Imperial Awards Ceremony: David Schmidt is conferred the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays from Consul General of the Consulate-General of Japan in Miami Kenji Hirata.
David Schmidt, a partner at the law offices of Simon and Schmidt, has been recognized by the Government of Japan with one of the highest ranking civilian honors awarded to those who contributed to strengthening bilateral relations between Japan and other countries, the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays.
Schmidt received the honor from Consul General of Japan for Florida Kenji Hirata at a celebration hosted by Sister Cities of Delray Beach which was attended by City of Delray Beach Mayor Shelly Petrolia, Deputy Vice-Mayor Shirley Johnson, City Manager Mark R. Lauzier, Economic Development Director at Delray Beach CRA Joan K. Goodrich and other local dignitaries. Schmidt is in his fourteenth year as president of Sister Cities of Delray Beach, which has a sister city affiliation with Miyazu, Kyoto, Japan.
“I have visited Japan several times accompanying high school exchange students as well as for anniversary celebrations or economic and business development discussions.” Schmidt said. “I have enjoyed meeting the people in Miyazu and have developed friendships with several people. As I tell our students who travel to Japan, while there are cultural and language differences, there are many similarities as the common denominator is that we are all human beings.”
Shelly Petrolia-David Schmidt- Kenji Hirata: City of Delray Beach Mayor Shelly Petrolia, David Schmidt and Consul General of the Consulate-General of Japan in Miami Kenji Hirata.
One of the highlights of the event was a presentation by students from Atlantic High School recounting their trip to Miyazu serving as ambassadors and learning about academics and lifestyles in Japan. Schmidt was instrumental in establishing the high school exchange program in which a group of Delray Beach students travel to Miyazu for nine days to stay with families and attend high school with their host student. As part of the program, Miyazu also sends students to Delray Beach.
Schmidt also served on the board of trustees of the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens for a total of more than 17 years including holding the office of secretary, first vice president and president.
“David Schmidt truly deserves this honor,” said Consul General of Japan for Florida Kenji Hirata. “His dedication to the Sister Cities relationship to Miyazu and his important work to ensure the stability of the Morikami during the recent economic downturn has provided many avenues for both Floridians and people in Japan to learn about our individual cultures and strengthen the friendship between Japan and Florida.”
Active in the community, Schmidt has been recognized with the Cultural and Civic Activities Award by the Palm Beach County Bar Association, the Ken Ellingsworth Community Service Award by the Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce, the Community Service Award by Community Neighbors Helping Neighbors and he was named a Hixson Fellow by Kiwanis International.
After graduating from Atlantic High School in Delray Beach, Schmidt received his undergraduate degree at Davidson College in North Carolina and his juris doctor from the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill.
For more information about the Consulate-General of Japan in Miami, visit http://www.miami.us.emb-japan.go.jp/itprtop_en/index.html or call (305) 530-9090.
