Bill Text: HI SR95 | 2010 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: North Korea; Hawaii; Cultural, Educational, and Sports Exchanges

Spectrum: Strong Partisan Bill (Democrat 10-1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2010-03-15 - (S) Referred to TIA. [SR95 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2010-SR95-Introduced.html

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THE SENATE	S.R. NO.	95
TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2010
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE RESOLUTION

 

 

ENCOURAGING THE STATE OF HAWAII TO CONDUCT CULTURAL, EDUCATIONAL, AND SPORTS EXCHANGES WITH THE DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF KOREA.

 

 

     WHEREAS, cultural, educational, and sports exchanges provide rich opportunities for citizens of different countries to learn from each other, learn about each other's country, and be introduced to different ways of life; and

 

     WHEREAS, these exchanges also allow each participating country to showcase the talent, cultivation and training methods, and performance styles particular to that nation, and for those individuals to meet and interact with their colleagues abroad; and

 

     WHEREAS, these types of exchanges are often helpful in promoting understanding and a foundation for fostering relationships both for the individuals involved and those who formulate and implement diplomatic policy; and

 

     WHEREAS, viewers and participants of cultural, educational, and sports exchanges gain an appreciation of the other country's positive attributes through the experience and enjoyment of these events, which also contributes to positive relationships and foreign relations; and

 

     WHEREAS, in its earlier, unified condition, Korea was known as the "Land of the Morning Calm," and its citizens viewed themselves as people who love peace and nature; and

 

     WHEREAS, the United States first formal treaty with Korea was the Treaty of Amity and Commerce in May 1882, which permitted Korean immigration to America; and

 

     WHEREAS, Hawaii was the first port of entry for immigrants from Korea to the United States, with the small, initial group arriving in 1902, and later with the first large wave of immigration on January 13, 1903, when fifty-six men, twenty-one women, and twenty-five children arrived; and

 

     WHEREAS, Korean emigrants and their descendants in Hawaii have played a significant role in the development of our islands cultural diversity; and

 

     WHEREAS, in July 2002, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, hereinafter referred to as "North Korea", began experimenting with private capitalism; and

 

     WHEREAS, since 2002, North Korea has allowed foreign investment, and permitted the Swiss government to establish the Pyongyang Business School to help teach business management to students; and

 

     WHEREAS, the proposed exchanges may be conducive to North Korea rethinking its isolationist policy, which severely restricts international trade; and

 

     WHEREAS, as South Korea is a crucial market for agricultural products from the state of Washington, representing more than $300,000,000 annually, North Korea and Hawaii may potentially benefit from instituting trade relations as well; and

 

     WHEREAS, on June 15, 2000, both North and South Korea signed the North-South Joint Declaration, in which each promised to seek out a peaceful reunification; and

 

     WHEREAS, on October 4, 2007, the leaders of both North and South Korea pledged to hold summit talks to reaffirm their commitment to mutual non-aggression and officially declare their war over; and

 

     WHEREAS, the highest level American contact was the visit made by United States Secretary of State Madeleine Albright in 2000; and

 

WHEREAS, in February 2009, the New York Philharmonic Orchestra became the first American musical group ever to perform in North Korea; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-fifth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2010, that the United States of America and the State of Hawaii are encouraged to explore conducting cultural, educational, and sports exchanges with North Korea, including collaboration with local cultural, educational, and sports institutions, agencies, and organizations, including organizations whose participation is vital for the implementation of successful exchanges; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the United States of America and the State of Hawaii collaborate with the University of Hawaii, Spark M. Matsunaga Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, East-West Center, State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, and other interested stakeholders, to conduct these cultural, educational, and sports exchanges between the State of Hawaii and North Korea; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States; the Secretary of State; the United States Department of State; Hawaii's congressional delegation; the Governor; the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; the President of the University of Hawaii; the Director of the Spark M. Matsunaga Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution; and the President of the East-West Center.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title: 

North Korea; Hawaii; Cultural, Educational, and Sports Exchanges