STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1845

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2005

RE: H.C.R. No. 151

H.D. 1

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Higher Education and Energy, Environment, and International Affairs, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 151, H.D. 1, entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A HAWAII GLOBAL YOUTH CENTER,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to support the establishment of a Hawaii Global Youth Center.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Intergenerational Network, International Student/Young Pugwash, Reford-McCandless International, and two individuals.

The health, welfare, and education of children and families are part of the basic foundation of values shared globally that should be provided for all children and youth. The Millennium Young People's Congress held in Hawaii in October 1999 demonstrated the value of a collective global vision by and for the children of the world as well as the need for a forum for international discussion of issues facing children and youth. The World Youth Congress and representatives from the Kingdom of Morocco met in Hawaii in March 2003 and in Morocco in 2004, demonstrating the collaboration and international discussion that a global youth center can promote. World peace is a major collaborative goal, and youth are key to attaining world peace, sustainability, and productivity for future generations.

The populations of countries in Asia and the Pacific Rim are the largest and fastest growing segments of the world's population, with young people representing the largest percentage of those populations. Your Committees believe that Hawaii's location, at the center of the Pacific Rim between Asia and the Americas, with its diverse culture, and its many shared languages, provides an excellent strategic forum for meetings and exchanges. Your Committees support the planning of a Hawaii Global Youth Center and support wide-ranging and diverse dialogue on the purpose, activities, and funding sources for the Center.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Higher Education and Energy, Environment, and International Affairs that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 151, H.D. 1, and recommend its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Higher Education and Energy, Environment, and International Affairs,

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J. KALANI ENGLISH, Chair

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CLAYTON HEE, Chair