STAND. COM. REP. NO. 963

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 1420

       H.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 1420, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FILIPINO VETERANS BURIAL ASSISTANCE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds for burial grants for qualifying World War II Filipino-American veterans to provide funeral and burial services and transportation of their remains to the Philippines.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Philippine Consulate General; Office of Veterans Affairs; Hawaii Civil Rights Commission; Friends of Civil Rights Hawaii; Hawaii Filipino Lawyers Association; Nursing Advocates and Mentors, Inc.; National Federation of Filipino American Associations Region 12; Filipino American Citizens League; and four individuals.

     Your Committee finds that honoring the final wishes of World War II Filipino-American veterans is necessary for demonstrating the proper respect for the sacrifices that those veterans made in protecting the nation.  Many World War II Filipino-American veterans have been separated from their families, who have remained in the Philippines, for a long time and it is regrettable that these veterans have not been able to be re-united with their families.  Assisting World War II Filipino-American veterans still living in the State with any prospective funeral and burial costs, including the costs of returning their remains to the Philippines if they so desire, would demonstrate the State's appreciation and respect for their service.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1420, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs,

________________________________

CLARENCE K. NISHIHARA, Chair