Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Media, Arts, Science, and Technology, to which was referred H.B. No. 283, H.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish a commission to research and recommend how the State can recognize and honor Senator Hiram L. Fong.

Your Committee received testimony in favor of this measure from the ILWU Local 142, Finance Factors, Ltd., and six individuals, including Senator Fong's daughter and granddaughter.

Your Committee recognizes Senator Fong's numerous contributions and accomplishments to our nation and to Hawaii. Senator Fong had a long and illustrious career and life. He was a lawyer, entrepreneur, and statesman who served in the Territorial House of Representatives and subsequently became the first Asian-American elected to the United States Senate. Senator Fong also was the first Hawaii resident to receive the Horatio Alger Award for overcoming poverty to achieve outstanding success in law, business, and public service. He will be remembered for his contributions to statehood, his entrepreneurial spirit, and his long record on civil and immigration rights.

Your Committee has heard concerns regarding the expenditure of any public moneys raised by the commission. Currently, this measure exempts from chapter 42F, Hawaii Revised Statutes, any grant or subsidy made by the Legislature for the purposes of this measure, but does not specify under what authority state funds would be expended.

Your Committee has amended this measure accordingly, to add a requirement that the commission identify and recommend procedures for the appropriate disbursal of any public funds received by the nonprofit organization selected to be responsible for any moneys received or expended for honoring Senator Fong. Your Committee also made technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Media, Arts, Science, and Technology that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 283, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 283, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.