RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Hawaii remains the foremost U.S. military base of operations for the Asia-Pacific region; and

WHEREAS, U.S. military presence in this region is essential to protecting America's shores, deterring enemy aggression, and enabling peace to prevail over the region; and

WHEREAS, in addition to protecting the security of our nation, Hawaii's military is the State's fourth largest employer, and, in conjunction with other federal expenditures, accounts for Hawaii's second largest source of revenues, topping $9,000,000,000 in 2000; and

WHEREAS, U.S. Department of Defense expenditures alone account for about twenty per cent of the State's tax revenues; and

WHEREAS, it is estimated that nearly twenty-five per cent of Hawaii's population is composed of active duty, national guard, reserve, and retired and other veterans, and their family members; and

WHEREAS, the majority of these people are residents of Hawaii or are employed in jobs paying Hawaii state income taxes; and

WHEREAS, military personnel deserve our utmost respect and support for undertaking the daunting task of protecting our nation; and

WHEREAS, the Military Affairs Council of the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii has helped to forge a strong working relationship between the Department of the Navy and the political, business, and civic leaders of Hawaii; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-Second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2003, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Legislature supports the Military Affairs Council of the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii in its effort to improve the quality of life for military personnel stationed in the islands including but not limited to enabling service members to ship two, rather than one, privately owned vehicles at government expense; constructing garages for military family housing to accommodate two vehicles; replacing boats used to transport visitors to the Arizona Memorial; accommodating broader access to Ford Island; and constructing an aviation museum on Ford Island; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor; Commander in Chief of the U.S. Pacific Command; Undersecretary of the Navy; State Adjutant General and Director of Civil Defense; members of Hawaii’s Congressional Delegation; and the Military Affairs Council of the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii.

Report Title:

Military Affairs Council; Support