STAND. COM. REP. NO.  2131

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   S.C.R. No. 173

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on International Affairs, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 173 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to express support for international education for Hawaii's students.

     Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the Department of Education, the University of Hawaii System, the University of Hawaii at Manoa and the NAFSA Hawaii Pacific District.

     Your Committee finds that the world in which we live has become a global society, supporting global ideas and a global economy and although Hawaii is a beautiful and wonderful place in which to live, work, and learn, an education that encompasses international viewpoints and experiences provides an enriched educational experience that distinguishes future leaders and will define the economic, socioeconomic, and political future of Hawaii. 

      Your Committee further finds that Hawaii in its unique position as the gateway to the East and the hub of the Pacific Rim countries should be truly an international and diverse paradise of the Pacific and should be playing a pivotal role as a transportation, communications, and economic development, international business, banking center of the pacific. 

     Our local institutions must promote an education that provides for skills, knowledge, and opportunities for local students to study abroad and acquire linguistic and intercultural skills to interact with individuals from and in a multitude of different nations and cultures. 

     This measure signifies the Legislature's support for international education for local students to provide for increased awareness and education to understand and address the current and future problems of Hawaii and throughout the world. 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on International Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 173 and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on International Affairs,

____________________________

RIDA T.R. CABANILLA, Chair