HCR137

WHEREAS, throughout the course of history, members of the United States armed forces have stood at the vanguard of protecting our nation's borders, her citizens, and democracy, and many of them paid the ultimate sacrifice to ensure that the United States would continue on; therefore, the courage and honor of our military men and women should never be forgotten; and

WHEREAS, on July 1994, the Korean and Vietnam Memorial was unveiled on the grounds of the Hawaii State Capitol in downtown Honolulu, in remembrance of the fallen veterans who sacrificed their lives while defending our country during the Korean and Vietnam wars; and

WHEREAS, maintenance of the Korean and Vietnam Memorial was taken on by Korean War Veterans Association members and other veterans, who volunteered their time and effort to polish the marble and clean the memorial so that their fallen comrades will never be forgotten; and

WHEREAS, the Korean and Vietnam Memorial should always be presented and viewed by the public in a respectful manner, and should never be allowed to deteriorate or be defaced; and

WHEREAS, of the military veterans who have maintained the Korean and Vietnam Memorial over the years, many have passed away and many are physically unable to continue maintaining its upkeep; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2008, the Senate concurring, that the Department of Accounting and General Services is requested to take responsibility for maintaining and cleaning the Korean and Vietnam Memorial, with support from the Sheriff's Division of the Department of Public Safety; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Accounting and General Services is also requested to ensure that the memorial and the grounds surrounding it are maintained in a respectable manner, free of trash, and that the grass and plants are kept in good health; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the Department of Public Safety is also requested to assist by providing appropriate security to ensure that the Korean and Vietnam Memorial is not defaced and to ensure inappropriate behavior with respect to the memorial is not allowed; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President of the Senate, the Comptroller, the Director of Public Safety, and the Director of the Office of Veterans' Services, who in turn is requested to transmit copies to veterans associations in the State.

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Maintenance of the Korean and Vietnam Memorial

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	137
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008
STATE OF HAWAII