Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations, to which was referred S.B. No. 1035 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to provide funds for phases I and II of a combined multi-use veterans center on the island of Hawaii.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Defense, ILWU Local 142, and seventy-four proud veterans.

Your Committee finds that military veterans who risked their lives to preserve freedom and democracy deserve our utmost honor and respect, and that we should never forget the lives lost by our forebearers to preserve our freedom.

The funding provided by this measure will be used to construct phases I and II of the proposed veterans memorial complex, consisting of facilities for counseling, readjustment, a community-based outpatient clinic, a meeting hall, an office for the Hawaii County Office of Veterans Services, parking, recreational areas, and a picnic area. Phase III, to be constructed at a later date, will consist of housing for veterans.

Your Committee fully supports this measure, to memorialize the efforts of our military veterans and to give something back to those who risked so much so that we can continue to 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. 1035 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.