CHRIS GARDNER VISITS GOVERNOR LINGLE TO DISCUSS OVERCOMING HOMELESSNESS

March 7 - Chris Gardner, whose life story was recently published in an autobiography, and served as inspiration for the movie, "The Pursuit of Happyness," visited Hawai`i, where he met with Governor Lingle, homeless service providers, developers, legislators and a homeless family to share his personal story and the obstacles he overcame as a single homeless father to achieve success.  Participating in a national conference on homelessness via videoconference from the Governor’s office, Gardner shared how like so many other working poor in America, he had a job, but could not earn enough to make ends meet.  Nevertheless, he continued to pursue his dream of achieving financial independence and today is the CEO of Chris Gardner International Holdings, an institutional brokerage firm.  Governor Lingle invited Gardner to meet with those involved in finding homeless solutions as well as homeless individuals to give them hope and inspiration.  "Keep going forward," Gardner replied when asked how he managed to overcome homelessness.  "Baby steps count, too." 

• View the meeting.