STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1160

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    H.B. No. 942

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committees on International Affairs and the Arts and Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 942, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

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

 

beg leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to authorize the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts to commission an artist to design and build a monument to honor and commemorate Filipino veterans of World War II.

 

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Defense State Office of Veterans Services, Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, Hawaii Friends of Civil Rights, and three individuals.  Your Committees received comments on this measure from the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.

 

     Your Committees find that the time has come for long overdue recognition of the heroic contributions of more than two hundred sixty thousand Filipino veterans who fought under the American flag during World War II.  With the building of this monument, Hawaii joins national efforts to pay a debt of gratitude and restorative justice to the dwindling generation of Filipino veterans who served under U.S. command but did not receive all of the veteran status and benefits they rightfully deserved.  Your Committees further find that a monument to honor and commemorate Filipino veterans would demonstrate Hawaii's immense gratitude, provide a visual reminder of Filipino veterans' unique place in history, and educate the public on the role that Filipino veterans played in the outcome of World War II.

 

     Your Committees note that the recommended appropriation for this measure is $200,000.  Your Committees further request if your Committee on Ways and Means passes this measure, that it include language requiring that the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts establish an advisory committee to implement this measure.

 

     Your Committees have amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Changing the source of funds from the works of art special fund to general revenues of the State;

 

     (2)  Making the appropriation apply only to fiscal year 2018-2019;

 

     (3)  Inserting an effective date of May 22, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

 

     (4)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on International Affairs and the Arts and Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 942, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 942, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

 


Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on International Affairs and the Arts and Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs,

 

________________________________

CLARENCE K. NISHIHARA, Chair

 

________________________________

BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Chair