I was privileged to represent Hawai’i in the U.S. House of Representatives from November 2002 to January 2007. My service encompassed the last part of the 107th Congress (’01-’03) and all of 108th (’03-’05) and 109th (’05-’07) Congresses.

This is a very brief summary of my accomplishments as U.S. Congressman (‘02-‘07). Please let me know if you have any questions on any specific issues or efforts.

Download Extended Record (PDF)

DISTRICT/COMMUNITY OUTREACH

  • Personally conducted 172 Talk Story community town hall meetings throughout Second Congressional District, as well as Fort Polk, LA and Balad, Iraq (for Hawai‘i troops) and Washington, D.C. (for Hawai‘i community)
  • Answered about 200,000 communications from Hawai‘i residents
  • Welcomed thousands of visitors to my offices for meetings, visits and tours
  • Participated in countless meetings, ceremonies, events, festivals, site visits, tours and other gatherings on all islands
  • Visited our Hawai‘i troops in Iraq (2003, 2005) and Afghanistan (2004)
  • Provided periodic mailed and e-mailed congressional reports, newsletters and surveys
  • Appeared on weekly call-in radio shows and produced monthly public access television show statewide
  • Distributed specialized reports on veterans, labor, education, Native Hawaiian, Filipino American and other issues

CASEWORK

  • Assisted thousands of Hawai‘i residents with individual concerns (immigration, veterans and social security benefits, etc.)
  • Hosted immigration, education and other workshops in all counties with federal and state participation

COMMITTEES
Served on the following U. S. House committees and subcommittees:

  • Committee on Budget
  • Committee on Agriculture
    • Subcommittee on Livestock and Horticulture (Ranking member 109th Congress)
    • Subcommittee on General FarmCommodities and Risk Management
  • Committee on Education and the Workforce
    • Subcommittee on Education Reform
    • Subcommittee on Employer-Employee Relations
  • Committee on Small Business
    • Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform and Oversight
    • Subcommittee on Rural Enterprises, Agriculture and Technology
    • Subcommittee on Workforce, Empowerment and Government Programs
    • Subcommittee on Tax, Finance, and Exports
  • Joint Efforts with Congressional Colleagues

Participated as member of numerous Congressional caucuses in joint efforts, including:

  • Blue Dog Coalition (fiscally moderate/conservative Democrats)
  • Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (third ranking, executive board)
  • Congressional Caucus to Fight and Control Methamphetamine (Ice Caucus)
  • Congressional Travel and Tourism Caucus
  • Democratic T ax Policy and Budget Task Force (Vice Chair)
  • Homeland Security Caucus
  • House New Democrat Coalition (economically moderate Democrats)
  • Military Veterans Caucus
  • Renewable Energy and Efficiency Caucus
  • Rural Healthcare Coalition
  • U.S.-Philippines Caucus

Hosted colleagues in Hawai‘i congressional activities, including:

  • Congressman Donald Manzullo (R-IL) and House Small Business Committee in hearing (O‘ahu) on Hawai‘i small business issues
  • Congressman Wayne Gilchrest (R-MD) and House Resources Committee Subcommittee on Fisheries, Conservation, Wildlife and Oceans in endangered species hearing (O‘ahu) and Kilauea Point NWR site visit (Kaua‘i)
  • Congressman Frank Lucas (R-OK) and House Agriculture Committee Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Rural Development and Research in hearing (Hilo) on federal farm/ranch conservation programs
  • Congressman Mark Souder (R-IN) and House Government Reform Committee Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy and Human Resources in hearing (Kailua-Kona) and site visit (Wailuku) on crystal methamphetamine/ice
  • Congressman Souder and House Government Reform Committee in hearing (O‘ahu) on national park system

Wrote numerous joint letters with colleagues on variety of subjects and issues Represented the U.S. Congress on Congressional delegations overseas:

  • Israel/Palestinian Authority (2003)
  • Iraq, Kuwait and Germany (2003; ranking member)
  • Afghanistan and Pakistan (2004; ranking member)
  • Hong Kong (2004)
  • People’s Republic of China (2005)
  • Iraq, Qatar, Kuwait and Egypt (2005; ranking member)

LEGISLATIVE WORK

  • Introduced 35 bills, a number of which passed
  • Cosponsored over 700 bills and resolutions on all subjects, a number of which passed
  • Delivered House floor speeches or statements on almost 100 occasions
  • Answered some 2,000 House roll call votes
  • Obtained funding through congressional appropriations and federal grants for numerous Hawai‘i-specific efforts

SELECTED ISSUES

  • Opposed deterioration in federal budget and increase of $3 trillion in federal debt resulting from budget-busting revenue/spending imbalance and advocated for budget reform
  • Advocated for lobbying, campaign financing and congressional ethics reforms
  • Urged foreign policy focus on Asia-Pacific and especially China
  • Cosponsored comprehensive national economic recovery proposals
  • Fought for access by Hawaii’s small businesses to federal contracts
  • Cosponsored proposed national commission to review unnecessary federal programs and recommend termination, modification or retention
  • Advocated full federal funding of No Child Left Behind and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (special education) and increased local administrative flexibility
  • Supported recommendations of 9/11 Commission including intelligence overhaul
  • Opposed across-the-board federal efforts to weaken environmental laws
  • Advocated for full sanctuary status for Northwestern Hawaiian Islands
  • Introduced legislation to prevent invasive species introduction
  • Advocated for rural economic/healthcare assistance
  • Advocated Section 8 increased funding and expansion, a National Housing Trust Fund, and other enhanced federal affordable housing assistance
  • Fought to preserve/enhance veterans benefits, including health care, concurrent receipt, survivor benefit plan and burial allowance
  • Urged Senate ratification of Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)