Office of the Mayor
Proclamation
Lawrence, Kansas
WHEREAS: Godzilla is one of the world's most celebrated and enduring cinematic icons, having appeared in twenty-eight feature films and entertained audiences young and old around the globe; and
WHEREAS: The Godzilla films paved the way for other Japanese pop culture exports, from AstroBoy and Speed Racer to Hello Kitty, Iron Chef and Pokemon, to gain international followings; and
WHEREAS: 2004 marks the fiftieth anniversary of the release of the original Godzilla film, Gojira, in Japan; and
WHEREAS: The Center for East Asian Studies at the University of Kansas will host the world's largest celebration of Godzilla's fiftieth birthday, entitled "In Godzilla's Footsteps: Japanese Pop Culture Icons on the Global Stage"; and
WHEREAS: Programs will include a two-day conference featuring scholars from around the world, screenings of three classic Godzilla films, a staged reading of original plays, exhibitions at museums and libraries, and a series of talks and book-signings; and
WHEREAS: All events will be held in Lawrence, Kansas, and will be entirely free of charge and open to all who appreciate Godzilla;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Mike Rundle, Mayor of the City of Lawrence, Kansas, do hereby proclaim October 24 – 30 to be
in Lawrence and urge all citizens to bow down and heed the King of the Monsters.
October 19, 2004