RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, the political, economic, and security uncertainties caused by the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and the anticipated armed conflict or war with Iraq rise with each passing day; and

WHEREAS, there is increasing evidence that armed conflict between Iraq and the United States is imminent; and

WHEREAS, the impact of the uncertainty of terrorist attacks and preparations for war have had, are having, and will continue to have an adverse affect on the economy and the people of Hawaii; and

WHEREAS, should another terrorist attack occur, or should our nation go to war with Iraq, a look back at the effects of the Persian Gulf War in 1991 and the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, provides valuable insight into the potential effects of these occurrences on the State's economy; and

WHEREAS, the Persian Gulf War in 1991 and the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, had disastrous economic consequences for the airline industry, in turn devastating Hawaii's economy; and

WHEREAS, federal agencies contracting with Hawaii contractors for goods, services, and especially construction contribute significantly to Hawaii's recovering economy; and

WHEREAS, the awarding of large federal contracts to local businesses will stimulate Hawaii's struggling economy and substantially contribute to the stability of Hawaii's economic life in the event of armed conflict or war with Iraq; and

WHEREAS, currently, federal construction projects are too large making it difficult for local contractors to effectively compete against out-of-state contractors due to a local contractor's limited resources; and

WHEREAS, smaller federal construction projects or smaller components of large construction projects will make it possible for a large number of local contractors to compete against their larger, out-of-state counterparts; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2003, the Senate concurring, that the federal government is urged to consider the limited resources of Hawaii contractors in its procurement procedures for goods, services, and construction projects in Hawaii; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States and Hawaii's Congressional delegation.

Report Title:

Urging the president of the united states to request that federal agencies in Hawaii parcel out its contracts.