May 1994

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President's Message (Suzanne Meisenzahl) Domestic Violence League of Women Voters "Ad Watch" League Participation in Growth Conference, June 21, 1994 League and Educational Reform (Libby Oshiyama & Marion Saunders) Waikiki Rezoning Killed Hawaii's Infostructure Cogel Conference Dec. 4-7, 1994 City Council Report Candidates in Focus In Memoriam Membership

President's Message The Hawaii delegation to the National conference pose before the Banquet. Left to right: Sue Irvine, Hawaii State Board, Suzanne Meisenzahl, President, Honolulu League, John Kearns, Honolulu League, Arlene Ellis, past president Honolulu League, Cira deCastillo, State Board, Yvonne Kearns, Honolulu League. The 41st League of Women Voters National Convention in Washington, D.C. on June 11-14 was a star-studded event. The kickoff of the 75th Anniversary Celebration of the League opened with an address by Janet Reno, Attorney General of the United States: "It was in 1971, when I worked as Staff Director of the House Judiciary Committee in Florida, that I came to understand the force and effect of the League of Women Voters. We were engaged in the revision of the Judicial Article of the Florida Constitution, a subject that had been very difficult up until that time. "The rest of the Constitution had been revised But, the Judicial Article had failed in revision attempts because of the power of many judges. "I saw a network across Florida of women, who were members of the League, who formed together to make sure that the revision was passed. And, it is still in effect today, a living, evolving document that reflects so much of the effort of the League of Women Voters. "I watched as I would come to town to talk to mayors, to talk to a group, to persuade them that they should vote for the Constitutional amendment. And, I would be met by League representatives who could give me savvy political advice on how to deal with people and talk about principle and theory in ways that it should be done. "It was at that time that I joined the League, because I had never seen such an effective community organization in action in all my time until that point." said Ms. Reno. Hillary Rodham Clinton addressed the closing session, focusing on her efforts for Health Care Reform, gearing everyone up for the following day on the hill where the League held a rally in support of Health Care Reform prior to individuals lobbying their congressman on this subject. Issues for Emphasis suggested by National and adopted by the delegate body included Health Care, Early Intervention for Children at Risk, and Crisis in the Cities. Also passed as an additional issue for emphasis was Opening Government to Citizens. A concurrence with the Minneapolis study on Violence Prevention and the Illinois study on Early Intervention for Children at Risk, including Child Abuse, also carried and immediately became part of the League official program. This year the issues for emphasis are interrelated and encompass a number of issues that cross over traditional League categories. Because of this, the method in which the issues for emphasis are presented and adopted are different than in previous years. This year's convention also focused on coalition building, diversity, electronic linkups and increasing membership. Two new membership tools were introduced. The first, a new video incorporating both humor and facts, is an orientation to League history and procedures to be used with prospective and new members. We have ordered 4 of these videos and we will tie them into our membership drive. The second, a six-part packaged program explaining League operation, can be used as a refresher for current members and an explanation for new members. The 1996 convention will be the end of our 75th Anniversary Celebration and will culminate in a special Women's Suffrage Anniversary Train from Washington, D.C. and St. Louis to the convention site in Chicago. Plan now for this historic and fun-filled event! Health Care Reform Rally on the Capitol steps-left to right: Piikea Miyamoto, Honolulu League, Suzanne E. Meisenzahl, Pres. Honolulu League, Sue Irvine, Hawaii State Board, Cira deCastillo, Hawaii State Board. Suzanne Meisenzahl Service to a just cause rewards the workers with more real happiness and satisfaction than any other venture in life -Carrie Chapman Catt, Founder, League of Women Voters

May 1994

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August-September 1994