“Thank you Governor Lingle. On behalf of Speaker Say, the legislature, and more importantly the people of the state of Hawaii, we thank you for your public service.
My colleagues and I have all commented on the fact that this will be the most difficult legislative session that we will all face, many of us, probably, for our whole legislative careers. This is a time when we must work collaboratively. And for the people of the state of Hawaii, collaboratively doesn’t mean that we will always agree. Debate is good. Discussion is good. And we know, Governor, that we have had many of those over these years.
But what that means for everyone is that we will leave no stone unturned. That is what we must do to meet this challenge. And I know that the legislature, the Governor, and her cabinet, we’re all up to it, because we must be, for you, the people of the state of Hawaii.
I do want to say something that has never been emphasized, and in the honoring of Coach Shoji the Governor didn’t mention it, but I think it is also very important that in Governor Lingle we saw the first woman governor of the state of Hawaii. And as we heard the stories of Coach Shoji’s amazing career, we have spent all these years thinking as a girl, “We’re better than the boys; look at all the things he wins.” And as I look up at the robotics team and see so many young girls, remember, remember in the future, that you saw the first woman governor of the state of Hawaii. And we all owe you, Governor, a debt of gratitude for that. Because that propels girls and women ahead.
So on that note, Governor, again, on behalf of all of us, we thank you. We look forward to working collaboratively with you in this last year.
And now, I declare this joint session adjourned.”