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Hawaiian Delegation Visits the BPS
Superintendent Dr. James A. Williams and Dr. Ha'aheo L.A. Guanson
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Why would an educational delegation from Hawaii come to Buffalo, New York?
The answer: former Buffalo Mayor, Erie County Sheriff, and President of the United States Grover Cleveland, of course.
The year was 1893. Cleveland is the only U.S. President to serve non-consecutive terms: as the 22nd President and 24th President of the United States. According to the National Archives our nation’s 23rd President, Benjamin Harrison, “submitted a treaty to annex the Hawaiian Islands to the U.S. Senate for ratification.”
When President Cleveland returned to office for his second non-consecutive term following President Harrison he opposed the annexation of Hawaii and wished for the island to remain sovereign. The Hawaiian people to this day keep President Cleveland in high regard and respect his decision to fight to preserve Hawaiian sovereignty.
As part of a seven-year program and to celebrate President Grover Cleveland and Hawaii Restoration Day (April 30th) a contingency of educators, students, and other officials from Hawaii visit Buffalo to meet with various organizations, churches, and entities with ties to Grover Cleveland.
A delegation from Hawaii including: Rev. Dr. Kaleo Patterson and Dr. Ha’aheo L.A. Guanson from the University of Hawaii and the Pacific Justice and Reconciliation Center, Kingdom of Hawaii Interim Provisional Government Council Dennis Ragsdale, and students from the University of Hawaii spent time visiting Bennett Park Montessori School, students and staff from Grover Cleveland High School, and Superintendent Dr. James A. Williams. Rev. Hope Douglas J. Harle Mould from Saint Peter's United Church of Christ participated as well.
Students from Grover Cleveland High School who had lunch with the Hawaiian delegation, placed leis on statues of Grover Cleveland at City Hall, and met Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown were winners of the Western New York Regional History Day Competition. Students Victor Gonzalez, Sujakshan Rajendran, Francis Walelo, Paul Wie, teacher Mr. Richard Pyszczek, teacher Ahmed Omerhodcic, International Prep @ Grover Principal Kevin Eberle, and Superintendent Dr. James A. Williams were part of the BPS delegation.
The WNY Regional History Day winners produced and submitted a historical DVD about Grover Cleveland and will compete at the New York State History Day Finals in Cooperstown, New York.
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