HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	309
TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2011		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII		S.D. 1

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

REQUESTING THE GOVERNOR TO PROCLAIM THE SECOND WEEK OF AUGUST OF EVERY YEAR AS "HAWAII STATE ASSISTANCE DOGS WEEK".

WHEREAS, the State of Hawaii has 143,000 citizens with disabilities; and

     WHEREAS, those citizens who need a service dog wait approximately three to five years for a service dog; and

     WHEREAS, assistance dogs, including service dogs, guide dogs, hearing alert dogs, and alert/seizure response dogs transform the lives of their human partners with physical and mental disabilities; and

     WHEREAS, assistance dogs serve as devoted companions, helpers, aides, best friends, and close family members; and

     WHEREAS, recognizing these dogs, who benefit Hawaii's citizens with disabilities, will aid in raising awareness and educating the public about how these specially trained animals are aiding many people in Hawaii and how these dogs could benefit more of Hawaii's citizens; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-sixth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2011, the Senate concurring, that the Governor is requested to express the State's support for the contributions of assistance dogs to Hawaii's citizens with disabilities by proclaiming the second week of August of every year, beginning on the second week of August 2011, as "Hawaii State Assistance Dogs Week" in the State of Hawaii; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor and the Hawaii Humane Society.

Report Title: 

Hawaii State Assistance Dogs Week