THE SENATE

S.C.R. NO.

181

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2004

PROPOSED

STATE OF HAWAII

S.D. 1

   


SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

RECOMMENDING THE LONG-TERM CARE VETERANS AFFAIRS STATE HOME IN HILO BE NAMED IN HONOR OF YUKIO OKUTSU.

 

WHEREAS, governmental buildings and facilities are traditionally named for distinguished members of our nation who have made significant contributions; and

WHEREAS, the naming of buildings for national heroes is a fitting tribute to honor exemplary achievements; and

WHEREAS, many buildings bear the names of courageous soldiers whose valorous actions in combat exemplify the highest traditions of military service; and

WHEREAS, the legendary 100th Infantry Battalion/442nd Regimental Combat Team had an unparalleled record of accomplishments during World War II, when it became the most decorated unit of its size, and was awarded numerous presidential unit citations in crucial battles, most notably the rescue of the "Lost Battalion"; and

WHEREAS, many structures now memorialize members of the 100th Infantry Battalion/442nd Regimental Combat Team, perpetuating their deeds which helped to save the world; and

WHEREAS, examples of such memorials include a medical clinic named after James Okubo at Madigan Army Medical Center at Fort Lewis, Washington; a federal courthouse in Seattle named after William Nakamura; an army logistics support vessel named after Robert T. Kuroda; the Spark M. Matsunaga Veterans Affairs Medical Center at Tripler Army Medical Center; a baseball field at Fort Shafter named after Shigeo "Joe" Takata; the Go For Broke Memorial in Los Angeles; the Daniel K. Inouye Building at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, Maryland; and the Brothers in Valor monument at Fort DeRussy; and

 

 

WHEREAS, a ninety-two bed U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) long-term care facility, commonly referred to as a VA State Home, is now being designed for construction on the campus of the Hilo Medical Center; and

WHEREAS, the VA State Home will provide long-term care and day care services for Hawaii and Pacific Island veterans; and

WHEREAS, naming the new VA State Home for a Big Island war hero would be an appropriate means of honoring the extraordinary contributions of a decorated soldier who was also a respected community leader; and

WHEREAS, the late Yukio Okutsu of Hilo, who served with the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, is the recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor, our nation's highest award for valor, earned during fierce fighting on Mount Belvedere, Italy, where his bold actions under heavy fire destroyed enemy soldiers and positions and enabled his platoon to resume its assault on a vital objective; and

WHEREAS, naming the VA State Home after Mr. Okutsu would be a fitting tribute in recognition of his distinguished service; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Okutsu truly exemplified the meaning of duty, honor and country; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-Second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2004, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Governor of Hawaii is requested to name the VA State Home as the YUKIO OKUTSU VETERANS CARE HOME - HILO; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, the members of Hawaii's congressional delegation, the Adjutant General and Director of Civil Defense, the Director of Health, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, the Advisory Board on Veterans' Services, the 442nd Veterans Association of Hawaii, the 442nd Veterans Club, the 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans, the Hilo Medical Center Foundation, and Mrs. Yukio Okutsu.

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

VA State Home – Hilo; Naming in Honor of Yukio Okutsu