Terry Benson, the president of the American Go Federation, received the 2023 INAF Lifetime Achievement Award.

The following is INAF Board Member, Dave Weimer’s remarks at the US Go Congress in presenting INAF Lifetime Achievement Award to Terry Benson:

The Iwamoto North America Foundation for Go has created an annual award to recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the development and promotion of Go in North America. On behalf of the Foundation, I am honored to present the inaugural award to Terry Benson.

Terry learned to play Go in 1960, but only discovered the American Go Association in 1975. However, by 1976 he was editor-in-chief of the American Go Journal and president of the AGA! During his dozen years as president, Terry made the AGA a truly national organization.

Terry has made numerous contributions to American Go since then. However, I will simply note a few things, aside from his dedication to Crazy Go, that should be of interest to Congress attendees. First, as AGA president, Terry supported the successful efforts of Haskell Small to organize the very first US Go Congress. Second, he helped create and then ably lead the American Go Foundation, which has radically changed the demographics of American Go. The over $900 thousand dollars that the AGF has raised and distributed have greatly contributed to the increase in youth participation in American Go, both generally and at the Congress. Third, Terry is one of two people who have attended every US Go Congress!

Please join with me in thanking Terry for his outstanding contributions to American Go and congratulating him for receipt of this award.