STAND. COM. REP. NO.  259-20

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2020

 

RE:   H.B. No. 1947

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Public Safety, Veterans, & Military Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 1947 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO WORLD WAR II COMMEMORATION,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds for programs, ceremonies, and activities commemorating the seventy-fifth anniversary of the end of World War II, which will be observed on September 2, 2020.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of the Veterans' Services, Department of Defense; Hawaii Tourism Authority; U.S.S. Missouri Memorial Association; Pacific Fleet Submarine Memorial Association; Chamber of Commerce Hawaii; 75th WWII Commemoration Committee; Hawaii Lodging & Tourism Association; and one individual.

 

Your Committee finds that the observance of this milestone anniversary is a recognition of the sacrifices of the men and women who served in World War II, the important role Hawaii played geographically and in terms of troop contributions, and the suffering and loss of life of all people involved.  This measure will provide funding needed to support the observance.

 

Your Committee also finds that the youngest survivors of the war are in their early 90s and this occasion may be the last time they will be honored on such a scale.  Approximately one hundred to two hundred veterans from the State and around the country are expected to participate.  Additionally, your Committee finds that the commemoration events will allow for the sharing of a global message of peace.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion.

 

     Should your Committee on Finance decide to hear this measure, your Committee respectfully requests that it consider appropriating $250,000 for the World War II commemoration programs, ceremonies, and activities.  These funds will supplement the $500,000 in funding being provided by the Hawaii Tourism Authority.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety, Veterans, & Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1947, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1947, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

 

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety, Veterans, & Military Affairs,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

GREGG TAKAYAMA, Chair