[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 6 (Thursday, January 23, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S687-S688]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      RETIREMENT OF CLARENCE TABA

 Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I rise today to commemorate the 
retirement of Mr. Clarence Taba of Hawaii after 22 years of service as 
executive director of the Hawaii Bankers Association.
  During World War II, Mr. Taba was one of the young men who enlisted 
and became a member of the 442d Regimental Combat Team--an infantry 
unit composed of Americans of Japanese ancestry. Mr. Taba's courage was 
prominently displayed during the rescue of the Texas ``Lost 
Battalion''--141st Infantry of the 36th Division--in France, for which 
he earned a Silver Star and two Bronze Star Medals for leadership and 
gallantry in combat, and three Distinguished Unit Citations with 5 
battle stars, for his participation in pivotal battles in Italy and 
France.
  As a veteran, Mr. Taba served as the first State commander of the 
Hawaii Disabled American Veterans.
  Mr. Taba is well known and well respected within Hawaii's financial 
community. His financial career commenced shortly after the end of 
World War II, when he organized a Federal credit union for his 442d 
Regimental Combat Team comrades. Mr. Taba became the first American to 
qualify as a certified credit union executive, and was also the first 
American to be awarded the Edward Filene Award for Volunteer 
Achievement. He also served the Hawaii financial community as the 
mortgage operations officer for Bank

[[Page S688]]

of Hawaii, cashier for City Bank of Honolulu during its organizing 
years, Senior vice president and operations officer for the State of 
Hawaii's largest savings and loan at that time, and senior bank 
examiner for the State of Hawaii.
  Mr. Taba was appointed as the first executive director of the Hawaii 
Bankers Association in September 1975. Throughout the years, he has 
diligently worked to bring the local banks together, especially on 
significant issues such as the recodification of Hawaii banking laws, 
and the passage of such bills as the Credit Sales Contract Act and the 
Industrial Loan Act. He also spearheaded the many projects 
traditionally undertaken by the Hawaii Bankers Association throughout 
the calendar year, including the annual convention, installation 
luncheon, and various seminars. The Hawaii congressional delegation is 
extremely grateful for the assistance and guidance Mr. Taba has 
provided throughout his tenure at the HBA to ensure that Hawaii's 
interests were addressed.
  The Hawaii Bankers Association continues to be a key player in the 
State of Hawaii's economy. Despite stiff competition, the different 
banks always work together in the spirit of aloha and harmony. Mr. 
Taba, in his own special way, has ensured all of that.
  I wish to join the banking industry and the people of Hawaii in 
thanking Clarence Taba for his dedicated efforts over the years on 
behalf of the State of Hawaii and our Nation, and to wish him a happy 
and fulfilling retirement.
  Mr. FORD. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Enzi). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.
  Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to speak as if in 
morning business for 5 minutes.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

                          ____________________