STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1890

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.C.R. No. 190

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Intergovernmental and Military Affairs, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 190 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO ENACT H.R. 1287 AND S. 671 RELATING TO FILIPINO FAMILY REUNIFICATION, OR SIMILAR LEGISLATION, TO PROVIDE PRIORITY ISSUANCE OF VISAS TO FILIPINO VETERANS' CHILDREN WITH APPROVED IMMIGRATION PETITIONS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to request that the United States Congress and the United States President enact legislation relating to Filipino family reunification granting priority issuance of visas to Filipino veterans' children with approved immigration petitions.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from WW II Fil-Am Veterans; United Filipino Council of Hawaii; Asian American Network for Cancer Awareness, Research and Training; Philippine Nurses Association; Nursing Advocates & Mentors, Inc.; Oahu Filipino Community Council; Congress of Visayan Organizations; Filipino Coalition for Solidarity; National Federation of Filipino American Associations; and one individual.

     It is the intent of your Committee to recognize the sacrifice and service of Filipino veterans for their contributions to the United States during World War II, by urging the United States Congress and the President of the United States, to grant priority issuance of visas to Filipino veterans' children with approved immigration petitions.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Intergovernmental and Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 190, and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Intergovernmental and Military Affairs,

____________________________

LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair