Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Education and Military Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 115, H.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriates funds for casket liners and to address the soil problems at the Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery.

Testimony in support of the measure was submitted by the Office of Veterans' Services and the Advisory Board on Veterans' Services.

Your Committee finds that the State Veterans Cemetery is in disrepair, requiring immediate maintenance to stop the escalating deterioration of the columbarium area, along with the sinking graves problem. As our country made a commitment to honor veterans, it is a priority to continue to maintain the cemetery as a place of honor for veterans and their families.

Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure by inserting an appropriation amount for fiscal year 2005-2006 and specifying that a portion of the appropriated amount for that fiscal year is to be used for casket liners.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education and Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 115, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 115, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.