Bill Text: HI HR175 | 2011 | Regular Session | Introduced

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Recognizing the severity of the crisis being experienced by the people of Japan with the recent events of an earthquake and tsunami.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 5-2)

Status: (Passed) 2011-04-19 - (H) Resolution adopted in final form. [HR175 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2011-HR175-Introduced.html

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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	175
TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2011
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

 

RECOGNIZING THE SEVERITY OF THE CRISIS BEING EXPERIENCED BY THE PEOPLE OF JAPAN WITH THE RECENT EVENTS OF AN EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMI AND URGING THE HAWAII STATE GOVERNMENT EXPRESS THE COMPASSION OF THE HAWAIIAN PEOPLE, THE ONENESS IN OUR CULTURAL OHANA, AND FINANCIAL AND BUSINESS TIES, AND FURNISHING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, BASIC NECESSITIES, AND MENTAL HEALTH CARE TO THE JAPANESE PEOPLE.

 

 

 

     WHEREAS, the country of Japan has on Friday, March 11^th, 2011 experienced its most severe natural disaster in this century with a 9.1 magnitude earthquake, followed by numerous after-shocks, and massive destruction by a tsunami, with the consequent loss of life and property; and

 

     WHEREAS, a number of villages and population centers now face the crises caused by the destruction of their homes, stores and offices, commercial complexes, harbors and airports, roads and bridges, and other infrastructure including nuclear power plants; and

 

     WHEREAS, many Japanese families living in those areas most severely damaged are now homeless, and many lack the basic necessities of electricity, water and food, and medical care, and are facing the  need for massive clean-up of debris in their towns and consequent safety and health issues; and

 

     WHEREAS, damage to Japan's nuclear plants not only limits the country's ability to generate electricity, but presents an ominous threat of nuclear injury and creates an atmosphere of severe stress and apprehension among the people; and

 

     WHEREAS, besides the physical toll and physical loss experienced by the Japanese people, there are the psychological and mental stress considerations of persons and families who have experienced sudden loss of loved ones, leading to deep and profound sadness; and

 

     WHEREAS, the people of Japan have deep historical, cultural and family ties with the people of Hawaii through financial and business inter-connections, and in multi-generational family relationships; and

 

     WHEREAS, the people of Hawaii wish to express their compassion for the plight of the Japanese people and desire to generously offer assistance to them, financially, medically or in other form; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-sixth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2011, that a joint letter be prepared by the majority and minority leaders of the Hawaii State Legislature together with the Governor of Hawaii and sent to the Prime Minister of Japan expressing the condolences of the people of Hawaii for the recent catastrophic events and the determination of the people of Hawaii to support and help the people of Japan; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Departments of Health and Human Services coordinate with the Hawaii Red Cross, Salvation Army, local churches, and charities, who wish to send basic necessities such as clothing, blankets, non perishable food and medical supplies to Japan; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Departments of Health and Human Resources coordinate and organize a group of Hawaii mental health professionals to travel to Japan to render mental health care and consultation to the Japanese people during this period of stress and bereavement; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Prime Minister of Japan and to each Governor in each of the forty-seven Prefectures, the President of the United States, the Senate President and the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the Governor of the State of Hawaii, the Senate President and Minority Leader of the State of Hawaii Senate, the Speaker and Minority Leader of the Hawaii House of Representatives, the Director of the Hawaii Department of Health, the Director of the Hawaii Department of Human Services, the Salvation Army-Hawaii Chapter, and the American Red Cross-Hawaii Chapter.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title: 

Urging the Hawaii State Government to express the compassion of the Hawaiian People and furnishing financial assistance, basic necessities, and mental health care to the Japanese people.