HCR54

WHEREAS, the State of Hawaii remains of high strategic significance in the Asia-Pacific region; and

WHEREAS, United States military presence in this region is essential to protecting America's shores, deterring enemy aggression, and maintaining peace throughout the region; and

WHEREAS, military personnel deserve our utmost respect and support for undertaking the daunting task of protecting our nation and sacrificing their lives for our freedom; and

WHEREAS, due to the military's presence in the State of Hawaii, approximately $600,000,000 of federal funds are awarded annually for military programs and construction, and other defense-related initiatives; and

WHEREAS, in addition to protecting the security of our Nation, Hawaii's military is one of the State's largest employers, and, in conjunction with other federal activities is one of the cornerstones of our economy; and

WHEREAS, it is estimated that nearly twenty-five per cent of Hawaii's population is composed of active duty, national guard, reserve, and retired military, armed services veterans, and their family members; and

WHEREAS, Hawaii's military has proven itself to be a good neighbor by providing assistance to save lives and property during emergencies and disasters, as well as engaging in community service and educational partnerships with charitable organizations and schools through programs such as Toys for Tots and Computers for Learning; and

WHEREAS, each year, events such as Military Appreciation Month, and initiatives such as the Military Kamaaina Card and Special Discount Coupon books, are sponsored to pay tribute to Hawaii's military personnel; and

WHEREAS, while these initiatives are often incentive-based, military personnel and their families also need community outreach and support to increase morale and family cohesion, especially during deployment; and

WHEREAS, the Department of Defense encourages individuals, businesses, and organizations to support its military personnel and their families by building their morale during and after deployment through community activities both big and small; from sending greeting cards to deployed personnel on holidays to organizing support groups for at-risk military children; and

WHEREAS, in light of the security, economic, and community benefits derived from the presence of the military, its personnel, and their families in the State; the people, businesses, and community organizations of Hawaii should support their employees, colleagues, relatives and friends who are part of the military; 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 people, businesses, and community organizations of Hawaii are urged to start or participate in grass-roots programs supporting military personnel and their families; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the people, businesses, and community organizations of Hawaii are urged to visit www.americasupportsyou.mil for ideas on activities that can be locally implemented to support military personnel, spouses, and children throughout deployment, as well as help veterans and families readjust when arriving home; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor; Mayors of the City and County of Honolulu, and the Counties of Maui, Kauai, and Hawaii; the Commander in Chief of the United States Pacific Command, State Adjutant General and Director of Civil Defense, and senior military commanders in Hawaii; Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, and community and nonprofit organizations in Hawaii.

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

BY REQUEST

Report Title:

URGING THE PEOPLE, BUSINESSES, AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS OF HAWAII TO PARTICIPATE IN GRASS-ROOTS PROGRAMS SUPPORTING MILITARY PERSONNEL AND THEIR FAMILIES

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	54
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008
STATE OF HAWAII