On the recordJuly 20, 2010
I rise today in support of House Resolution 1470, which recognizes the life, achievements, and distinguished career of the late Bill Richardson, Chief Justice of the Hawaii Supreme Court. William Shaw Richardson was born in Honolulu on December 22, 1919. Raised in Kaimuki and a graduate of a public school, Roosevelt High School, Bill worked in pineapple canneries to pay his way through the University of Hawaii. He then earned a law degree from the University of Cincinnati. Bill later enlisted in the Army and served as platoon leader with the 1st Filipino Infantry Regiment during World War II. In 1956, Bill served as chairman of Hawaii's Democratic Party. He was elected to the office of Lieutenant Governor in 1962. In 1966, Governor John A. Burns appointed him as chief justice of the Hawaii Supreme Court. C.J. Richardson served on the court for 16 years. C.J. Richardson was our Nation's first native Hawaiian Supreme Court chief justice. Working closely with his fellow justices, C.J. incorporated native Hawaiian traditional and customary practices into State law and expanded public rights.
