Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Education, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 202 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this concurrent resolution is to declare May 5, 2005, as "Cleaners’ Appreciation Day" in the State of Hawaii.

ILWU Local 142 and a concerned individual testified in support of this measure.

Your Committee recognizes that employees in the cleaning and custodial fields in the State engage in arduous and physically demanding work to ensure that public and private facilities, buildings, and historic landmarks remain clean and beautiful. Due to the hard work of these individuals, employees throughout the State are able to work in clean, tidy, and respectable work environments. Oftentimes, however, the hard work of these individuals goes unnoticed and unrecognized.

Additionally, the hard work of these individuals can be seen first-hand here at the State Capitol. Day after day, the office and custodial workers ensure that our building remains clean and beautiful, by doing things such as polishing our floors, cleaning our offices, and emptying our trash receptacles. In fact, residents and visitors alike often comment on the cleanliness, tidiness, and attractiveness of our State Capitol. Many visiting legislators have even stated that our State Capitol building is one of the most beautiful in the entire country.

Many of the office and custodial employees throughout the State of Hawaii have held their job positions for years, or even decades. Many work in the quiet of night, when no one is around, to make our work environment clean and safe. Those individuals deserve appreciation and gratitude for their hard work.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Labor & Public Employment that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 202 and recommends its adoption.