State Representative McDermott and wife named Parents of the Year 2019 for Civic Leadership in DC ceremony

News Release from  National Parents Day

Washington DC, July 25, 2019 – State Representative Bob and Mrs. Utufa’asili (Utu) McDermott were named Parents of the Year 2019 in the Civic Leadership category in a ceremony at The Washington Times newspaper in Washington, DC Tuesday evening. Representative McDermott, who is in his seventh term in the Hawaii State Legislature, and Mrs. McDermott were honored in a citation that read:

“Retiring from the Marines as a Captain after the first Gulf war, the couple gave birth to their first of three children. They also rescued five more children from abusive and drug-abuse situations, bringing their brood to eight. ‘Our children are all bi-racial, and my wife and I are, so they fit in,’ he said. Today, they are blessed with eight grandchildren and growing. He has been vigilant in protecting the residents of the Ewa District, preventing an objectionable sexual lifestyles program for 10-year-olds that was proposed for public schools in violation of parental rights. Mrs. McDermott serves in two hospitals, applying her training as a Master of Pastoral Theology, to comfort the dying. She is the spiritual backbone of the family, ensuring regular church attendance and leading the adult ministry at her parish. Adopting children and continual service in the public sphere is their way to return blessings from God. In giving back, they are bright beacons of light, shining by example, for their family and community.”

Eight couples were honored Wednesday, July 24 at The Washington Times as National Parents of the Year for Parents’ Day 2019.

In I994 President Clinton signed into Public Law 103-362, making the fourth Sunday in July a national holiday called Parents’ Day. Like Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, this national holiday brings families together and honors responsible parenthood for instilling love in the family and community. Forty-one couples were nominated by Parents’ Day committees throughout the country. The selection committee was composed of community leaders active in faiths, business and academia. Co-chair of the selection committee this year was former Congressman Dan Burton of Indianapolis, Indiana and Mrs. Angelika Selle, of Bowie, Maryland who is president of the Women’s Federation for World Peace.

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“Rep. McDermott Receives National Honor”

News Release from Office of Rep Bob McDermott

State Representative Bob McDermott (R – Ewa, Ewa Beach, Ewa by Gentry, Iroquois Point) and his wife Utufa’asili J. McDermott have been named “Parents of the Year for Civic Leadership”, by the National Parents Day Committee. This is one of several categories that the committee recognizes; Rep. McDermott and wife were nominated by a group of local clergy leaders. The McDermotts were honored at a Banquet July 24th in Washington DC.

Rep. Bob McDermott said, “We are humbled to represent the community of Ewa Beach and Hawaii at large at this prestigious event. The real secret to our success is my wife, Utu. She is the hero of the family, besides being a mom to 8, grandma to 7, she is a dedicated volunteer Hospital Chaplin comforting the sick and dying. Her life is devoted to helping others. I am blessed to have her by my side for the past 33 years; any modest achievements I have accomplished have been made possible by her encouragement.”

In the United States, Parents' Day is held on the fourth Sunday of July. This was established in 1994 when President Bill Clinton signed a Congressional Resolution into law (36 U.S.C. § 135) for "recognizing, uplifting, and supporting the role of parents in the rearing of children." This award is the natural outgrowth of this resolution. All private citizens, organizations, and Federal, State, and local governmental and legislative entities are encouraged to recognize Parents’ Day through proclamations, activities, and educational efforts in furtherance of recognizing, uplifting, and supporting the role of parents in bringing up their children, so states the resolution.