[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 62 (Monday, April 27, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S4751]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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          TRIBUTE TO AGNES ``AUNTY AGGIE'' KALANIHOOKAHA COPE

 Mr. AKAKA. Madam President, I congratulate Mrs. Agnes 
Kalanihookaha Cope for receiving an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters 
degree from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. The honorary degree is 
typically conferred on worthy candidates who have distinguished 
themselves through outstanding contributions in areas other than 
science. The degree will be awarded at the University of Hawaii at 
Manoa Spring 2009 commencement ceremony.
  I wish to acknowledge ``Auntie Aggie,'' as she is fondly known, for 
her long dedication and inspirational efforts in organizing the 
practice, preservation and perpetuation of ethnic cultures in the state 
of Hawaii, particularly the Hawaiian culture. She has also demonstrated 
a commitment to improving the health of Native Hawaiians--physically, 
culturally, and mentally. Aunty Aggie is an established educator, 
talented and respected kumu hula or Hawaiian dance instructor, and an 
ardent advocate for Native Hawaiians. A few of her many noteworthy 
accomplishments include--founding the Waianae Coast Culture and Arts 
Society, helping to found the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health 
Center, and serving as board chair of Papa Ola Lokahi, the Native 
Hawaiian Health Care Organizations.
  Auntie Aggie is a true guardian of the culture and the arts. The 
legacy and testament to her work is the Agnes Cope Community and 
Cultural Health Award, which is issued by the Brown and Bakken World 
Health awards program for the purposes of bringing the community 
together and working collaboratively to improve world health. However, 
Aunty Aggie could not have achieved what she has done without the 
additional support and knowledge of her family and community. I commend 
all those who have helped in her efforts to be a leader in the Hawaiian 
renaissance and to keep the Native Hawaiian culture and community alive 
and thriving.
  I would also like to echo University of Hawaii Chancellor Virginia 
Hinshaw who said, ``Spanning four decades, Mrs. Cope's personal 
dedication and civic contributions to enhancing the health and 
education of Native Hawaiians and preserving their culture have 
improved the lives of all citizens of Hawaii.'' I congratulate Aunty 
Aggie and challenge the next generation to continue her important work 
and wish them all continued success in the years to come.

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