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把一個人的生命全部呈現在一本自傳裡面是很龐大的使命，尤其是當作者能夠走過非常豐碩飽滿的人生旅途。雖然我沒有在林錫智生命的開端時就認識他，但我很高興能夠在1993和他結識至今。那一年我首次參選並當選為黎霧市市議員。從1985年到1993年錫智擔任了四任，兩年一任的市議員之後，在同一年從議會退休。1988年林議員提議由堪薩斯州黎霧市和臺灣的宜蘭市締結為姊妹市，錫智出生並成長於宜蘭，至今仍有家人住在那兒，他在臺灣也有事業。三十餘年的姊妹市情誼和所結交的許多朋友讓黎霧市居民有完美的機會來擴展我們的視野，和充實我們的生命。
1997年我當選為黎霧市市長之後，很榮幸地於1998年率領代表團到宜蘭慶祝締結姊妹市十周年紀念。錫智和他的愛妻忠慧也是訪問團的成員，在那第一次的交換訪問當中，我深刻感受到他是一位卓越的發言人，非常具有外交辭令。他對和每一位見面的人之間的溝通能力，與他和對方搭橋的專長是最好的見證。他很平易近人、有愛國心、開朗，對自己的時間和財富的施捨也非常慷慨。他對美國和臺灣兩方政府的架構瞭若指掌，指導我們兩國之間的歷史、食物、習慣和傳統。也因為他具有流利的中文溝通能力，也就順便充當我的中文翻譯。
在我擔任市長任期至今，很榮幸有機會訪問臺灣三次。我們也經常有宜蘭市的訪問團來到黎霧市訪問。在多次成功的互訪中，錫智總是義不容辭的扮演重要的角色。他居住在黎霧市二十六年，舉家遷往加州鑽石吧市之後，也沒有停止繼續支持和參與代表團的參訪活動。他總能夠調整行程遠道前來參與，並提供指導和協助。
隨著時間增長，黎霧和宜蘭之間也締結了姐妹學校，我們的北藍谷高中和宜蘭的蘭陽女中對交換學生互訪也很積極，不但享受寄宿家庭的溫暖招待，也能參與學校和學生的各種活動。這不但對學生們是很有意義而充實的活動，對家長而言，他們更有機會敞開大門迎接千里迢迢前來的學生和他們的家庭一齊居住、共處。在不同情況下，許多家長都爭先恐後地要求擔任從宜蘭來訪學生的寄宿家庭。
新冠肺炎病毒開始入侵美國和黎霧市之時，我們非常溫暖地收到從宜蘭市江聰淵市長和中華民國外交部送來的千千萬萬的防疫口罩。臺灣對於防疫的成就比我們成功許多，我們被他們誠摯的關懷深深地打動。我們也把這些防疫口罩分享給地區內的學生們，讓他們瞭解這是遠從宜蘭的朋友送來的溫馨禮物。
因為服務大眾是錫智生命中很重要的一環，在聽到他成為加州鑽石吧市長之後我並不覺得驚奇。錫智對領導公共服務的強烈而執著的慾望是我們的福氣。他是一位非常成功的企業家，忠心耿耿的丈夫和父親，也是我們這些幸運地能夠認識他的人的忠實朋友。他有獨特建立長久、永續友情的能力。我還沒有見過任何人在這方面超越他的成就。
我很坦誠的告白，每一次和他共處之後我的生命就變得更為豐碩。我十分珍惜錫智和忠慧的友誼，也希望能持續得長久。無可置疑，因為錫智的影響力和無私的饋贈，黎霧市會永遠變得更好。
佩姬旦恩
美國堪薩斯州黎霧市市長（1997年至今）
Prologue by Peggy Dunn
Encompassing one’s life in an autobiography is a monumental undertaking, especially when one’s life has been lived to the absolute fullest! While I have not known Jimmy Lin his entire life, I have had the pleasure of knowing him since 1993. That was the year that I first ran for and was elected to the Leawood City Council. Jimmy actually retired from the City Council in 1993 after serving four, two-year terms from 1985 to 1993. It was in 1988 that Council Member Jimmy Lin proposed a sister-city relationship between I-Lan, Taiwan, and Leawood, Kansas. Jimmy was born and raised in I-Lan and still had family and a business in Taiwan. It has been the perfect opportunity for Leawood residents to broaden our horizons and enrich our lives with the many friends we’ve made in our 30+ year relationship.
Being elected as Leawood mayor in 1997, I had the honor of leading a delegation in 1998 to I-Lan to celebrate the 10th anniversary of our sister-city relationship. Jimmy and his lovely wife, Sophia, were part of that delegation visit. It was during that first exchange trip that I realized Jimmy was a truly remarkable statesman and a well-spoken diplomat. His ability to engage with each and every one he met was an illustration of his bridge-building expertise. Jimmy was jovial, patriotic, brilliant and extremely generous with his time and treasures. He understood both forms of government and could educate all on the history, food, customs and traditions of our two countries. He also speaks fluent Mandarin and was, therefore, my personal translator.
During my tenure as Leawood mayor, I have had the pleasure of traveling to Taiwan on three separate occasions. We have also had the opportunity to periodically host delegations from I-Lan to Leawood. Needless-to-say, Jimmy has always played a huge part in the success of those exchanges. Even though he moved to Diamond Bar, California, after living in Leawood for 26 years, that has not stopped his support and involvement with delegation visits. Jimmy always rearranges his schedule to join the groups and provide guidance and service wherever he can be of assistance.
Over the course of time, a sister-school relationship has also been established. Our Blue Valley North High School and the Lan Yang Girls Senior High School in I-Lan are actively involved sending student delegations that enjoy home hospitality, and are welcomed into the schools to participate with the other students. This has been most fulfilling, not only for the students, but also for the parents who open their homes and welcome the students to stay with them. This is evident by the fact that most parents have offered to do so on multiple occasions.
When the Covid-19 pandemic arrived in America and in Leawood, it was heartwarming to receive thousands of personal protection face masks from I-Lan’s Mayor Chiang and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Taiwan was handling the pandemic more successfully than we were at the time, and their genuine show of concern for us touched all of our hearts. We were even able to share the masks with all students in our area schools letting them know that the kind gift was from our friends in I-Lan.
Since public service has been such a big part of Jimmy’s life, I was not surprised when he was elected as the mayor of Diamond Bar, California. Jimmy’s relentless desire to provide public service leadership wherever he resides has been a gift to all of us. He’s been a successful entrepreneur and businessman, a devoted husband and father, and a loyal friend to all fortunate enough to know him. He has a unique capability of making lasting, lifetime friendships. He accomplishes this better than anyone I’ve ever known. I can truly say that my life has been greatly enriched with every encounter. I treasure Jimmy and Sophia’s friendship and hope that it will continue long into the future. There is no doubt that the City of Leawood will forever be better due to Jimmy’s meaningful and impactful legacy.
Peggy Dunn
Mayor of Leawood, Kansas since 1997
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