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President-elect George W. Bush's nominee to be the U.S. attorney general won't take away the rights of women and minorities, said the chairwoman of the Bush for President campaign in Hawaii. Isle Republican
defends Bush’s
attorney general pickState Rep. Barbara Marumoto (R, Waialae Iki) defended the choice of John Ashcroft, saying it will be his job as the top law enforcement official in the country to enforce laws, not write new ones.
"Just as with previous Republican administrations, the rights of women and minorities will be safe in the new Bush Cabinet. We have nothing to fear but more political rhetoric and scare tactics," Marumoto said. Her comments came after a coalition of 200 liberal groups vowed last week to fight Ashcroft's nomination.
"I am confident that President-elect Bush will continue the inclusive 'big tent' Republican philosophy, which respects a range of opinions on controversial issues," Marumoto said.
Bush's choices for Cabinet secretaries are capable, competent leaders who are qualified and reflect America's diversity, she said.
AKAKA ASSIGNMENTS: Hawaii U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka received additional committee assignments for the 107th Congress. Akaka was appointed to the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Select Committee on Ethics.
His first order of business on the Armed Services Committee is his participation in the confirmation hearing of Defense Secretary-nominee Donald Rumsfeld.
"The Defense Department has a considerable impact on the economy of our state," Akaka said. "I look forward to continuing to work with the DOD ... to meet our nation's security interests in the Pacific and around the world."
Akaka retains his seats on the Energy Committee, Natural Resources Committee, Governmental Affairs Committee, Indian Affairs Committee and Veterans' Affairs Committee. He also remains the ranking Democrat on two subcommittees.
PUBLIC SCHOOL SUPPORT: Two House Republicans responded to the call this past week by state Schools Superintendent Paul LeMahieu for additional money for the public school system.
Rep. Bob McDermott (R, Foster Village), who sits on the House Education and Higher Education committees, said he supports LeMahieu's efforts to gain resources for the Department of Education over and above the governor's "flaccid" education budget.
"The Legislature will certainly look with favor upon his call for more money for our schools," McDermott said.
Meanwhile, Rep. Guy Ontai (R, Mililani) said more needs to be done to overcome an impending shortage of principals, with 67 percent of educational officers eligible to retire during the next five years. "This extremely high number (of) principals coming up for retirement provides an opportunity to get serious about real reform in the educational system," Ontai said.
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