THE SENATE

S.R. NO.

18

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2004

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 
   


SENATE RESOLUTION

 

endorsing and supporting THE SPIRIT OF HAWAII GOODWILL AND FRIENDSHIP COASTAL KOREA VISIT and urging the north korean government to support jae kwon lee and jonathan cowles on their journey to north korea.

 

 

WHEREAS, the idea for the Spirit of Hawaii Goodwill and Friendship Coastal Korea Visit began in 1997 when the Navy of the Peoples Republic of China sent the first goodwill visit to the United States and Honolulu; and

WHEREAS, the goodwill visit inspired and nurtured mutual understanding and respect between neighboring countries in the Pacific Asian basin; and

WHEREAS, Hawaii played a pivotal and historic role as both the gateway and bridge between East and West and inspired the building of the rowboat "Spirit of Hawaii"; and

WHEREAS, the "Spirit of Hawaii" rowed by Korean project coordinator Jae Kwon Lee and Jonathan Cowles, founders of the Hawaii Goodwill and Friendship Coastal Korea Visit, began its journey in Korea in 2003 to help commemorate the Korean Centennial of Immigration to the United States 1903-2003; and

WHEREAS, the journey enhanced and supported stability on the Korean Peninsula, improved public relations, and fostered the understanding of differing points of view and cultures; and

WHEREAS, success of the original South Korea project initiated an invitation to discuss continuing the project into North Korea as a broader gesture of goodwill; and

WHEREAS, the North Korean government has responded favorably and is awaiting further endorsement and support; and

WHEREAS, if the project is completed by rowing along the North Korean coast and the Yalu river, it will be a dramatic gesture in the best tradition of former President Dwight Eisenhower's People to People initiative; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2004, that this body hereby endorses and supports this project and urges the North Korean government to give its approval to Jae Kwon Lee and Jonathan Cowles to continue rowing their boat along the coast of North Korea, under the supervision of the North Korean Maritime Police; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to Jae Kwon Lee and Jonathan Cowles so they can present it to the North Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries.

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title:

Spirit of Hawaii Goodwill and Friendship Coastal Korea Visit