STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1721

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2011

RE:   H.R. No. 151

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on International Affairs, to which was referred H.R. No. 151 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE SAN FRANCISCO MEXICAN CONSULATE TO CONSIDER ESTABLISHMENT OF A MEXICAN CONSULATE IN HAWAII,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this resolution is to request the Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the United Mexican States to consider establishing a permanent Mexican Consulate in the State of Hawaii to improve consular presence and address the needs of Mexican nationals living in Hawaii.

     Several concerned individuals testified in support of this measure.  A concerned individual opposed this measure.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1)  Adding WHEREAS clauses stating that:

(A)  According to the 2010 Census data and the Pew Hispanic Center, the total population of Latinos in Hawaii is approximately 151,000 of which approximately 65,000 are Mexican;

(B)  The government of the United Mexican States has 73 embassies around the world and 51 consulates in the United States; and

(C)  The State of Hawaii benefits in the areas of business, agriculture, tourism, and culture from the presence of the Mexican community, which began in 1830;

     and

(2)  Amending the BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED clause by including the President of the United Mexican States and the Honorary Consul of Mexico in Hawaii to the list of persons to receive certified copies of this measure.

     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 H.R. No. 151, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as H.R. No. 151, H.D. 1.

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

____________________________

KAREN L. AWANA, Chair