HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.R. NO.

154

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

 

URGING THE CONGRESSIONAL PACIFIC islands Caucus to Reintroduce AND ADVOCATE FOR THE PASSAGE OF THE "ENGAGE THE PACIFIC ACT”.

 

 

 

     WHEREAS, broadening and deepening engagement with Pacific Islands is vital to securing allies in the Asia-Pacific region; and

 

WHEREAS, the Asia-Pacific region plays an outsized role in the national security interests of the United States and the world; and

 

WHEREAS, islands in the Pacific face major challenges such as natural disasters, economic obstacles, maintenance of civil society, and threats to democracy and sovereignty from maligned actors; and

 

     WHEREAS, in 2023 and 2024 the 118th United States Congress considered the Engage the Pacific Act; and

 

WHEREAS, the Engage the Pacific Act took into account specific requests from Pacific Island leaders and priorities identified by United States government officials; and

 

WHEREAS, the Engage the Pacific Act would require the Secretary of State to establish a Committee on Engagement with Civil Society Organizations in the Pacific Islands; and

 

WHEREAS, the Engage the Pacific Act would also require the Secretary of State to further develop the United States’ communications strategy in the Pacific region; and

 

WHEREAS, the Engage the Pacific Act would also support professional development and higher education scholarship programs for Pacific Island citizens; and

 

WHEREAS, despite these many benefits, the 118th United States Congress failed to pass the Engage the Pacific Act; and

 

WHEREAS, renewed consideration and the ultimate passage of the Engage the Pacific Act would demonstrate the United States’ sustained commitment to the Pacific Islands; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, that the United States Congressional Pacific Islands Caucus is urged to reintroduce and advocate for the passage of the Engage the Pacific Act; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to all members of the United States Congressional Pacific Islands Caucus.

 

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

 

 

 

 

 

Report Title: 

Pacific Islands Caucus; Congress; Engage the Pacific Act