Political Quotes

“House Resolution 1470 honors the life, achievements, and distinguished career of Chief Justice William S. Richardson. Chief Justice Richardson was a leading proponent of the rights of Native Americans throughout his 16-year tenure as Hawaii State Supreme Court Chief Justice. He was primarily known for drawing on ancestral Hawaiian customs rather than Western common law in his decisions. He has been credited with triggering a ``renaissance'' in pride in native identity and the language and culture of Native Hawaiians. Born in 1919, William Richardson worked his way through the University of Hawaii, where he received his undergraduate degree. He went on to earn a law degree from the University of Cincinnati. Upon graduating from law school in 1941, he volunteered for the Army Air Corps, and later served as a platoon leader with the 1st Filipino Infantry Regiment. After World War II ended, he returned to Hawaii, where he served in the Judge Advocate General Corps. He was later inducted into the Infantry Office Candidate School Hall of Fame. Fueled by a sense of patriotism, William Richardson aligned himself with the emerging Hawaii Democratic Party, eventually serving as its chairman from 1956 to 1962. In 1963, he became the lieutenant governor under Governor John Burns. Just a few years later, he was appointed Chief Justice of the Hawaii Supreme Court, where he served for 16 years.”