HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.R. NO.

48

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007

H.D. 2

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 


HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

 

URGING THE ADOPTION OF THE UNITED NATIONS' CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD.

 

 

 


     WHEREAS, in Hawaiian culture, the family is of central importance 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 the highest priorities; 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 regard to race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, or birth; 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 within 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, that the Legislature urges the State of Hawaii to adopt the United Nations' Convention on the Rights of the Child; 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 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.

Report Title:

Urging the Adoption of the United Nations' Convention on the Rights of the Child