Mark Takai, National Guard lt. col., named to HASC

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House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio administers the House oath to Rep. Mark Takai, D-Hawaii, during a ceremonial re-enactment swearing-in ceremony, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2015, in the Rayburn Room on Capitol Hill in Washington. With them are Takai’s wife Sami and their two children Matthew and Kaila. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais )

HONOLULU — Rep. Mark Takai has been named to the House Armed Services Committee.

The congressman is a lieutenant colonel in the Hawaii National Guard.

Takai says he’s honored the Democratic leadership placed him on the committee because national defense is important to Hawaii.

He says his top priorities on the committee will include ensuring Hawaii remains at the center of defense rebalancing, ensuring Pearl Harbor continues growth as a Pacific hub and ensuring the environment is protected during training and operations.

Takai assumed office earlier this month.