HILO – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) will pay tribute to the late Senator Daniel K. Inouye for his distinguished public service as they rename the U.S. Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center in his honor during a ceremony in Hilo, Hawaii, on Wednesday, July 2, at 11:00 a.m. The new name of the center will be the Daniel K. Inouye U.S. Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center. Attendance is by invitation only. Media should contact Marilyn Tagalicod at (808) 932-2100 to cover the event.
Among the honored guests will be Ms. Irene Inouye, widow of Senator Inouye, and President of the U.S.-Japan Council.
The ceremony will feature remarks from:
· The Honorable Mazie Hirono, United States Senator from Hawaii
· The Honorable Colleen Hanabusa, Representative from the Hawaii 1st Congressional District.
· The Honorable Tulsi Gabbard, Representative from the Hawaii 2nd Congressional District
· Dr. Chavonda Jacobs-Young, Administrator, USDA-ARS [TBC]
· Dr. Andrew Hammond, Pacific West Area Director, USDA-ARS
· Mr. Vernon Harrington, Hawaii State Plant Health Director
· Mr. Ross Sibucao, President, Hawaii Papaya Industry Association (HPIA)
· Ms. Jennifer Goto-Sabas, Director, Daniel K. Inouye Institute Fund
ARS is the chief scientific research agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The mission of the U.S. Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center is to develop basic and applied information to strengthen agriculture in Hawaii and the Pacific Basin in an environmentally acceptable and sustainable manner by managing and developing tropical plant genetic resources, developing new technologies and germplasm for improving crop productivity by reducing physiological and disease constraints, developing and demonstrating appropriate strategies for managing crop pests, providing economically viable technologies for controlling quarantine pests, ensuring product quality and safety, and increasing economic returns.