SB1088

Report Title:

Medal of Honor; Veterans, Recognizing

Description:

Appropriates funds and establishes a committee to design and erect a monument recognizing Hawaii veterans and recipients who have been awarded the Medal of Honor.

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	1088
TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2005
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

making an appropriation to recognize hawaii veterans and medal of honor recipients.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. While all soldiers demonstrate courage during combat, there are great acts of military valor that do not go unnoticed. The Medal of Honor is the nation's highest military award that can be bestowed upon any soldier. The emblem, representing the highest ideals and virtues, was first established by joint resolution of Congress in July 1862 and later amended by subsequent acts. It is presented by the President in the name of the United States Congress to a person who, while a member of the Armed Services, has been distinguished by their gallantry and intrepidity, at the risk of their own life while engaged in action against an enemy of the United States; while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or while serving with friendly forces engaged in armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.

The purpose of this Act is to:

(1) Recognize and honor those Hawaii residents who have served their country so bravely as to be awarded the Medal of Honor, as well as all other veterans;

(2) Establish a committee to design and erect a monument at the state capitol to recognize those Hawaii residents who have been awarded the Medal of Honor; and

(3) Appropriate funds to design and erect the monument.

SECTION 2. (a) The governor shall convene a committee composed of five members to be appointed as follows:

(1) One member to be appointed from a list of nominees submitted by the senate president;

(2) One member to be appointed from a list of nominees submitted by the speaker of the house of representatives;

(3) One member from the department of veteran's affairs to be appointed by the governor;

(4) One member from the state foundation on culture and the arts to be appointed by the governor; and

(5) One member representing the general public.

(b) The members of the committee shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for expenses, including travel expenses, necessary for the performance of their duties.

(c) The committee shall advise the state foundation on culture and the arts on the Medal of Honor and Veterans memorial. Committee members shall propose the design of the monument to be erected, the placement of the monument on the state capitol grounds, and guidelines and procedures for the continued updating of Medal of Honor recipients and all other veterans on the monument.

(d) The state foundation on culture and the arts shall review and implement the memorial.

(e) The committee established by this section shall cease to exist on June 30, 2006.

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ , or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2005-2006, for the establishment and erection of a monument recognizing the Hawaii residents who have been awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor and all other Hawaii residents who are veterans.

SECTION 4. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of accounting and general services for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2005.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________