[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 11] [Senate] [Pages 15136-15137] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]REMEMBERING ``CJ'' WILLIAM S. RICHARDSON Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the life of my friend, a consummate civil servant and respected legal mind, ``CJ'' William S. Richardson. Bill Richardson was born into a working class family of mixed ethnic [[Page 15137]] heritage representative of Hawaii's community. He was part Native Hawaiian, part Chinese, and part Caucasian. From these humble beginnings, one of Hawaii's greatest figures emerged. Like many men in my generation, Bill fought in World War II, serving as a platoon leader for the U.S. Army; he would later be inducted into the Infantry Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame. This was just one of many achievements in a life filled with distinction: Bill served as chairman of Hawaii's Democratic Party from 1956 to 1962, providing strong advocacy for statehood, which Hawaii achieved in 1959. From 1962 to 1966, he served as the State's Lieutenant Governor. In 1966, Bill became the first Native Hawaiian to serve as Chief Justice of the Hawaii State Supreme Court. As ``CJ,'' he deftly blended Hawaii's history and cultural practices with modern law, establishing a traditional Hawaiian understanding of water rights as the law of the land, and demanding public access to Hawaii's shoreline. Yet his dedication to Hawaii did not stop at writing landmark legal opinions that redefined the State. It was Bill Richardson who recognized the need to build a law school in Hawaii. He was dedicated to creating more, and better, educational and professional opportunities for Hawaii. In keeping with his personal and legal opinions, he remained focused on the need for such opportunities within Hawaii's most disadvantaged communities. With this vision, and by his perseverance, Bill worked with Hawaii's legislature to open Hawaii's first, and only, law school in 1973. The school, appropriately named the William S. Richardson School of Law after its greatest champion, has committed itself to educating attorneys from places as close as Honolulu and as far away as Thailand, with a clear focus on educating the Pacific's traditionally disadvantaged groups. The school continues to follow Bill's vision: to promote justice, ethical responsibility and public service. The law school was, perhaps, Bill's best and most profound achievement. Bill passed away on June 21, 2010, at the age of 90. Although I am saddened by my friend's passing, I am comforted by knowing that his legacy will live on through his family, his work, and the thousands of attorneys educated by the school bearing his name. ____________________