[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 180 (Tuesday, December 13, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1714]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING THE LIFE OF HAWAI`I STATE REPRESENTATIVE CLIFT TSUJI

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. TULSI GABBARD

                               of hawaii

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 13, 2016

  Ms. GABBARD. Mr. Speaker, on November 15, 2016, the Aloha State lost 
the Honorable Clift Tsuji, a soldier, a Hawaii State Representative, 
and a loving father. Born and raised in the plantation town of 
Papa`ikou, Representative Clift Tsuji served the people of Hawaii 
Island throughout his 75 years of life.
  After graduating from Hilo High School in 1959, Representative Tsuji 
served as a U.S. Army Reservist with the 442nd Infantry, Company B, out 
of Hilo from 1959-1965. He completed post-secondary degrees at the 
University of Hawaii at Manoa and the University of Washington, Pacific 
Coast Banking School. In 1969, he began work at Central Pacific Bank, 
beginning a career with Central Pacific that spanned 34 years.
  After retiring from Central Pacific Bank in 2003, he served as the 
Vice President of the Hilo Candy Company until 2004, when he was 
elected to serve the people of Keaukaha, Pana`ewa, Waiakea, and parts 
of Hilo in the Hawai`i House of Representatives. In the State House, 
Representative Tsuji served as the Chair of the House Agriculture 
Committee, where he helped champion legislation to fight invasive 
species and strengthen Hawai`i's biosecurity. His dedicated service on 
the House Agriculture Committee was widely recognized, and among many 
other awards, he was named the Hawai`i Farm Bureau's Legislator of the 
Year in 2015.
  Representative Tsuji was known to his constituents as a passionate 
leader, a dedicated public servant, and an advocate for the Hilo 
community. In addition to his work in business and government, he was 
an active member of many local and statewide organizations including 
the Hilo Medical Center Foundation, Hawai`i Island Japanese Community 
Association, Tsunami Museum, Hiroshima Kenjin Kai, Hawai`i Island 
Chamber of Commerce, and the Kumamoto Kenjin Kai.
  One of the last conversations Representative Tsuji had with his son 
Ryan was about making sure he could continue to pass important 
legislation for his constituents in the next legislative session. 
Whether it was a construction project in Hilo, or a biosecurity bill 
benefitting the entire State of Hawai`i, Representative Tsuji was 
committed to delivering results for his constituents and the people of 
the Aloha State.
  Just a few days before his death, I saw Representative Tsuji at the 
Hilo Veterans Parade and, as usual, he was full of aloha, as he 
welcomed me to the community he loved so much. My heart is with his 
children, Ryan and Ashley, and all of Hawai`i Island. Clift, you are 
missed. Mahalo nui loa (thank you) for dedicating your life to serving 
our community in the spirit of aloha. Ke Akua me ke Aloha (God bless 
you).

                          ____________________