Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations, to which was referred S.B. No. 2246 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds and appropriate money as a grant-in-aid to Hawaii Island Veterans Memorial Inc. to build a combined veterans center in Hawaii county.

Your Committee received testimony in support of the measure from 37 veterans.

Your Committee finds that the measure would provide a safe centralized location for Big Island veterans to access much-needed supportive services, recreational opportunities, and housing. This is a modest request to honor those who have made such tremendous sacrifices so that we, as a society, may live in freedom.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2246 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.