The Hawai`i State Democratic Women’s Caucus issues a statement of strong support for the candidacy of Hillary Rodham Clinton for President of the United States.
This is the first time in our Nation’s 240-year history that a woman has a real chance to shatter the hardest, but not unbreakable, glass ceiling. As Democratic Women we applaud Hillary Clinton’s long-standing support for choice, for equal pay, and Title IX – equal access to education among many other issues that affect the women of our nation and the world.
Let us remember that, in 1995 at the 4th International Women’s Conference, her historic speech redefined the issue of women’s rights as human rights. Her attendance at that Convention was controversial, unprecedented and courageous for a First Lady.
In Women’s History Month it is worth remembering her words in Beijing.
“It is a violation of human rights when babies are denied food, or drowned, or suffocated, or their spines broken, simply because they are born girls.
“It is a violation of human rights when women and girls are sold into the slavery of prostitution for human greed — and the kinds of reasons that are used to justify this practice should no longer be tolerated.
“It is a violation of human rights when women are doused with gasoline, set on fire, and burned to death because their marriage dowries are deemed too small.
“It is a violation of human rights when individual women are raped in their own communities and when thousands of women are subjected to rape as a tactic or prize of war.
“It is a violation of human rights when a leading cause of death worldwide among women ages 14 to 44 is the violence they are subjected to in their own homes by their own relatives.
“It is a violation of human rights when young girls are brutalized by the painful and degrading practice of genital mutilation.
“It is a violation of human rights when women are denied the right to plan their own families, and that includes being forced to have abortions or being sterilized against their will.”
We believe that women’s rights are the foundation of a civilized society. We are grateful for Ms. Clinton’s long career fighting for peace, security and equal rights for women and girls, breaking barriers and making it easier for others who follow to flourish and thrive. But the struggle continues.
We therefore applaud and support the candidacy of Hillary Rodham Clinton to be the first woman president of these United States.
Several prominent leaders from Hawaii’s Japanese-American community today announced their endorsement of Hillary Clinton for president. Joined by U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono and leaders from across the Aloha State, former Governor George Ariyoshi and Irene Hirano Inouye cited Hillary Clinton‘s progressive agenda to break down the barriers that hold people back and her lifelong record of delivering real results in their endorsement of Clinton‘s candidacy.
“From her plan to help veterans struggling with homelessness to her policies that would help families get ahead and stay ahead, Hillary Clinton has shown time and again she is committed to breaking down the barriers that hold us back and to making a real difference in people’s lives,”said former Governor George Ariyoshi. “I know that, as president, Hillary will be the leader Hawaii needs in the White House. I encourage all Hawaii Democrats to stand with Hillary in the Presidential Preference Poll on March 26.”
“Hillary Clinton has been a champion for the people of Hawaii and families across the country, and she has a lifelong record of delivering real results,” said Irene Hirano Inouye. “As someone who has been active with U.S.-Japan relations, I have seen firsthand her work to restore America’s leadership and make the world safer. I am proud to endorse Hillary, as Dan did in 2008, because I know that she has the experience to break down barriers to opportunity at home and advance our national priorities on the world stage.”
Hillary for Hawaii has ramped up its organizing presence in the state in recent weeks, opening its state headquarters in Honolulu and holding numerous grassroots organizing events. Volunteers and supporters are working around the state to speak with friends and neighbors about the importance of standing with Hillary in the upcoming Presidential Preference Poll on Saturday, March 26. Supporters interested in learning more or getting involved can do so by visitinghillaryclinton.com/hawaii.
The following Hawaii Japanese-American leaders support Hillary Clinton for president:
The Hon. George Ariyoshi, former Governor of Hawaii
Irene Hirano Inouye
The Hon. Mazie K. Hirono, U.S. Senator
The Hon. Mark Takai, U.S. Representative
The Hon. Colleen Hanabusa, former U.S. Representative
The Hon. Shan Tsutsui, Lieutenant Governor of Hawaii
The Hon. Ron Kouchi, Hawaii State Senate President
The Hon. Jill Tokuda, Hawaii State Senator
The Hon. Michelle Kidani, Hawaii State Senator
The Hon. Scott Saiki, House Majority Leader of the Hawaii State Legislature & Mrs. Patsy Saiki
The Hon. Takashi Ohno, Hawaii State Representative
The Hon. Linda Ichiyama, Hawaii State Representative
The Hon. Carol Fukunaga, Honolulu City Councilmember
The Hon. Patricia Loui
Ed Hasegawa
Michele Kurihara-Klein
Amy Yukiko Monk
Craig I. Nakanishi
Russell Okata
Malia Oshima Paul
Karen Oura
Ken & Saedene Ota
Gary Saito
Stefanie Sakamoto
Bernie Sakoda
Debbie Shimizu
Ember Shinn
Anthony Takitani
Barbara Tanabe
Yoshie Tanabe
Pieper & Lois Toyama
Robert Toyofuku
