RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, these challenging times require every American to support those directly and indirectly victimized by the tragic events of September 11, 2001; and

WHEREAS, the Hawaii State Legislature is pleased with the immediate, bipartisan action taken by the United States Congress and the President of the United States in making emergency appropriations for disaster-related assistance and the aviation industry; and

WHEREAS, other challenges remain, requiring all Americans to work together to preserve America's freedom and democracy, bolster the economy, and ensure the safety and security of America's people; and

WHEREAS, mainly because of Hawaii's unique geographic location and its dependence on tourism as its primary industry, the State of Hawaii has suffered unprecedented economic losses as a result of the terrorist attacks; and

WHEREAS, according to Economy.com, Honolulu's economy will be the fourth worst hit among the nation's top 318 metropolitan areas in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks; and

WHEREAS, the analysis found that only the economies of Las Vegas, Orlando, and Fort Worth are expected to suffer more than Honolulu; and

WHEREAS, Hawaii's two major air carriers, Aloha Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines, suffered significant losses, particularly from the federal government's unprecedented and immediate grounding of all air transportation; and

WHEREAS, the total number of initial unemployment compensation claims in Hawaii has tripled since September 11, 2001; and

WHEREAS, the total number of initial claims has increased by 447 percent for the last week of September as compared to the same period in 2000; and

WHEREAS, the percentage increases for initial claims are as high as 710 percent for transportation sector jobs and 2,232 percent for hotel and related sector jobs; and

WHEREAS, State Department of Labor and Industrial Relations officials report that if the number of unemployment claims continue at the same rate, it could jeopardize Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund reserves; and

WHEREAS, the U.S. Congress is considering several bills, such as S. 1454, H.R. 2955, and H.R. 2946, which provide temporary emergency extended unemployment benefits for employees who were employed in airline industry-related jobs; and

WHEREAS, another measure, H.R. 3022, proposes to provide a program for temporary enhanced unemployment benefits for all unemployed individuals; and

WHEREAS, although the Legislature can understand the need to help those losing their jobs in the airline industry, many other individuals who were employed in different industries have also lost their jobs as a result of the September 11^th tragedy; and

WHEREAS, for example, thousands of Hawaii's workers who had jobs at hotels, retail stores, and restaurants have suffered, just as much as their counterparts in the airline industry, from reduced hours, furloughs, and terminations because of the events of September 11^th; and

WHEREAS, these unemployed individuals, like their counterparts in the airline industry, also deserve the expanded economic insurance provided by Congressional proposals to maintain their families, homes, and obligations; and

WHEREAS, the events of September 11^th brought about such a profound change in the American way of life that the losses experienced by many may never be directly traced back to the actual events; and

WHEREAS, even when these losses cannot be directly traced back to the events of September 11^th, those affected are no less in need and no less deserving than those whose losses were directly caused by these events; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-first Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Third Special Session of 2001, the House of Representatives concurring, that Hawaii's Congressional delegation is requested to introduce or support federal legislation extending unemployment compensation benefits for all unemployed workers, regardless of whether the cause of unemployment can be connected to a specific industry or directly traceable to the events of September 11, 2001; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the U.S. Secretary of Labor is requested to support federal legislation extending unemployment compensation benefits for all unemployed workers, regardless of whether the cause of unemployment can be connected to a specific industry or directly traceable to the events of September 11, 2001; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to each member of Hawaii's Congressional delegation and the U.S. Secretary of Labor.

Report Title:

Extended UI Benefits