(Washington, D.C.) – Today, Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) delivered remarks honoring former Hawaiʻi State Senator Sam Slom, who will be celebrated and remembered this Sunday at the Hawaiʻi State Capitol. Slom served in the Hawaiʻi State Senate for 20 years, from 1996 to 2016, serving as the only Republican member in the State Senate from 2010 to 2016.
“I had the honor and privilege of serving alongside Sam. Yes, we disagreed on many things but more than not, we saw eye to eye. Especially when it came to lowering costs for working families and being good stewards of taxpayer dollars. Sam was a statesman until the very end and given the partisan times that we find ourselves in, I truly miss my friend,” said Rep. Jill Tokuda.
A video of Rep. Tokuda’s remarks can be downloaded for media use here.
Rep. Tokuda’s extended remarks as entered into the record:
Mr. Speaker,
I rise today to celebrate the life of one of my favorite Republicans, my former colleague, my friend, the late Hawaii State Senator Sam Slom.
For 20 years, Sam represented East Honolulu's 9th Senatorial District, and for almost half that time, he was the sole Republican member of the Hawaii Senate earning him the self-imposed nickname, "The Lone Ranger."
As one of a handful, or the only, member of the minority party, Sam read every bill, every resolution, and defied time and space to try and get to every committee and vote.
I had the honor and privilege of serving many years side by side Sam. Yes, we disagreed on many things, but more than not, we saw eye to eye. Especially on our commitment to lowering the cost of living for middle class working families and good fiscal stewards with taxpayer dollars.
Prior to his service in the State Senate, Sam served as the chief economist for the Bank of Hawaii, and for over 30 years he was the President and Executive Director of Small Business Hawaii.
There is much that could be said about the boy from Allentown, Pennsylvania who found his way to Hawaii in the sixties and made Hawaii his home.
What I can personally share is that he was often the member I could count on to be there. When I needed his vote, even if he disagreed, he'd help me get it to the floor and was open and honest with me on why he disagreed.
He was a statesman till the very end, and given the partisan times we find ourselves in, I truly miss my friend.
Mahalo Sam for blessing us with your wisdom, your advocacy, and your friendship. There are more Hawaiian hoary bats in our islands because of you and we will forever remember you as the lone ranger who challenged our minds and won our hearts.
###