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Winter 1992 | February 1993 |
 President's Message (Evelyn Bender)Health Care Study - Phase 2Board of Directors MeetingMembers of the Hawaii Firearms CoalitionReport from the National Convention (Evelyn Bender)LWVHI Extends its Appreciation for Contributions1992 Legislative Session (Evelyn Bender)State Council 1992Historical Perspectives of Home Rule in Hawaii (Frank F. Fasi)75th AnniversaryImportant Dates for 1992-93Leasehold QuestionsLeague on the Light Side |
Report from the National ConventionSoon after State Council, President of the Honolulu League, Arlene Ellis, and I attended the LWVUS convention in Boston. For me, it was like going home since I had lived there for 30 years and had been very active in the League on a local and state level. It was a great opportunity to greet many former acquaintances and to be updated on governmental and League issues there. We did work, however. A Vigil for Choice march, complete with banners, was held from the convention hotel to a nearby church, where delegates heard Sarah Weddington, the attorney who argued Roe v. Wade before the Supreme Court in 1973. Her message was disturbing because she believes that it is only a matter of time before Roe v. Wade is overturned. She urged women everywhere to continue the fight for their rights. Delegates adopted program, the LWVUS budget, and changes to the bylaws. The continuation of the Health Care Study, calling for the evaluation of public and private mechanisms for financing and administration of health care in the United States, was heartily endorsed. However, there was concern about the proposed study process. Delegates felt that a voter tear-off type consensus by October 19, 1992 would not allow sufficient time to learn about the issues or provide an opportunity for discussion. They, therefore, voted for more intense study utilizing the usual consensus process. Consensus will be due by February 10, 1993. In addition to Health Care, issues for emphasis for the coming biennium will include Election Reform, Right to Privacy in Reproductive Choice, and Waste Management and Pollution Control. Delegates voted to allow local and state leagues to use the LWVUS position against term limitations at state and local levels. A non-recommended study item, Rebuilding the U.S. Economy, was narrowly defeated. Although only a modest budget emphasizing advocacy was adopted, it was necessary to increase the Per Member Payment from $18 to $19. Most of the bylaw changes were adopted to improve administration and economize. One other change removes the requirement of residence within the U.S. for League membership. This means that U.S. citizens , regardless of where they live, may become full voting members. It was suggested that the LWVUS establish local leagues at overseas military bases. For the first time since the 1940's, there was a contested election for officers and directors. In true League fashion, a candidates forum was held so delegates could meet and listen to the candidates. The Nominating Committee's slate, with the exception of the Nominating Committee Chair, was elected. Perhaps this was a message that the delegates supported the candidates but wanted the process changed. See the June/July 1992 National Voter, page 6 for information on the officers and directors. Other convention highlights were: a talk by political analyst Kathleen Hall Jamieson, who gave examples of the use and abuse of various forms of attacks in political campaigning; a panel of women officeholders who discussed their experiences as candidates and in office; an address by Gail Sheehy, author of Passages and Silent Passages; and oral history presentations by past League activists, who told of their League experiences with a good deal of humor. One 92-year-old, Helen Green Ainsley concluded with:
Doesn't that sound like a lot of old-time League members you know? Evelyn Bender |
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