[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 113 (Thursday, August 1, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1192-E1193]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING ERNEST ``JUGGIE'' HEEN, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. TULSI GABBARD

                               of hawaii

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 1, 2013

  Ms. GABBARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Ernest ``Juggie'' Heen, 
Jr., an iconic son of Hawai`i. ``Uncle Juggie,'' as he was known by 
everyone who loved him, often shared his gift for story-telling, his 
sense of humor, keen intellect, and love of Native Hawaiian customs and 
traditions. He was an accomplished musician who performed Hawaiian 
songs that are rarely heard today.
  Born on August 31, 1930, to one of Hawai`i's most prominent political 
families, Uncle Juggie was the seventh of nine children. Uncle Juggie 
learned of Hawai`i's unique multi-cultural traditions and political 
dynamics at a young age. It was with his friends, many of whom were 
children of plantation workers, that he began the lifelong embrace of 
people from all heritages and his passion for service.
  Uncle Juggie would often tag along with his father who became 
increasingly immersed in Hawai's political scene. One particular event 
where his father brought food to striking dock workers in the 1940s 
made a lasting impression on Juggie as a child. From that moment, he 
committed himself to organized labor in Hawai`i. In the 1960s, Uncle 
Juggie later went on to serve three terms in the Hawai`i State 
Legislature.
  Uncle Juggle was a mentor to many, especially those engaged in the 
political process. In 2012, Uncle Juggie was honored with the 
prestigious Lifetime Achievement award from the Democratic Party of 
Hawai`i. He was also honored by the Honolulu City Council, the Hawai`i 
State Office of Veterans Services, and the Department of Defense during 
the commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of the Korean War.
  His older brother, Judge Walter Heen, described Uncle Juggle as ``a 
true character'' and one who ``had the keen ability to perceive 
underlying issues that people were glossing over and was able to 
express the essence of those issues very clearly and succinctly.'' 
Always an advocate, in his final years he became a strong and visible 
proponent for Hawai`i's Death with Dignity movement--giving the 
terminally ill in Hawai`i complete autonomy over their end-of-life 
decisions and care.
  Uncle Juggie was diagnosed with lung cancer in 1998. Although it went 
into remission, it returned to his liver and pancreas a few years 
later. After fighting courageously for more than two years with the 
support of the many people he mentored, Uncle Juggie passed away on 
June 30, 2013.
  Uncle Juggie, thank you very much (mahalo nui loa) for your service 
to Hawai`i and our nation. Your legacy lives on in all of us. Love to 
you. (Aloha oe.)

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