Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Energy and Environment and Transportation, Military Affairs, and Government Operations, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 149 entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to help preserve the American buffalo by urging Hawaii's congressional delegation to help prevent the inhumane treatment of the Yellowstone buffalo and support the passage of the Yellowstone Buffalo Preservation Act, H.R. 3446.

Your Committees received testimony in support from The Fund for Animals and an individual.

Currently, the Yellowstone buffalo is facing threats of hazing, capture, and slaughter. Since the 1980's, nearly four thousand buffalo have been massacred due to the livestock industry's baseless allegations that the brucellosis disease can be transmitted from wild buffalo to cows that graze on the public lands adjacent to the Yellowstone National Park.

Your Committees find that the Yellowstone buffalo represents a symbol of American wildlife and has great significance to Native American cultures. Your Committees believe that it is imperative that we demonstrate our commitment to protect and preserve endangered animals by urging our congressional delegation to support the Yellowstone Buffalo Preservation Act, H.R. 3446.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Energy and Environment and Transportation, Military Affairs, and Government Operations that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 149, and recommend its adoption.