Senate Committee on Tourism and Government Operations (TSG) - chair: Nishihara, vice chair: Mercado Kim

Thursday, March 29, 2007, 1:15 p.m. Room 229

Testifier: JoAnn Maruoka, Legislative Committee member, LWV-Hawaii

Click here to view HB345

The League of Women Voters of Hawaii strongly and proudly supports HB 345 to establish September 21 of each year as Peace Day to promote peace programs, improve international relations, and increase education awareness of peace. As we testified on the very similar SB 260, the goals of Peace Day are in consonance with positions of the League: to promote peace, and thereby increase security in an interdependent world by working cooperatively with other nations and strengthening international organizations; to advance the achievement of humanitarian, environmental and social goals; and to limit reliance on military force. Especially in these dangerous and turbulent times, we believe the need to consciously and actively work toward these stated goals is vital, and Peace Day provides such a focus. The bill is clear that September 21 would not be a state holiday. Rather, it is an opportunity for the Aloha state to demonstrate our commitment to positively addressing the social, economic and humanitarian needs of all people. We urge you to pass HB 345, and thank you for the opportunity to testify in its support.