Hello Everyone!

We hope that you are thoroughly enjoying your summer.  Many of you are
probably working this summer to earn tuition funds for this coming year. 
Others of you may be fortunate enough to be studying abroad or just
relaxing by the pool somewhere sipping on your cocktails.  Whatever it may
be please remember to find your mission where you are right now.

Today marks the anniversary of the student division's establishment in
Japan.  The student division is the last division President Toda created. 
In a recent speech, President Ikeda recalled his conversations with
President Toda in regards to the student division.  He said that President
Toda wished that a certain percentage of the student division should
become lawyers, doctors, politicians, teachers, etc.  President Ikeda
stated that he was able to fulfill this dream of President Toda's and now
the graduates of Soka University and the graduates of the student division
are contributing to society in these areas more than any other university
in Japan.

President Ikeda also asked the student division to take full
responsibility for the entire kosen-rufu movement.

There is approximately six to eight weeks left before it is time to go
back to class, hit the books, and enjoy the fall season with its rich
earthy colored leaves and crisp refreshing breeze (of course this depends
upon where one resides).  But in any case, we just want to say that we
hope you are having a great summer.  We also look forward to seeing many
of you at the Student Division Conference at the FNCC to be held from
August 17-20!  (By the way please check your with your local region youth
leaders about open seats because we still have some!!!)

All our best,
Boston, Maggie, Wendy and Daisaku

The ceremonial opening of Soka University will be on May 3rd, 2001 and it
will welcome its first 100 students in August of the same year.  Students
from all over the world will be seeking to attend this university which
promises to be state-of-art in not only the capacity of its facility but
more importantly in its nurturing of future leaders for society. 
President Ikeda has recently stated that Soka University of America will
become a new path for humanity, a new path of hope and a new path of
courage.

In a recent message he also stated, "next year Soka University will open
at last.  It is my fervent wish and prayer that through your united
strength you will ensure the success of this major undertaking, which will
mark the beginning of a new era.  Soka University of America is the symbol
of hope for the entire world and a guidepost for humanity's future."

I have noticed that in almost every message President Ikeda has sent to
SGI-USA this year he has mentioned about three things.  He has spoken
about propagation, Soka Spirit, and Soka University of America.  It was
also brought up recently by the SGI-USA General Director Daniel Nagashima
to not forget about genuine, sincere care of our friends and comrades. 
This was recently termed Soka Care.

Based upon Soka Care I am newly determined to continue my endeavors in
propagation, double my efforts in Soka Spirit, and help ensure that Soka
University of America receive a flow of capable people who want to help
build and help realize their dreams as well as the dreams of President
Ikeda.
-Daisaku Leslie

To write to President Ikeda, please use the following address:
SGI Building
North America Bureau
15-3 Samoncho
Shinjuku-ku
Tokyo 160
JAPAN


You can also fax your message to him from any community center, or by
using the following fax number (SGI Headquarters, Shinanomachi, Japan)
011-81-3-5360-9881