Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs, to which was referred H.R. No. 57 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this resolution is to promote efforts to improve Hawaii's civil defense by urging the Governor and the mayor of each county to continue their support for the development of an officially recognized Urban Search and Rescue Task Force (Task Force) in Hawaii.

The Department of Defense and the Civil Defense Agency of the County of Hawaii supported this measure.

Your Committee notes that this measure will help sustain the substantial progress made in developing a Task Force in the State. A Task Force will be able to conduct round-the-clock search-and-rescue operations following earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, and other catastrophes, and will provide critical support for state and local emergency response units.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 57 and recommends its adoption.