Mukai charms legislators

Japanese Astronaut Chiaki Mukai drew praise and admiration from members and staff of the Legislature in a brief visit yesterday at the Capitol Hill in which they bestowed her honorary citizenship and a token CNMI driver’s license.

The heart surgeon from Tokyo, who is on a three-day visit on the island, expressed gratitude for the recognition given by the Legislature as she signed autographs and posed with lawmakers and their staff.

Senate President Paul A. Manglona praised Mukai for providing inspiration to the people of the Commonwealth, especially students who look after her as a role model.

Two resolutions conferred the status of honorary citizen to the astronaut as well as recognized the efforts of Japan’s National Science Development Agency to reach out to neighboring islands in the Asia Pacific by bringing Mukai to the CNMI.

In a brief speech, Mukai related the triumph and obstacles that she has had to endure before achieving her goal — becoming the first Japanese woman to fly to the outer space twice as well as being part of a mission aboard Discovery last year to do research on the aging process with veteran U.S. astronaut and now senator, John Glenn.

“If you can dream it, you can do it,” she told a dozen members and staff of the Legislature during her 30-minute courtesy call. She was accompanied by Hideshi Kozawa, Marianas Visitors Authority officials and CNMI Resident Representative to Washington Juan N. Babauta.

Mukai said she hopes to visit the island again to enjoy various attractions here, joking that she has already had three things to compel her to go back — the honorary citizenship, the driver’s license and the key to CNMI which was given to her by Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio when she arrived Sunday.

In what maybe a revelation, Mukai’s audience with legislators prompted some to wax poetic lines, a far cry from usual activities in the Legislature where their passions for beautiful words are lost amid heated debates.

“As you were landing at the CNMI, you mentioned that you saw a rainbow,” said Rep. Melvin Faisao. “That rainbow symbolized a pot of gold here.”

He added: “As you were orbiting around the earth, you might not have noticed the CNMI because we are just a dot in the vast Pacific ocean, but your visit here makes us a big spot on earth.”

Rep. Heinz Hofschneider, on the other hand, emphasized her role as good model to young students who are aspiring also to become an astronaut as well as her capability to boost their morale.

“I will do my best, with people’s help,” quipped Mukai who, as a token of her appreciation, gave a commemorative souvenir of her space explorations.

This is her first visit to the CNMI where she addressed the ongoing nurses’ convention and toured several schools. Mukai will leave this afternoon for Tokyo.