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C~H~~4 ~~~V - ~ cT ~ <br /> May 2, 1997 (~Cf~cl~r~ <br /> Coucilman John Santangelo <br /> Hawaii County Council <br /> 25 Aupuni Street <br /> Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br /> Dear John, <br /> I am writing to express my deep appreciation for your consideration and principled support for Bill <br /> 62, as amended, to establish apost-harvest irradiation facility. <br /> This ordinance, approved by the Council Finance Committec on April 24, provides an appropriation <br /> to support post-harvest infrastructure for Hawaii's agricultural exports. The committee wisely adopted <br /> amendments to specify areas for funding and to assure accountability by the Council for all contracted <br /> expenditures. Local growers, too, expect to share in the capital financing of this project and to promote <br /> thoughtful marketing and public education efforts in support ofpost-harvest quarantine technology. We <br /> welcome your counsel and collaboration in these efforts. <br /> Our agricultural economy stands at the threshold of a promising new era. Our papaya industry is <br /> registering new gains after a period of setbacks. Tropical Inuit growers are poised to enter mainland markets <br /> with an exciting array of fresh, high quality exotic produce. Our research community - CTAHR, ARS, <br /> APHIS and others -will gain much by the availability of a Hawaii-based irradiation facility to investigate <br /> protocols for other commodity exports. Our export flower and foliage industries also support welcome its <br /> contribution to applied sterilization uses. <br /> We, in Ka'u, are now faced with great challenges but even greater opportunities in agriculture. As we <br /> begin this period of diversification it is encouraging to have your support of this initiative. We feel that <br /> irradiation and other post-harvest methods will provide a critical link in our long term plan to expand <br /> markets for our products. <br /> We realize that it took conviction and courage, on your part, to support this measure as this is <br /> <br /> a highly controversial issue. We are counting on your continued support of agriculture in the future. <br /> Mahalo, { <br /> ~~t~ti~i~-pv V~Lvrt~,2~-.._ <br /> i' <br /> uim~„. bo. 2/2.327 <br /> F°41e I(o._1 <br /> Bef ~ Prasentea <br /> Iltf.1 <br /> 4ter. Date '.MAY 0 7 ~9T <br /> <br />