STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3685

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.C.R. No. 230

       H.D. 1

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Judiciary and Labor, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 230, H.D. 1, entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 1 – SEPTEMBER 7 AS HAWAII LABOR HISTORY WEEK,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to:

     (1)  Recognize the week of September 1 – September 7 as "Hawaii Labor History Week" in conjunction with the annual Labor Day holiday and activities;

     (2)  Encourage Hawaii's workforce to develop ways to celebrate and honor the work of labor groups and the progress they have brought about for the working people; and

     (3)  Encourage teachers across the State to provide labor education learning experiences for students appropriate to their grade level and consistent with state educational history and social science content standards.

     Your Committee recognizes the importance of educating Hawaii students about the history and accomplishments of working people and the labor movement in Hawaii.  Knowledge and understanding of the history of labor in Hawaii are important for young people who will soon enter the workforce so they are provided the tools to make informed decisions about their lives and futures and work.

     Your Committee notes the testimony of the Department of Education that the Department will work with labor groups to plan and distribute a memorandum to all schools encouraging teachers to recognize the history of labor in Hawaii and suggest ways this might be accomplished.  In addition, the Department will provide a list of resources that teachers may use in the classroom.  The Department recognizes the important role labor has played in the State's history and will support and encourage teachers to provide educational learning experiences consistent with the Hawaii Content Performance Standards III.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary and Labor that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 230, H.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary and Labor,

____________________________

BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Chair