Report Title:

Honoring Dr. Kenneth P. Mortimer.

WHEREAS, DR. KENNETH P. MORTIMER assumed the presidency of the University of Hawaii (UH) in March 1993 and, upon his departure from the presidency in July 2001, will have led UH through eight of the most difficult years of its existence; and

WHEREAS, throughout a time of severe constraints on available resources, DR. KENNETH P. MORTIMER moved a diverse university community to focus on its mission through the development of strategic plans for each major component of UH and through follow-up assessments; and

WHEREAS, DR. KENNETH P. MORTIMER met the budgetary challenges of his tenure through innovative administration which allowed UH to weather the 1990s with the preservation of educational access and quality, and

WHEREAS, DR. KENNETH P. MORTIMER saw the realization of his vision to forge a new relationship between the State and UH through increased budgetary, revenue and procurement flexibility, retention of private fundraising and entrepreneurial revenues, and ultimately, full constitutional autonomy; and

WHEREAS, other hallmarks of DR. KENNETH P. MORTIMER's administration include the successful completion of UH's $100 million Campaign for Hawaii, one of the most intensive capital improvements periods in UH's history; the maturation of numerous nationally-ranked programs; and the integration of university activities into Hawaii's overall economic revitalization; and

WHEREAS, throughout his tenure, DR. KENNETH P. MORTIMER retained a strong sense of the core mission of UH: to provide quality education and prepare Hawaii's young adults for productive lives in a changing world; and

WHEREAS, DR. KENNETH P. MORTIMER and his wife, Lorraine, also found time to participate in the life of their Manoa community, going beyond the call to forge strong town-gown ties; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-first Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2001, that this body hereby honors and thanks DR. KENNETH P. MORTIMER for his service to the University of Hawaii and to the people of Hawaii.