CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REP. NO. 11

Honolulu, Hawaii

                 , 2007

RE:    S.B. No. 618

       H.D. 1

       C.D. 1

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Madam and Sir:

     Your Committee on Conference on the disagreeing vote of the Senate to the amendments proposed by the House of Representatives in S.B. No. 618, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

having met, and after full and free discussion, has agreed to recommend and does recommend to the respective Houses the final passage of this bill in an amended form.

     The purpose of this measure is to require the Department of Education to establish a program for awarding honorary high school diplomas to individuals who were unable to complete high school due to military service during World War II, the Korean Conflict, or the Vietnam War and individuals interned during the Japanese and Japanese-American Internment during World War II.

     Your Committee on Conference finds that during times of need, many citizens disrupt their lives and education to serve and protect their country through military service.  In the past, many of Hawaii's citizens were unable to complete their compulsory education due to military service during World War II, the Korean Conflict, or the Vietnam War, or due to the Japanese and Japanese-American Internment during World War II.  This measure recognizes the tremendous hardships suffered and sacrifices made by our loyal and courageous veterans and interned citizens through the establishment of a program for bestowing high school diplomas on these worthy individuals.

     Upon further consideration, your Committee on Conference has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Changing references to an "honorary diploma" to a "veterans high school diploma"; and

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive changes for purposes of clarity and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the managers of your Committee on Conference that is attached to this report, your Committee on Conference is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 618, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Final Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 618, H.D. 1, C.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the managers:

ON THE PART OF THE HOUSE

ON THE PART OF THE SENATE

____________________________ ROY TAKUMI, Co-Chair	____________________________ LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair
____________________________ CINDY EVANS, Co-Chair	____________________________ NORMAN SAKAMOTO, Co-Chair