Hawaii Sets May 6 as Hawaii Tzu Chi
Day
(Translated by Mei-Jane Hsieh, San Jose,
California)
Governor Benjamin Cayetano of Hawaii announced
May 6 as Hawaii Tzu Chi Day to affirm the contributions Tzu
Chi people have made for the state.
Over the past five years, the efforts Tzu
Chi people in Hawaii have made in promoting the foundation's
missions of charity, medicine, education and culture have been
widely applauded. They set up a Tzu Chi Humanities School, and
volunteers offer regular free clinics and work with a local
food bank to distribute food to the needy. At the Tzu Chi anniversary
celebration on May 6 this year, Governor Cayetano publicly announced
this date as Hawaii Tzu Chi Day.
When Master Cheng Yen heard the news in Hualien,
she also felt very proud. She said, "Once people abroad
recognize that what Tzu Chi people do can motivate their society
and country, they will appreciate and recognize your contributions."
This is the second country in which
a Tzu Chi Day has been established. The first Tzu Chi Day was
set up by Mater Misericordiae Hospital in Brisbane, Australia,
in gratitude for the efforts of Tzu Chi volunteers there. Tzu
Chi's spirit of Great Love has thus again received international
recognition.
