SB1146

SECTION 1. The Senator Hiram L. Fong commission established by the legislature in Act 117, Session Laws of Hawaii 2005, found that the senator's more than thirty years of public service was distinguished by his ability to bridge party and ethnic lines. Senator Fong championed civil rights, labor rights, and immigration reform. He contributed to the enactment of Hawaii's little Wagner act, which provided for the unionization of agricultural workers. At the same time, the Senator was a firm believer in the free market and the need to stand on one's own feet.

The commission also found that Senator Fong's legislative accomplishments owed greatly to the collaboration and cooperation of democratic colleagues, particularly the other senator from Hawaii, Oren E. Long, and senate majority leader, senator Lyndon Johnson. The bill establishing the East-West Center was introduced by Senator Oren E. Long, and its ultimate success owed much to the leadership and collaboration of Senator Long and Senator Hiram L. Fong.

The commission recommended that the legislature establish the Senator Hiram L. Fong scholarship at the University of Hawaii.

Although not within the purview of the commission, the commission suggested that Senator Oren E. Long also be honored for his forty-one years of public service, including stints as superintendent of public instruction for twelve years, then secretary of the territory of Hawaii, governor of Hawaii, and finally United States senator.

The purpose of this Act is to establish two scholarship programs, for Senator Hiram L. Fong and Senator Oren E. Long respectively, to be administered by the University of Hawaii through endowments deposited with the University of Hawaii Foundation.

SECTION 2. Chapter 304A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding two new sections to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§304A- The Senator Hiram L. Fong scholarship program and endowment. (a) There is established the Senator Hiram L. Fong scholarship program to be administered by the University of Hawaii through an endowment in the University of Hawaii Foundation. The program shall provide financial support to students enrolled at any campus of the University of Hawaii.

(b) Awards shall be granted annually to one female student and one male student who:

(1) Are graduates of a public high school in the State;

(2) Are upperclassmen at the University of Hawaii;

(3) Submit winning essays to the board of regents on the senator's contributions to Hawaii;

(4) Have a demonstrated commitment to local community issues, as shown by volunteer work and participation in community organizations; and

(5) Have a demonstrated interest and knowledge of the history of immigration to Hawaii.

(c) The amount to be awarded to a student shall be determined by the board of regents with due regard to the total amount of funds available for the program. The award that a student receives under this program may be used to:

(1) Pay for the costs of tuition and fees for a single academic year;

(2) Pay for the costs of textbooks and other instructional materials for a single academic year;

(3) Pay for the costs of room and board at a dormitory or apartment maintained by the University of Hawaii for a single academic year; or

(4) Defray the difference between the student need, as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, and the total cost of attendance for a single academic year.

(d) The board of regents shall adopt rules to implement the Senator Hiram L. Fong scholarship program. The rules shall be adopted pursuant to chapter 91 but shall be exempt from the public notice and public hearing requirements.

(e) The funds for this scholarship program shall be deposited as an endowment with the University of Hawaii Foundation and shall be administered by the board of regents for the purposes of supporting the Senator Hiram L. Fong scholarship program.

§304A- The Senator Oren E. Long scholarship program and endowment. (a) There is established the Senator Oren E. Long scholarship program to be administered by the University of Hawaii. The program shall provide financial support to students enrolled at any campus of the University of Hawaii.

(b) Awards shall be granted annually to one female student and one male student who:

(1) Are graduates of a public high school in the State;

(2) Are upperclassmen at the University of Hawaii; and

(3) Submit winning essays to the board of regents on the senator's contributions to Hawaii.

(1) Pay for the costs of tuition and fees for a single academic year;

(2) Pay for the costs of textbooks and other instructional materials for a single academic year;

(3) Pay for the costs of room and board at a dormitory or apartment maintained by the University of Hawaii for a single academic year; or

(4) Defray the difference between the student need, as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, and the total cost of attendance for a single academic year.

(d) The board of regents shall adopt rules to implement the Senator Oren E. Long scholarship program. The rules shall be adopted pursuant to chapter 91 but shall be exempt from the public notice and public hearing requirements.

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $250,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2007-2008, to be deposited with the University of Hawaii Foundation as an endowment for the Senator Hiram L. Fong scholarship; provided that the University of Hawaii shall administer the scholarship in accordance with the report of November 17, 2005 to the legislature from the Senator Hiram L. Fong commission.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the University of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $250,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2007-2008, to be deposited with the University of Hawaii Foundation as an endowment for the Senator Oren E. Long scholarship; provided that the University of Hawaii shall administer the scholarship.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the University of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 5. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the University of Hawaii scholarship and assistance special fund the sum of $200,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2007-2008, to be used for the Senator Hiram L. Fong scholarship program.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the University of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 6. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 7. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2007.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	1146
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007
STATE OF HAWAII