HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.C.R. NO. |
69 |
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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HOUSE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION
URGING THE ADOPTION OF THE UNITED NATIONS' CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD AS A GUIDELINE FOR ADDRESSING CONCERNS RELATED TO HAWAII'S KEIKI.
WHEREAS, in Hawaiian culture, the family is the central aspect of society as expressed by the concept of ohana, and the responsibilities and privileges of parenting, guardianship, and advocacy for children are opportunities to enable a child's life to be meaningful; and
WHEREAS, in Hawaii, the sustainability of the culture of ohana is dependent upon making a child's safety and well-being a priority when making decisions for development, transportation, economic prosperity, or environmental wellness; and
WHEREAS, the principles of the Charter of the United Nations affirm that the recognition of the inherent dignity and the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice, and peace in the world; and
WHEREAS, the United Nations, in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenants on Human Rights, has affirmed that everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth therein, without distinction of any kind, such as race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth, or other status; and
WHEREAS, the United Nations, in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, has proclaimed that each child is entitled to special care and assistance; and
WHEREAS, the family, as the fundamental unit of society and the natural environment for the growth and well-being of all its members and particularly children, should be afforded the necessary protection and assistance so that it can fully assume its responsibilities with the community; and
WHEREAS, each child, for the full and harmonious development of the child's personality, should grow up in a family environment, in an atmosphere of happiness, love, and understanding; and
WHEREAS, to be fully prepared to participate as a member of society, each child needs to be brought up in the spirit of the ideals of the United Nations Charter, especially in the spirit of peace, dignity, tolerance, freedom, equality, and solidarity; and
WHEREAS, on November 20, 1989, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Convention of the Rights of the Child; and
WHEREAS, 192 nations have entered as signatories to the Convention of the Rights of the Child; and
WHEREAS, the preamble to the State of Hawaii Constitution proclaims that the State of Hawaii is dedicated to the fulfillment of the State motto, "Ua mau ke ea o ka aina i ka pono," meaning, "The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness"; and
WHEREAS, to protect, nurture, and care for our keiki is an underlying principle for Hawaii as a Pacific Island community; and
WHEREAS, 13 percent of all Hawaii's children live in poverty; and
WHEREAS, 21 percent of the homeless are children age nine or younger, and one out of three are age 17 or younger; and
WHEREAS, the Convention on the Rights of the Child contributes to awareness of the problems of children in Hawaii and around 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 the Legislature urges the State of Hawaii to adopt the United Nations' Convention on the Rights of the Child as a guideline addressing concerns relating to Hawaii's keiki; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature urges the President to request that Congress ratify the Convention on the Rights of the Child; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, the Governor, Attorney General, Director of Finance, Superintendent of Education, Director of Health, Director of Human Services, Director of Public Safety, and the Chairperson of the Board of Regents of the University of Hawaii.
Urging the Adoption of the United Nations' Convention on the Rights of the Child