兄,每天早上我醒来时庆幸自己还活着。” 此语再次廻盪在我心头,但是他这次已经永久沉睡下去了, 格兰, 希望您继续沉睡吧！

Glen, Please Rest In Peace

Dear Mr. Mayor, County Judge, our Congressman Al Green, Katy, Robert, Donna many of our friends --
Tonight we are gathered here to memorialize and celebrate Glen‘s life. I would like to represent the Republic of Guinea to express our deepest condolences to Katy and Robert. We were in Washington, DC visiting the Guinean Embassy and planned to rush back to attend your Golden Fifty Years Anniversary. Glen also promised the Ambasador that we would visit Guinea next year.
Today, I would also like to represent Gary, Jim, Judge Robert Eckels, JP Park, Ambasador Kebede and My wife Catherine to memorialize the many things we have been doing together with Glen.
Glen and I traveled to Taipei, Shanghai, Beijing and Singapore together with Congressman Al Green.
Twenty-two years ago, myself, Glen and Jim Noteware were the founders of the Houston International Trade Center. Three years ago Jim, myself and Glen were working on a new180 units senior housing project for the International District. Four years ago, with the leadership of JP Park and Judge Robert Eckels, we finally opened Global One Bank to serve our community.
Today, if you walk down in the International District on Bellaire Blvd, you will see our new bank building, the International Trade Center and many businesses in our District. Glen organized the Japan Festival and always joined us to celebrate the Lunar New Year together.
Almost three years ago, Glen called me early in the morning and told me, “Hi Wea, my old friend Texas Senator John Whitmire wants to run for Mayor. Let's go support him.” One week later we went to the Post Oak Hotel to meet John Whitmire.
Mr. Mayor, we all love this great city. Jim and I will continue to finish the senior housing project in the International District and the building of Global One Bank is almost finished.
Glen once told me, “Wea, I feel so lucky. When I wake up in the morning, I am still alive.” Glen, you might not wake up again, so please rest in peace and smile.