Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Public Safety & Military Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 2998 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to celebrate the return of members of the Hawaii National Guard in the counties of Hawaii, Maui, and Kauai by making an appropriation of $35,000 to the state Department of Defense (DOD) to assist the United States Organization (USO) with its planned welcome home celebrations.

The DOD, USO Hawaii, and The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii testified in support of this bill.

Your Committee believes that this bill will provide the necessary funds for "welcome home" celebrations for our soldiers and families who reside on the neighbor islands.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety & Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2998 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Finance.