Honolulu Central Seventh-day Adventist Church – Festival of Religious Freedom

Below is my speech for the Honolulu Central Seventh-day Adventist Church’s Festival of Religious Freedom.  I freestyled so I went a little off the written speech.

Aloha and good morning,

My name is Jon Riki Karamatsu and I am a State Representative from District 41, which comprises of Waikele, Royal Kunia, Village Park and Waipahu.  I am honored to be here today to participate in your Hawaii Festival of Religious Freedom.

Your festival gives everyone the opportunity to celebrate the importance of religious freedom, and to spread the aloha spirit, a spirit of hospitality and compassion.  A unity of all people of diverse backgrounds makes us stronger in our quest to better our world.

I want to thank your church for all the work you do to teach compassion.  I truly believe that compassion can lead one to happiness, and ultimately to peace within.  When a majority of the people are compassionate, happy, and peace, a majority of the world will be at peace.  That is how we can achieve world peace.

I have been a strong advocate for peace.  In the 2007 Legislative Session, my Peace Day Bill, House Bill 345 was signed into law as Act 023 by the Governor on April 18, 2007.  The law establishes September 21st annually as Peace Day in Hawaii to promote peace programs, improve international relations, and increase educational awareness of peace.  I was inspired to create this bill after being approached by the Hawaii Federation of Junior Young Buddhist Association members, who presented a similar resolution to their state council.  I chose September 21st because it was already designated as the International Day of Peace by the United Nations.  I am looking forward to celebrating our second Peace Day celebration on Sunday, September 21st and hope you will be able to participate in our celebration.

I would like to extend my best wishes and warmest aloha to all of you.  I hope you have a very successful and rewarding weekend.

Thank you.