WASHINGTON -- President Reagan marked the 25th anniversary of Hawaiian statehood by proclaiming Tuesday as Hawaii Statehood Silver Jubilee Day.
Reagan, in a proclamation released by the White House, said the admission of Hawaii to the union on Aug. 21, 1959, 'has proved to be of immense benefit both to the United States and to the state of Hawaii.'
The president said Hawaii, 'blessed with clean waters, pure air and extraordinary natural beauty,' has become 'an outstanding center of tourism,' as well as a major agricultural state.
'Always on the frontiers of technological progress, the state is an outstanding leader in commercial aquaculture, astronomy, ocean science and energy research and development,' he added. 'It is also essential to our national security as the site of some of the country's most renowned defense facilities.
'Finally, it is an important international commercial center and base for cultural and technical exchange with the Pacific nations.'
