Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Economic Development and Technology and Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations, to which was referred S.B. No. 552 entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds to establish a Korean War museum.

Your Committees received testimony in favor of this measure from the Office of Veterans Services, Chosin Few, Aloha Forever, Inc., the Celtic Catholic Church, and six individuals. Your Committee received comments from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.

Your Committees find that the Korean War was a pivotal victory in America's long march for freedom. Over six million Americans wore the uniform, over 54,000 died, and millions returned home with deep physical and emotional wounds. They were a generation of Americans who lived and died the words, "duty, honor, country." Thousands of mainland Korean War veterans would come to Hawaii to visit their national museum. It would be a hub for unit reunions and a sacred place where Korean War veterans can bring their children and grandchildren.

Your Committees adopted the recommendation of the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to reduce the appropriation to $1 pending coordination between the Department and other testifiers to together develop a business plan that will provide the proper amount.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Economic Development and Technology and Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 552, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 552, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.