WASHINGTON -- The relatively cooperative spirit that has characterized impeachment in the Senate -- as opposed to the fractious House -- might just have a bit to do with Hawaii's U.S. Sen. Dan Akaka. Akaka prays for harmony
in impeachment trialBefore senators met yesterday in the historic caucus that yielded a bipartisan framework for a trial, the mild-mannered Akaka delivered an opening prayer that emphasized harmony and love.
His closing line, perhaps a remnant from his early days as a music teacher, was a plea for the senators to reach for a pitch from God in order to do their work in harmony. The harmony theme was picked up by other speakers at the meeting, Senate aides said.
It was Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, R-Miss., who picked Akaka to deliver the opening prayer -- and who introduced the isle Democrat as a beloved fellow senator although they seldom agree on issues. Asked why his boss was selected, spokesman Paul Cardus said Akaka is a "very active participant" in the weekly Senate prayer group. It's bipartisan.
FIREWORKS BAN BACKED: If calls last week to the offices of Gov. Ben Cayetano and state House Clerk Patricia Mau-Shimizu are an indication, isle residents overwhelmingly favor his call for banning fireworks statewide, except in controlled circumstances for religious and cultural events. Two days after Cayetano made his position known, about 90 percent of the approximately 80 callers to his office said they back his position.
In the House, Janine Kurosawa, the chief clerk's administrative services manager, said even before Cayetano's pronouncement, they got calls complaining about what was seen as excessive fireworks that were exploded to celebrate the start of 1999.
After Cayetano's declaration, most callers seemed to feel "they were finally getting help from somewhere," Kurosawa said.
By Star-Bulletin staff