HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.C.R. NO.

38

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

Recognizing november 21st as INTERNATIONAL peace AND RECONCILIATION day in the state of hawaii.

 

 

 


     WHEREAS, during the last sixty years of humanity's existence on Planet Earth, the technology and knowledge attained by mankind has greatly surpassed all of the advancements and discoveries made in the estimated six thousand years of civilization prior to our modern era; and

 

     WHEREAS, the incredible advancements in science, mathematics, and computer development made since the year 1947 have given rise to not only constructive technologies, but also destructive weapons beyond the wildest imaginations of our ancestors, unparalleled and unprecedented in their power, including among others, combined effect cluster bomb munitions, fuel air explosive bombs (FAEs), explosive magnetocumulative generator warheads (EMGs), high energy excimer chemical lasers, electromagnetic kinetic cannons, neutron enhanced thermonuclear weapons, intercontinental ballistic missiles armed with multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs), extremely low altitude cruise missiles such as the 3M-80E Moskit (NATO reporting name: SS-N-22 "Sunburn"), and near-invisible to radar, very low observable (VLO) stealth aircraft; and

 

     WHEREAS, even a lone pilot flying a single modern-day military aircraft such as the Sukhoi Su-37 Terminator has the capacity to inflict more devastation than even a whole air force of World War II aircraft; and

 

     WHEREAS, as evidenced by the severity of conflicts around the world, these new destructive technologies have the power to annihilate or render unproductive large regions in a very short period of time; and

 

     WHEREAS, the technology of warfare presents an incredible temptation to world leaders to act unilaterally and without thoughtful consideration to either global political consequences or moral implications; and

 

     WHEREAS, the technology of warfare likewise presents an incredible temptation to insurgents, unlawful combatants, and even disgruntled persons to resort to violence without thoughtful consideration to either global political consequences or moral implications; and

 

     WHEREAS, the esteemed scientist, Albert Einstein once observed, "I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones"; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Legislature is deeply concerned about the future of our Planet's ohana and keiki, all of whom are created in God's image and brothers and sisters by nature of their humanity; and

 

     WHEREAS, on November 21, 1973 as a response to the aftermath of the 1973 Arab-Israeli War (also known as the Yom Kippur War), a group of concerned persons named that day "World Hello Day" in which persons send communications and greetings to other persons as a means of expressing mutual peace; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Legislature recognizes the value of communication, interaction, peaceful exchanges, and activities such as "World Hello Day" in promoting unity, friendship, and aloha; and

 

     WHEREAS, there comes a time in the course of human events, when a threat must be answered with courage and strength, and no greater threat presents us today than the threat of self-annihilation as a result of misunderstandings, poor communication, lack of interaction, and overall indifference for one another; and

 

     WHEREAS, our ancients and forefathers fought for the right to be free, and now, as children of their works, we must guard that dream; and

 

     WHEREAS, the geographic position of Hawaii presents an incredible opportunity for international contact and meaningful exchange with the world; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2007, the Senate concurring, that this body recognizes November 21st as International Peace and Reconciliation Day in the State of Hawaii, a day dedicated to understanding differences and resolving conflicts peacefully; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature humbly encourages persons, organizations, and world governments to observe International Peace and Reconciliation day by doing one or more of the following:

 

     (1)  Attending, participating in, or hosting events                 structured at fostering awareness of cultural,                 historical, or political differences between nations,              and celebrating those differences;

 

     (2)  Celebrating humanity by greeting one another with kind         speech, exchanging unique gifts, and taking the time               to eat meals and "talk story" with one another for the       purpose of freely discussing without fear,                        embarrassment or condemnation, one's concerns,                   burdens, and emotional needs;

 

     (3)  Assembling together to hold hands across the State and         around the world, as a symbolic representation of             human unity;

 

     (4)  Dedicating songs, poems, prayers, and dances in honor              of peace and reconciliation;

 

     (5)  Seeking reconciliation and peace by reaching out to            persons, nations, and governments and that are                 offended or estranged;

 

     (5)  Wearing or displaying a white ribbon to symbolize              peace and reconciliation; or

 

     (6)  In instances of armed conflict, militaries and                 governments are asked to observe a mutual ceasefire or         cessation of hostilities wherever possible or                  applicable.

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that duly certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to:

 

     (1)  The Governor of the State of Hawaii;

 

     (2)  The Speaker of the US House of Representatives;

 

     (3)  The President pro tempore of the US Senate;

 

     (4)  The President of the United Nations General Assembly;

 

     (5)  The Secretary-General of the United Nations;

 

     (6)  The Chairperson of the African Union;

 

     (7)  The Secretary-General of the League of Arab States;

 

     (8)  The President of the European Commission;

 

     (9)  The Secretary-General of the Organization of American              States;

 

     (10) The Office of International Education at the                   University of Hawaii;

 

     (11) The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum;

 

     (12) The Board of Directors of the Bulletin of the Atomic               Scientists; and

 

     (13) The Hallmark Corporation.

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

 

 

Report Title: 

International Peace and Reconciliation Day