Bill Text: HI SCR165 | 2015 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Father Damien Way
Spectrum: Strong Partisan Bill (Democrat 12-1)
Status: (Passed) 2015-06-16 - Certified copies of resolutions sent, 06-16-15. [SCR165 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2015-SCR165-Amended.html
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THE SENATE |
S.C.R. NO. |
165 |
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TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015 |
S.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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SENATE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION
SUPPORTING THE CO-NAMING OF A SECTION OF 33RD STREET IN NEW YORK CITY TO FATHER DAMIEN WAY IN HONOR OF SAINT DAMIEN DE VEUSTER.
WHEREAS, Saint Damien De Veuster dedicated his entire priestly life to serving and ministering to patients of Hansen's disease in Kalaupapa on Moloka‘i, earning him the designation of the patron saint of people with Hansen's disease; and
WHEREAS, Saint Damien was originally from Belgium, where he was bestowed the title of "The Greatest Belgian" for his work as a priest (Order of the Sacred Hearts), leader, community planner, and visionary who understood human need and the true meaning of ministry; and
WHEREAS, in 1864, Father Damien was sent to Honolulu, Hawai‘i, where he was ordained at Our Lady of Peace Cathedral on Fort Street, and for the next nine years worked in missions on Hawai‘i Island; and
WHEREAS, in 1873, Father Damien volunteered to serve on Moloka‘i, where he cared for Hansen's disease patients of all ages, but was particularly concerned about the seclusion of the children in the colony; and
WHEREAS, in 1885, Father Damien announced he contracted Hansen's disease and continued thereafter to build hospitals, clinics, and churches, and some six hundred coffins for the people in the colony; and
WHEREAS, Father Damien died on Moloka‘i amongst his fellow patients who were his flock, as he was their shepherd; and
WHEREAS, Saint Damien's legacy is testimony to his vigorous advocacy for the universal human right to compassionate health care; and
WHEREAS, on May 11, 2015, a street-naming ceremony will be held in New York City, one day after Saint Damien's Feast Day on May 10, 2015, to co-name a section of 33rd Street between 1st and 2nd Avenues to Father Damien Way in honor of Saint Damien de Veuster; and
WHEREAS, the reason for the co-naming to Father Damien Way is that it is in proximity to the Bellevue Hospital which continues to treat and serve the needs of those with Hansen's disease, as well as the poor and underserved in New York City; and
WHEREAS, the Minister-President of Flanders, Geert Bourgeoise, will also be attending the ceremony in New York City; and
WHEREAS, the ceremony is expected to be attended by Hawai‘i's congressional delegation, the Governor of the State of Hawai‘i, Senator for the 7th Senatorial District of the State of Hawai‘i, Mayor of the County of Maui, Governor of the State of New York, Mayor of New York City, Roman Catholic Bishop of Honolulu, and Roman Catholic Archbishop of New York; and
WHEREAS, the National Statuary Hall in Washington, D.C., displays a statue of Saint Damien, sculpted by New York City sculptor, Marisol Escobar; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-eighth Legislature of the State of Hawai‘i, Regular Session of 2015, the House of Representatives concurring, that this body supports the co-naming of a section of 33rd Street in New York City to Father Damien Way in honor of Saint Damien de Veuster; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to Hawai‘i's congressional delegation, the Governor of the State of Hawai‘i, Senator for the 7th Senatorial District of the State of Hawai‘i, Mayor of the County of Maui, Governor of the State of New York, Mayor of New York City, Roman Catholic Bishop of Honolulu, and Roman Catholic Archbishop of New York.
Father Damien Way
