STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1692

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.C.R. No. 55

       S.D. 1

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Government Operations, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 55 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS AND THE BARACK OBAMA FOUNDATION TO SUPPORT AND RECOMMEND HAWAII AS THE SITE FOR THE BARACK OBAMA PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND CENTER,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the United States Congress and the Barack Obama Foundation to support and recommend Hawaii as the site for the Barack Obama Presidential Library and Center.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawaii System, Hawaii Presidential Center, and one individual.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Kakaako Makai Community Planning Advisory Council and three individuals.

     Your Committee finds that Hawaii's multiculturalism, natural beauty, and personal connection to the President make it a desirable location for the Barack Obama Presidential Library and Center.  Hawaii would benefit from housing the library and center, as it would attract visitors and serve as a focus for President Obama's post-Presidential work. 

     Your Committee has reviewed the testimony of the Kakaako Makai Community Planning Advisory Council expressing concerns about the impacts a presidential center constructed in Kakaako would have on the community.  Your Committee notes that the site for the presidential center has not been selected and will ultimately be President Obama's choice.  The Hawaii Presidential Center is a nonprofit group established to work in concert with the University of Hawaii in bidding for the presidential center and maintains a website that provides the public with access to the latest information regarding Hawaii's bid to host President Obama's presidential center.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Adding language stating that presidential centers sponsor programs to make a better future;

     (2)  Replacing language regarding President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's observations during the dedication of his presidential library with language stating that presidential centers have evolved to include archives, museum exhibitions, conference facilities, university research programs, and educational initiatives;

     (3)  Replacing language regarding the function of a twenty-first century presidential library with language stating that a presidential center can be located in a single location or in more than one location;

     (4)  Requesting that the Barack Obama Foundation support and recommend the establishment of a Barack Obama Presidential Center in Hawaii;

     (5)  Amending the title to conform with the purpose of this measure; and

     (6)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency. 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Government Operations that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 55, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, in the form attached hereto as H.C.R. No. 55, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Government Operations,

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair