APPROVING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A COMMUNITY PATRIOTIC PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS.

    WHEREAS, the U.S. Armed Forces and their dependents represent a significant population group who are vital to the economic, cultural and social environment of the City and County of Honolulu; and

    WHEREAS, the City and County of Honolulu is the home of the Headquarters for the Pacific Command, the United States Army Pacific, Fleet Marine Force Pacific, the United States Navy's Pacific Fleet, the Pacific Air Force and the 14th Coast Guard District as well as of reserve service components such as the National Guard and the Civil Air Patrol; and

    WHEREAS, the State of Hawaii's Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism estimated that in 1999, there were more than 78,383 active armed forces personnel, dependents and their families on Oahu, and federal defense expenditures on Hawaii gross state product and employment were at over $4 billion; and

    WHEREAS, in February 1995, the Honolulu City Council acknowledged that it was in the interest of the people of the City and County of Honolulu to nurture its relationship with the military by establishing a Military Affairs Advisory Task Force (MAATF) to advise the Council on all military matters before the City, to serve as a liaison between the military and the Council, and to support the military population in Hawaii; and

    WHEREAS, since its establishment, the MAATF has met regularly to effectively discuss military issues, share ideas between the military and the community-at-large, and coordinate projects and activities that support the military and provide for military participation in the community; and

    WHEREAS, the U.S. Armed Forces also plays a vital role in the City of New Orleans, which is the world headquarters of the Marine Forces Reserve, the Navy Reserve (both Air and Surface), and the 8th District U.S. Coast Guard, the largest Coast Guarddistrict in the United States as well as the headquarters of the Louisiana Army and Air National Guard and the United States Air Force 926th Fighter Wing; and

    WHEREAS, the Mayor has requested that the Council approve the establishment of a partnership to develop a vigorous, ongoing relationship between Honolulu and New Orleans that focus on information-sharing on military issues and possible solutions and ideas on projects and activities that would further support and promote the military personnel, their dependents and our economy in both cities; now, therefore,

    BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City and County of Honolulu that this body approve the establishment of a Community Patriotic Partnership with the City of New Orleans, Louisiana and the City and County of Honolulu; and

    BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mayor work closely with the City Council's Military Affairs Advisory Task Force in establishing the Community Patriotic Partnership with New Orleans; and

                        
                                Councilmembers
DATE OF INTRODUCTION:

Honolulu, Hawaii

Policy Resolutions