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Confirmation Hearing
Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
Mr. Chairman, I am very proud to join you in welcoming a distinguished constituent
and a long time-friend of mine and her family. Ms. Patricia Loui has been nominated by President Obama to serve as a Member of the Board of Directors of the Export-Import Bank of the United States.
As an accomplished international businesswoman who brings a wealth of experience in banking, business, and economic development, she is an excellent nominee for the Ex-Im Bank. I am pleased to join Senator Inouye in introducing her to the Committee.
This is an exciting and challenging time for the Ex-Im Bank.
It helps to create and maintain U.S. jobs by filling gaps in private export financing at no cost to American taxpayers.
It just set a new all-time record for export finance authorizations. It had loans of over $ 24.5 billion at the beginning of August at a time when credit has been tight.
It is providing opportunities for U.S. businesses to contribute to our nation's international economic competitiveness at a time when the nation is struggling to recover from the recession. It helps the small businesses that have always been the engine of our economy, the workers who are still seeking employment, and the families and communities that they support.
During this exciting and challenging time for the Ex-Im Bank, Ms. Loui is the right nominee to join the Board.
Under Ms. Loui's leadership over the past 30 years, her company, OmniTrak, has become a leading research and planning firm in Hawaii.
It is recognized for its expertise and work in Asian markets in tourism, finance, health, communications, telecom, retail, government, real estate, and land development. Ms. Loui previously served as President of the East West Center Association, as Vice President of the Bank of Hawaii, and as a development planner for the United Nations Development Programme and
UNESCO in Asia. And of course, her work in the community -- which includes being a member of the APEC host committee for the Leaders meeting in Honolulu in November - has been invaluable.
In short, Ms. Loui has developed an expertise in business that perfectly aligns with her soon-to-be new role on the Ex-Im Bank. With her passion for business and drive for success, I have every confidence that she will make tremendous contributions to the bank.
But her qualifications for this appointment goes beyond her impressive education, resume, and extensive experience. The entrepreneurial spirit runs in the family.
Not only is OmniTrak Hawaii's largest market research firm, Pat's parents, brothers and sisters, and in-laws have all run business ventures ranging from restaurants, marine design and engineering, insurance, flowers, and furniture. And, according to family members, it is no surprise that business runs in the family - the matriarch and patriarch of the Loui family met because of business.
Four generations ago, Shizuko Katashima owned a large market in Kapahulu, which she sold to Alicia Loui. Shizuko's daughter Alyce met and married Alicia's son Fred. And family and island history was made.
Ms. Loui, please accept my congratulations on your nomination. Mahalo - thank you -- for your dedication to public service.
Statement of Senator Daniel K. Akaka introducing Ms. Patricia Loui
Tue, September 6, 2011
Confirmation Hearing
Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
Mr. Chairman, I am very proud to join you in welcoming a distinguished constituent
and a long time-friend of mine and her family. Ms. Patricia Loui has been nominated by President Obama to serve as a Member of the Board of Directors of the Export-Import Bank of the United States.
As an accomplished international businesswoman who brings a wealth of experience in banking, business, and economic development, she is an excellent nominee for the Ex-Im Bank. I am pleased to join Senator Inouye in introducing her to the Committee.
This is an exciting and challenging time for the Ex-Im Bank.
It helps to create and maintain U.S. jobs by filling gaps in private export financing at no cost to American taxpayers.
It just set a new all-time record for export finance authorizations. It had loans of over $ 24.5 billion at the beginning of August at a time when credit has been tight.
It is providing opportunities for U.S. businesses to contribute to our nation's international economic competitiveness at a time when the nation is struggling to recover from the recession. It helps the small businesses that have always been the engine of our economy, the workers who are still seeking employment, and the families and communities that they support.
During this exciting and challenging time for the Ex-Im Bank, Ms. Loui is the right nominee to join the Board.
Under Ms. Loui's leadership over the past 30 years, her company, OmniTrak, has become a leading research and planning firm in Hawaii.
It is recognized for its expertise and work in Asian markets in tourism, finance, health, communications, telecom, retail, government, real estate, and land development. Ms. Loui previously served as President of the East West Center Association, as Vice President of the Bank of Hawaii, and as a development planner for the United Nations Development Programme and
UNESCO in Asia. And of course, her work in the community -- which includes being a member of the APEC host committee for the Leaders meeting in Honolulu in November - has been invaluable.
In short, Ms. Loui has developed an expertise in business that perfectly aligns with her soon-to-be new role on the Ex-Im Bank. With her passion for business and drive for success, I have every confidence that she will make tremendous contributions to the bank.
But her qualifications for this appointment goes beyond her impressive education, resume, and extensive experience. The entrepreneurial spirit runs in the family.
Not only is OmniTrak Hawaii's largest market research firm, Pat's parents, brothers and sisters, and in-laws have all run business ventures ranging from restaurants, marine design and engineering, insurance, flowers, and furniture. And, according to family members, it is no surprise that business runs in the family - the matriarch and patriarch of the Loui family met because of business.
Four generations ago, Shizuko Katashima owned a large market in Kapahulu, which she sold to Alicia Loui. Shizuko's daughter Alyce met and married Alicia's son Fred. And family and island history was made.
Ms. Loui, please accept my congratulations on your nomination. Mahalo - thank you -- for your dedication to public service.
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