HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	18
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

Requesting the Hawaii Office of Veterans' Services to prioritize policies and services expanding financial and other forms of benefits for Hawaii National Guard veterans, retirees, and veteran-owned small businesses.

WHEREAS, the Hawaii National Guard, which consists of the Hawaii Army National Guard and Hawaii Air National Guard, provides fully-manned, operationally-ready, and well-equipped units in support of federal and state missions; and

WHEREAS, the Hawaii National Guard serves as an integral component of the Total Force by maintaining units that can promptly respond to any national contingency ranging from war and peacekeeping missions to nation-building operations; and

WHEREAS, soldiers and airmen of the Hawaii National Guard support the local communities in response to natural disasters, human-caused crises, and the unique needs of the State; and

WHEREAS, throughout the decades of service, the Hawaii National Guard has been vital to the safety and protection of the people of Hawaii, from floods, hurricanes, and lava eruptions; and

WHEREAS, the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, caused a massive mobilization and deployment of United States forces, sending more than one thousand Hawaii National Guard veterans and retirees to dangerous, volatile, and unstable areas of the world, such as Iraq and Afghanistan; and

WHEREAS, although Hawaii National Guard veterans and retirees recognized their duty and proudly served their nation, the call-up undeniably disrupted their personal and professional lives; and

WHEREAS, Hawaii National Guard veterans and retirees suffered a significant loss of income while still having to meet rents and mortgages, car payments, child care costs, tuition fees, and a host of other expenses; and

WHEREAS, the Hawaii National Guard Enlisted Association advocates for changes to policy impacting enlisted men and women of the Hawaii National Guard, veterans, retirees, and their families; and

WHEREAS, as a beneficiary of their courageous and dedicated service, the State bears a sacred responsibility to veterans, particularly Hawaii National Guard veterans and retirees who proudly and faithfully served the United States, the State of Hawaii, and communities; and

WHEREAS, Hawaii National Guard veterans and retirees should be provided as much support as possible, and the impact on their lives should be minimized to the greatest extent feasible; and

WHEREAS, one way the State can express its appreciation to Hawaii National Guard veterans and retirees is by providing them with enhanced benefit; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2024, the Senate concurring, that the Hawaii Office of Veterans' Services is requested to prioritize policies and services expanding financial and other forms of benefits for Hawaii National Guard veterans, retirees, and veteran-owned small businesses; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Director of the Hawaii Office of Veterans' Services, members of the Advisory Board on Veterans' Services, and Adjutant General for the Hawaii Department of Defense.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title:

Hawaii National Guard; Veterans; Retirees