Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Economic Development and Business Concerns, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 24 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this concurrent resolution is to authorize the Governor to establish a sister-state affiliation with the Province of Thua Thien-Hue. This action would grant the Province of Thua Thien-Hue similar honors and privileges afforded by the State of Hawaii to other sister-states and provinces.

Testimony in support of this concurrent resolution was received from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; the University of Hawaii; the Vietnamese-American Chamber of Commerce; the Association of Chinese from Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos; Directions, Inc.; Group 70 International, Inc.; The Limtiaco Company; TAF International, Inc.; PacMar, Inc.; DaleCo Inc.; and a concerned citizen. Comments were submitted by the International Trade Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Your Committee is cognizant of the importance of cultivating and expanding the State's international business, educational, and cultural relationships. This concurrent resolution authorizing the establishment of a sister-state relationship with the Thua Thien-Hue Province will allow for a more effective exchange of business opportunities, educational initiatives, and cultural ties.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development and Business Concerns that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 24 and recommends its adoption.