House Passes Hirono Resolution Honoring the University of Hawai‘i
University Recognized for 100 Years of Commitment to Public Higher Education
WASHINGTON, D.C.—
The U.S. House of Representatives todays passed a resolution introduced by Congresswoman Mazie K. Hirono honoring the University of Hawai‘i for its 100 years of dedication to public higher education.
Congresswoman Hirono, who serves on the Education and Labor Committee and the Higher Education Subcommittee in the House, spoke in support of H. Con. Res. 264. She noted her pride in U.H. as a graduate of the university and praised the students, faculty, staff and administration.
The full text of her statement appears below:
"I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 264, honoring the University of Hawai‘i for its 100 years of dedication to public higher education.
The 10 campuses of the University of Hawai‘i offer more than 620 nationally and internationally recognized academic programs – everything from culinary arts to tropical agriculture. It is the only place in the nation where students can earn a masters degree in indigenous language studies, and has Top-25 programs for environmental law, Eastern philosophy, international business, and second language studies.
The 50,000 students who attend U.H. include many of Hawai‘i’s best and brightest. The sizable Native Hawaiian, Caucasian, Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, and Pacific Islander populations on our campuses reflect the great diversity of our state. Their years at the University of Hawai‘i will prepare them to be the business, community, and political leaders of tomorrow.
I am proud to be among the 250,000 U.H. alumni who now reside in every state in the union and in at least 80 countries around the world. This extended community brings the aloha spirit to the world at large.
Just last week I was here on the floor of the House with my two green and white footballs in honor of the University of Hawai‘i Warriors’ perfect 2007 football season. The Warriors are the only college team in the country to go undefeated, but they are just one of the U.H. sports teams we cheer for across the islands – from volleyball to basketball, our athletes draw nearly 700, 000 fans to games every year.
This is a special year for higher education in Hawai‘i. Not only is it the University of Hawai‘i’s centennial, but it is also the 35th anniversary of the passage of Title IX – now known as the Patsy T. Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act. Patsy was a friend and continues to be an inspiration to me. This year the University of Hawai‘i joined me and Congress in honoring Patsy and her trailblazing work to open the doors of higher education to women across the country.
I want to take a moment to thank the people who make the University of Hawai‘i what it is today. David McClain, the current president of U.H., and the 17 presidents who have come before him have all been leaders dedicated to excellence in public higher education. The phenomenal team of faculty and staff has truly made a positive difference in the lives of hundreds of thousands of students, past and present. Those students, in turn, are making enormous contributions to our towns, our state, and our country.
My years at the University of Hawai‘i in the late sixties were a time of awakening and questioning for me. Attending U.H. made a profound difference in my life. In fact, all four members of Hawai‘i’s current Congressional delegation have degrees from the University of Hawai‘i.
I am proud to work closely with the University of Hawai‘i as a member of the House Committee on Education and Labor. As we come to the end of the 100th year in the University’s history, congratulations to all involved. Here’s to the next 100 successful years!"
A video of Congresswoman Hirono's statement honoring the University of Hawai‘i can be viewed at http://hirono.house.gov/video/071211uh100.wmv
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