HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	100
TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

honoring junior achievement of hawaii, inc. and the 2009 hawaii business hall of fame inductees.

WHEREAS, since 1990, the JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF HAWAII BUSINESS HALL OF FAME has honored the state’s most distinguished business leaders for their outstanding contributions to free enterprise and the promise of a stronger society; and

WHEREAS, JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF HAWAII, INC. was founded in 1957 to educate and inspire young people to appreciate business and economics in order that they can improve their lives and their communities; and

WHEREAS, JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF HAWAII, INC. has created a working partnership among business, military, and education communities with the mission of ensuring that Hawaii’s children will have the opportunity to learn about the free-enterprise system; and

WHEREAS, through 495 offices around the world, Junior Achievement reaches approximately seven million students a year in inner cities, suburbs, and rural areas; and

WHEREAS, the purpose of the JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT HAWAII BUSINESS HALL OF FAME is to recognize business leaders who, through their life-long entrepreneurial and civic activities have made enduring contributions to the local economy through their work, and are figures of inspiration for Hawaii’s youth; and 

WHEREAS, SUSANNA F. CHEUNG helped found Opportunities for the Retarded, Inc in 1980 to provide adults with developmental disabilities important job skills, gain independence, and encourage their maximum development; and

WHEREAS, SUSANNA F. CHEUNG is a successful business woman and philanthropist whose foundation supports agencies that work with the disabled and helps students continue with their education in Hawaii; and

WHEREAS, DEAN OKIMOTO successfully expanded Nalo Farms the family agriculture business, founded by his father in 1953, by diversifying the product line using consistency, quality, and hard work; and

WHEREAS, guided by integrity and humility, DEAN OKIMOTO is passionate about education , Hawaii’s youth going into the field of agriculture, and giving back to the community through service and involvement; and

WHEREAS, as a fifth generation kama‘aina MONTY RICHARDS has worked on the family ranch since 1953 bringing innovations such as alternative renewable energy, rapid rotational grazing, hydroponic farming, solar and wind energy diversification of livestock, and tourism to the ranch; and

WHEREAS, MONTY RICHARDS is an enthusiastic and knowledgeable leader who shares his talent with numerous community organizations; and

WHEREAS, on Friday, March 13, 2009, SUSANNA CHEUNG of Opportunities for the Retarded, Inc. DEAN OKIMOTO of Nalo Farms, and MONTY RICHARDS of Kahua Ranch will be inducted into the HAWAII BUSINESS HALL OF FAME for 2009; and

WHEREAS, these honorees join a distinguished group of 67 men and women who have been included into the HAWAII BUSINESS HALL OF FAME since its inception; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-Fifth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular session of 2009, that it recognizes and honors JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF HAWAII, INC. and the 2009 inductees to the HAWAII BUSINESS HALL OF FAME for their outstanding contributions to free enterprise and the betterment of the State of Hawaii.

OFFERED BY:	_____________________________
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Report Title: 

2009 Hawaii Business Hall of Fame Inductees; honoring