HAWAI‘I SENIOR SENATOR

Brian Schatz was appointed just three years ago this month to the United States Senate.  In November, 2014 he was elected by the people of Hawai‘i to fill the remaining two years of the late Senator Daniel K. Inouye’s remaining six year term.

WELL POSITIONED FOR HAWAI‘I

In the short three years that Senator Schatz has been serving the people of Hawai‘i he has procured a coveted seat on the Senate Appropriations Committee.  The Appropriations Committee assignment provides Senator Schatz with Subcommittee assignments on Defense, Military Construction/VA, Labor-Health and Transportation and Housing.  Senator Schatz seniority has increased on the Commerce Committee and he now has the position of the top Democrat on the Communications, Technology, Innovation and the Internet Subcommittee.

BRINGING IT HOME TO HAWAI‘I

Our Senator continues to keep Hawai‘i in the forefront of key legislation he is working on. Senator Schatz has authored and passed legislation to bolster tsunami warning systems, make our streets safer for pedestrians and bicyclists, protect the rights of consumers to provide candid online reviews, increase support for addressing climate change, combat illegal fishing, expand the National Sea Grant College program, and expand opportunities for Native Hawaiian education and Native Language programs. ($64 million Native Hawaiian Health Care and Education; $16.7 million for East West Center; 171 million for highway and transportation alternatives)

COLLABORATING WITH UHPA LEADERS AND MEMBERS

Working in collaboration with UHPA’s leadership and members, Senator Schatz convinced NASA to clarify its travel policies making it easier for UHPA members and partners to travel to and from Hawai‘i for research related projects and conferences.  He also successfully advocated for language in the appropriations bill that will allow the federal government as a whole to sanction official travel to and from Hawai‘i.

SENATOR SCHATZ “TALKS STORY” WITH FACULTY FORUM

UHPA is honored to have endorsed Senator Schatz in his 2014 campaign. We look forward to hearing his remarks and “talk story” with the Senator at the Faculty Forum. We appreciate his support and the opportunity to continue working with him in the future.