On Tuesday, July 8, 2003, the Legislature went into special session to override six of the Governor's fifty vetoes. The Democratic legislators restored cuts to programs affecting the elderly, poor, and abused.
I believe that if help is not provided for certain vulnerable members in the community, problems will compound and government costs will increase. For example, statistics show that sexually abused survivors have a higher probability of using drugs than the general population.
I have supported safety and survivors of abuse since my days as student body Vice President at the University of Hawaii at Manoa where I pushed for safety on campus and served on the Sexual Harassment Policy Committee. My friends who survived sexual assault and abuse motivated me to take action on these issues. During my period as a college student leader, an acquaintance who claimed to have psychic powers told me, “When you become a politician, never forget why you entered politics.” I have not forgotten.
JON RIKI KARAMATSU 