Mazie Hirono

Ms. HIRONO

Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House Resolution 1663 into the Record.

Ms. HIRONO

Ms. HIRONO. I thank the gentleman from Indiana. Madam Speaker, I rise to urge my colleagues to support S. 1055, which honors the thousands of Japanese-American veterans who served during World War II, and I thank my colleague, the gentleman from California (Mr. Schiff), for introducing the legislation in the House and for his eloquent words today in support of the Senate bill. At a time when many of their fellow Americans questioned their loyalty to the United States, these Japanese-American soldiers enlisted and put their lives on the line to defend our freedoms overseas while fighting against fear and discrimination at home. S. 1055 awards the Congressional Gold Medal to the 100th Infantry Battalion, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and the Military Intelligence Service in honor of their military service. Many of the soldiers comprising these units were Nisei, the American- born sons of Japanese immigrants. Some served in the University of Hawaii's Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC), which aided the wounded, buried the fallen, and helped defend vulnerable areas in Hawaii after the attack on Pearl Harbor. In spite of these acts of loyalty and courage, the U.S. Army discharged all Nisei in the ROTC unit, changed their draft status to ineligible, and segregated all Japanese Americans in the military on the mainland out of their units. During this time, more than 100,000 Japanese Americans were forcibly relocated from their homes to internment camps. Undaunted, members of the Hawaii Provisional Battalion joined the 100th Infantry Battalion in California to train as soldiers. The sheer determination and pursuit of excellence displayed by this battalion in training contributed to President Roosevelt's decision to allow Nisei volunteers to serve in the U.S. military again, leading to their incorporation into the 442nd. Members of the 100th and the 442nd risked their lives to fight for our country and allies in Europe. The 442nd ``Go For Broke'' unit became the most decorated in U.S. military history for its size and length of service, with its component, the 100th Infantry Battalion, earning the nickname ``The Purple Heart Battalion.'' In addition, the 6,000 or so Nisei that comprised the Military Intelligence Service made vital contributions to wartime successes by conducting critical classified intelligence operations. Only in recent years has their invaluable service come to light, and it is long past due to acknowledge and honor the MIS's critical role during the war. In the spirit of celebrating these courageous soldiers, I would like to share the stories of three men from Hawaii who overcame humble beginnings and adversity to become successful scholars and community leaders in Hawaii. Kobe Shoji was a junior at Pomona College when he and his family received orders to go to an internment camp in Arizona. They brought nothing more than a suitcase with them to the camp. Kobe enlisted the next year and went to Germany to fight as a member of the 442nd. Although he was wounded twice, he came back to the States, never complaining about the discrimination that he and his family had faced, or about the wounds he suffered in the war. Kobe returned to complete his studies as though ``nothing had happened. . . . except we were all much more mature due to the wartime experience. We all had the feeling we must do something to make the world a better place to live.'' Kobe earned his doctorate in plant physiology from UCLA and moved to Hawaii thereafter to teach at the University of Hawaii and work as a respected agricultural expert. He later enjoyed watching his oldest son, Dave, coach the university's Rainbow Wahine volleyball team to many national championships. Ken Otagaki is another example of resilience and success. As the second son of a field laborer on the island of Hawaii, Ken left home at the age of 12 to work in Honolulu on the island of Oahu as a houseboy before putting himself through college. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Ken enlisted and joined the 100th Infantry Division, serving overseas as a litter bearer. In January 1944, Ken was near Cassino, Italy, when he and six other litter bearers were called upon to help soldiers in front of them. Ken and seven other soldiers faced a barrage of mortar shells from the enemy. Three were killed. Four, including Ken, were seriously injured and were not evacuated until nearly a day later. Ken recuperated at Walter Reed Hospital and later received the Combat Infantry Badge and the Purple Heart. Ken wrote to his sweetheart, Janet, telling her that he had lost his right leg, two fingers on his right hand, and the sight in his right eye. Their daughter, Joy, recalled that her mother thought that her father ``wasn't going to sit around feeling sorry for himself.'' Ken and Janet married later that year. Because of his war injuries, Ken had to give up his plans to become a medical doctor, instead earning a PhD in animal science. The Otagakis began their life together on the mainland and had five children before moving back to Hawaii, where Ken taught at the University of Hawaii and later led the Hawaii State Department of Agriculture. Ken never let what others perceived to be his physical disabilities stop him from being active. He climbed trees to pick ripe mangoes and taught his kids how to swim and ride a bike. The last veteran I would like to talk about is Yoshiaki Fujitani who Pauwela, Maui. A second generation Japanese-American, Yoshiaki was taught ethics at Japanese language school, where he learned about honesty and perseverance by hearing stories about George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. He was also taught what is known in Japanese as ``kuni no on,'' or gratitude to one's country, America. After serving in ROTC at the University of Hawaii, Yoshiaki rose through the ranks in the Hawaii Territorial Guard, becoming squad leader. Of course the guard was later disbanded without any explanation, but they believe it was because the Japanese Americans in the guard were viewed as potential traitors. On December 7, 1941, while preparing to play softball, Yoshiaki saw smoke and planes flying above Pearl Harbor before learning about the attack on the radio. He volunteered for the civilian Varsity Victory Volunteers but quit when he learned that his father was being held at a Department of Justice camp for being a potentially dangerous enemy alien. When his friends joined the 442nd, Yoshiaki's initial anger about his father's incarceration subsided, and he decided to join the MIS. Yoshiaki served in Tokyo on assignment for the Pacific Military Intelligence Research Section. After the war ended, he got married, raised a family, returned to Maui as a minister of the Buddhist faith, and he focused on fostering interfaith cooperation, eventually becoming the bishop of the Hawaii Kyodan. In 1976, he established a program called the ``Living Treasures of Hawaii'' to recognize the cultural contributions of individuals in Hawaii. The life stories of these three men serve as an inspiration for all of us, and they certainly exemplify the history and the courage and the Americanism, the love of America, exhibited by the people we are honoring. This legislation also honors Senator Daniel Inouye and the late Senator Spark Matsunaga, who served in the 442nd and 100th units, and of course they later went on to serve the people of Hawaii for many decades, and the people of our country. Again, I urge all of my colleagues to vote in support of S. 1055. It is long overdue.

Ms. HIRONO

Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, every year the Secretary of Defense recognizes employers for their support of employees serving in the National Guard and Reserve. This year, the Government of the State of Hawaii was selected for the Freedom Award, the highest employer recognition award given by the Defense Department. Hawaii Army National Guardsman K. Mark Takai submitted the nomination. The State of Hawaii provides credit toward retirement for the time their Guard and Reserve employees are activated and offers preferential hiring for those who have been deployed. The State also held a farewell ceremony and a welcome home parade for our 29th Brigade. Notably, Hawaii is the only State to recognize its fallen war heroes by awarding them the State Medal of Honor. As we celebrate National Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Week, warmest ``aloha'' goes out to employers like the State of Hawaii for recognizing the unique challenges that members of the Guard and Reserve face in balancing their civilian lives with their military service.

Ms. HIRONO

Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of H.R. 4785, the Rural Energy Savings Program Act. I am a cosponsor of this bill, which has been modified to include provisions of H.R. 5019, the Home Star Energy Retrofit Act, of which I am also a cosponsor. The Rural Energy Savings Program Act creates two energy efficiency loan programs. The Home Star Energy Efficiency Loan Program, administered by the Energy Department, will provide interest-free loans to states or territories, which will then re-loan the money to consumers for energy efficiency home renovations. The Rural Star Energy Program, run by the Agriculture Department, will make loans to rural electric co-ops, enabling these organizations to provide loans to qualified consumers to make their homes and businesses become more energy efficient. Constituents in my district have some of the highest energy costs in the country, especially residents of Hawaii's rural communities. The Rural Star Energy Program would give Kauai Island Utility Cooperative, a rural electric co-op in my district, the opportunity to help families, farms, and businesses on Kauai save money on their energy bills while reducing energy waste and carbon pollution. In addition, the Home Star Energy Efficiency Loan Program and the Rural Star Energy Program will help create jobs by increasing demand for energy efficiency products (many of which are made in the United States) and energy equipment retrofits. I strongly support H.R. 4785 and urge my colleagues to support this measure.

Ms. HIRONO

Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, for all of the reasons articulated, I again encourage my colleagues to support this resolution. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1473) supporting backcountry airstrips and recreational aviation, as amended.

Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of H. Res. 1473, as amended, introduced by the gentleman from Montana (Mr. Rehberg), which expresses support for backcountry airstrips and recreational aviation. A backcountry airstrip is an unattended landing area in a location that provides access to remote, undeveloped rural areas by aircraft, usually airplanes. Backcountry airstrips provide benefits to the general public, including performing research and rescue operations, fire management, research and aerial mapping, and disaster relief. These airstrips allow tourists to access remote Federal lands that, in turn, helps to support local economies and small businesses. Also, in the event of mechanical problems or inclement weather, backcountry airstrips serve as emergency landing sites when airports are out of reach. H. Res. 1473 recognizes the value of recreational aviation and backcountry airstrips located on our Nation's public lands. In addition, it commends aviators and the various private organizations that maintain these airstrips for public use. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H. Res. 1473.

Ms. HIRONO

Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, if we don't act soon, middle class income families across the country will see their taxes go up. I have spent the past 6 weeks crisscrossing the Hawaiian island chain, meeting with small business owners, workers, educators, and farmers. I've asked them how they feel about extending the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans. And we agreed that the most important thing we can do now is extend the tax cuts for the middle class. I will oppose those who hold the middle class tax cuts hostage so that people earning more than $1 million will receive average tax cuts of $100,000 annually. The top 2 percent of these income earners in our country can afford to pay their fair share. Extending the Bush tax cuts for this group will pile on a whopping $700 billion to our deficit over the next 10 years. We must pass legislation now that ensures that 98 percent of Americans and 97 percent of small businesses do not pay higher taxes next year. And let's remember that the 111th Congress and the Obama administration have already enacted eight tax cuts for small businesses. We can no longer afford to continue the tax cuts for the wealthiest among us.

Ms. HIRONO

Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to remove my name from H.R. 5720.

Ms. HIRONO

Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, this year we celebrate the 75th birthday of Social Security. Since Democratic President Franklin Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act in 1935, Americans have known that they can rely on Social Security benefits when they retire. Today, over 160,000 Hawaii seniors and millions of seniors in every other State receive monthly Social Security benefits, but Republican leaders in Congress have a new plan to privatize Social Security, balancing the budget on the backs of our seniors. Does this sound familiar? George Bush and congressional Republicans fought to privatize Social Security in 2005. Seniors all across the country rose up in angry protest. If Republicans had succeeded then, seniors would have lost trillions in the stock market meltdown of the Bush recession. Unbelievably, the Republicans still have not given up on their idea to privatize Social Security. You have to ask, what is it that makes them so deaf to what seniors in our country tell me loud and clear-- preserve Social Security.

Ms. HIRONO

Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, Mr. Scott, for yielding me time. I rise today in support of House Resolution 1470, which recognizes the life, achievements, and distinguished career of the late Bill Richardson, Chief Justice of the Hawaii Supreme Court. William Shaw Richardson was born in Honolulu on December 22, 1919. Raised in Kaimuki and a graduate of a public school, Roosevelt High School, Bill worked in pineapple canneries to pay his way through the University of Hawaii. He then earned a law degree from the University of Cincinnati. Bill later enlisted in the Army and served as platoon leader with the 1st Filipino Infantry Regiment during World War II. In 1956, Bill served as chairman of Hawaii's Democratic Party. He was elected to the office of Lieutenant Governor in 1962. In 1966, Governor John A. Burns appointed him as chief justice of the Hawaii Supreme Court. C.J. Richardson served on the court for 16 years. C.J. Richardson was our Nation's first native Hawaiian Supreme Court chief justice. Working closely with his fellow justices, C.J. incorporated native Hawaiian traditional and customary practices into State law and expanded public rights. In perhaps his most famous case, in 1968, C.J. Richardson, in essence, asked, ``Why should Hawaii follow Anglo-American common law rather than its own ancient traditions regarding the use of property?'' C.J. recalled not being allowed on the beach in front of Waikiki's Royal Hawaiian and Moana hotels as a boy. The historic 4-to-1 ruling he wrote incorporated Hawaiian customs by preserving public access to the shoreline. No Hawaii beach could be considered a private beach like on the mainland. Under his leadership, the court also established the water rights of people living downstream from privately owned property that surrounded rivers or streams. It awarded new land created by lava flows to the State instead of adjacent property owners, and it ruled that native Hawaiians could cross private property to gather traditional cultural resources, like particular plants used by hula dancers as part of their ceremonies. Among C.J. Richardson's proudest achievements was the opening of Hawaii's only law school in 1973. He knew that those with the greatest stake in building a more just and equitable society were often denied the opportunity to attend law school because of the high cost. He fought a lengthy uphill battle to create and shape the law school that now proudly bears his name. Over the last years, C.J. had an office at the school, where he was a regular source of support and inspiration to students and faculty alike. I would like to extend my deepest condolences to C.J. Richardson's son, William; his two daughters, Barbara Richardson-Phillips and Corinne Wolfe; his two sisters, Amy Kahoiwai and Pearl Nishimura; his six grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Mahalo nui loa--Hawaiian for thank you very much--for sharing the great C.J. with all of us.

Ms. HIRONO

Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, by continuing to deny the extension of unemployment benefits, Republicans are perpetuating their heartlessness on the backs of the working people of this country. Last week in Hilo, I met a group of contractors who shared with me not only their struggles in today's difficult economy, but that of people they know who have lost their jobs. These hardworking people can't find jobs not for a lack of effort but for a lack of jobs. Before the July 4 recess, the House passed a bill that would extend unemployment benefits through the end of November. This extension would save 6,000 residents in Hawaii from losing their benefits. Every month that Congress fails to act, another 2,150 people in Hawaii will lose their benefits. These benefits amount to an average of $415 a week, which helps families buy food and keep a roof over their heads until they can find a job. And for every $1 they spend, $1.60 is generated in economic growth for local businesses. We cannot turn our backs on hardworking people by taking away their unemployment benefits. The time to act is now.

Ms. HIRONO

Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that I may hereafter be considered to be the first sponsor of H.R. 709, a bill originally introduced by Representative Abercrombie of Hawaii, for the purposes of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII.

Ms. HIRONO

Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House Concurrent Resolution 284 into the Record.

Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. HIRONO

Mr. HIRONO. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. HIRONO

Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, in closing, among the cadre of our educators all across our country who deserve our thanks and recognition, our special education teachers occupy a particularly special place. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

Ms. HIRONO. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Concurrent Resolution 284, which recognizes the work and importance of special education teachers in our public education system. They serve a unique role in our country's schools, and their hard work equips students with disabilities with high-quality instruction and important lifelong skills. The historic ruling in Mills v. Board of Education of the District of Columbia ruled that all students with disabilities must be offered a public education regardless of the cost, and it was critical in setting the stage for our current special education system. Today, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act upholds this legacy by working to ensure the education of all students with disabilities. It is important for us to continue working towards equal access to education for more than 6.6 million American students. More than 370,000 dedicated, hardworking, and highly professional special education teachers currently serve our Nation's students. These teachers educate students with many different disabilities, helping those with learning disabilities, autism, combined deafness and blindness, traumatic brain injuries, hearing, visual, speech, language or orthopaedic impairments, and other types of health impairments. Through specific training and teaching practices, special educators can help these students learn regardless of their physical barriers. Special educators have earned and rightfully deserve our recognition. They dedicate their time and professional careers to serving students who need specific and individual education plans not offered by a traditional education setting. Special education teachers also recognize that these students are no less deserving than any other students of a high-quality public education. For these reasons and many others, special education teachers are particularly special public servants. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Representative Sessions for introducing this resolution. Once again, I express support for House Concurrent Resolution 284, which will recognize the immense contributions of America's special education teachers. So I urge my colleagues to support this resolution. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 284) recognizing the work and importance of special education teachers, as amended.

Ms. HIRONO

Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Ms. HIRONO. Once again, I would like to encourage all of my colleagues to support H. Res. 1244, the National Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition, and I congratulate all of the participants and the winners of this very important competition. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Rodriguez).

Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today in support of House Resolution 1244, which recognizes the National Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition for their 5-year effort to promote cyber security curriculum at institutions of higher education. Their dedication and commitment to cyber security instruction serves an important purpose as computer and Internet software continue their vital role in our digital world. In February of 2004, a group of educators, students, and government and industry representatives in cyber defense gathered in San Antonio, Texas, to address the growing need for cyber security education for post-secondary students. These individuals understood the growing importance of, and the world's increasing reliance, on computer and Internet software, as well as the national security interest in protecting this vital infrastructure. From the gathering in San Antonio, the Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition was born. The competition provides students the opportunity to improve their understanding and operational competency in protecting corporate network infrastructure and business information systems. For the past 5 years, the competition has offered computer security curriculum to students at institutions of higher education across the United States. Many teams participated in this year's regional competition with winners including Towson University, DePaul University, Montana Tech, Northeastern University, University of Washington, Texas A&M University, University of Louisville, and California State Polytechnic University at Pomona. Students from these universities learned many skills and their education will help meet the rapidly growing demand for cyber security specialists in the public and private sectors. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Representative Rodriguez for introducing this resolution. Once again, I express my support for House Resolution 1244, which recognizes the importance of the National Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition and its contribution to our Nation's cyber security curriculum. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House Resolution 1244 into the Record.