STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3659

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    H.C.R. No. 23

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 23 entitled:

 

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING CONGRESS TO AMEND FEDERAL LAW TO ALLOW FUNDS FOR THE BURIAL OF QUALIFIED FILIPINO-AMERICAN VETERANS IN NATIONAL AND STATE VETERANS CEMETERIES TO COVER THE COSTS OF TRANSPORTING THE REMAINS OF FILIPINO-AMERICAN VETERANS OF WORLD WAR II TO THE PHILIPPINES AND FOR FUNERAL AND BURIAL SERVICES IN THE PHILIPPINES,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to urge the United States Congress to amend federal law to allow funds for the burial of qualified Filipino-American veterans in national and state veterans cemeteries to cover the cost of transporting the remains of Filipino-American veterans of World War II to the Philippines and for funeral and burial services in the Philippines.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Veterans' Services and three individuals.

 

     Your Committee finds that almost 100,000 soldiers of the Philippine Commonwealth Army fought alongside United States and Allied forces in World War II.  The United States promised these Filipino soldiers pay and benefits for their military service under the United States Armed Forces.  Your Committee further finds that, among other benefits, these veterans have earned the right to be buried in a national or state veterans cemetery.

 

     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 concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 23, and recommends that it 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