HCR61

WHEREAS, in times of threats to our nation's security, the United States armed forces stand ready to defend and protect our nation; and

WHEREAS, the United States armed forces also protect the lives and freedoms of individuals from other nations who cannot fight for themselves; and

WHEREAS, known for its highly skilled military personnel, unwavering patriotism, and undiminishing compassion for others, the United States armed forces bravely answered the call to fight for the citizens of Iraq and Afghanistan; and

WHEREAS, as a central location of armed forces training and preparation, the State of Hawaii sent many of its own National Guard and Military Reserves service members and United States Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, and Navy service members to protect Iraqi and Afghan citizens; and

WHEREAS, in the course of active and unpredictable military duty, members of the military often become engaged in dangerous situations, endangering their own lives as they act to protect innocent civilians; and

WHEREAS, many airmen, airwomen, soldiers, marines, and sailors with ties to Hawaii were called to serve in some of the most dangerous areas of Iraq and Afghanistan and came into contact with opposing forces on a daily basis; and

WHEREAS, it was with utmost bravery that many heroes with ties to Hawaii were killed in action, sacrificing their lives to protect the lives of American and foreign citizens; and

WHEREAS, the Hawaii Medal of Honor may be awarded to individuals who have been killed in action, while:

· Engaged in:

- An action against an enemy of the United States; or

- Military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force;

· Serving:

- With friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party; or

- In a combat zone as designated by presidential order;

and

WHEREAS, to be a recipient of the Hawaii Medal of Honor, at the time the armed forces member was killed in action, the recipient must also have been a member of:

· The Hawaii National Guard, the United States Military Reserves, or the Regular United States Armed Forces, who was:

- A legal resident of the State of Hawaii; or

- An attendee of a school in Hawaii at some time during the life of the member;

· The Regular United States Armed Forces, who was:

- A legal resident of the State of Hawaii; or

- Stationed in Hawaii by a proper order of the United States Department of Defense;

and

WHEREAS, the people of the State of Hawaii are enormously grateful for the service provided by these brave men and women and are greatly saddened by the loss of each armed forces member and stand by the surviving family members in support and with aloha; and

WHEREAS, the service members will be forever remembered for their ultimate act of bravery as heroes who sacrificed their lives so others could be free; 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 Legislature, pursuant to Section 5-22, Hawaii Revised Statutes, awards, on behalf of the people of Hawaii, the Hawaii Medal of Honor to:

· United States Air Force Airman First Class Carl Jerome Ware, Jr.;

· United States Navy Lieutenant Commander Morgan C. Tulang;

· United States Army Sergeant Forrest D. Cauthorn;

· United States Army Private First Class Jay S. Cajimat;

· United States Marine Corps Major Douglas A. Zembiec;

· United States Army Corporal Casey P. Zylman;

· United States Army First Lieutenant Keith N. Heidtman;

· United States Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Theodore U. Church;

· United States Army Sergeant Richard V. Correa;

· United States Air Force Senior Airman William N. Newman;

· United States Army Specialist Farid Elazzouzi;

· United States Army Sergeant Derek T. Roberts;

· United States Army Specialist Val J. Borm;

· United States Army First Lieutenant Frank B. Walkup IV;

· United States Army Sergeant Michael J. Montpetit;

· United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Robert A. Lynch;

· United States Army Specialist Tyler R. Seideman;

· United States Army Specialist Jessy G. Pollard;

· United States Army Specialist Michael A. Hook;

· United States Army Corporal Nathan C. Hubbard;

· United States Army Corporal Joshua S. Harmon;

· United States Army Corporal Phillip J. Brodnick;

· United States Army Corporal Jeremy P. Bouffard;

· United States Army Sergeant Garrett I. McLead;

· United States Army Staff Sergeant Jason L. Paton;

· United States Army Captain Derek A. Dobogai;

· United States Army Sergeant Alexander U. Gagalac;

· United States Navy Hospital Corpsman Third Class Mark R. Cannon;

· United States Army Private First Class Casey P. Mason;

· United States Navy Mass Communications Specialist First Class Victor W. Jeffries; and

· United States Army Specialist Jon M. Schoolcraft III,

and honors and remembers the sacrifice of these armed forces heroes with ties to Hawaii who fought and died bravely for the United States of America, and sends its heartfelt appreciation and sympathy to surviving family members; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the names of these recipients be entered on the Hawaii Medal of Honor Roll; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the two houses of the Legislature assemble in Joint Session in the Chambers of the House of Representatives at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 25, 2008, for the purpose of presenting the Hawaii Medal of Honor to the family or representative of the recipients.

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

awarding the hawaii medal of honor to UNITED STATES MILITARY SERVICE MEMBERS WITH HAWAII CONNECTIONS KILLED IN ACTION WHILE SERVING IN DANGEROUS, VOLATILE, AND UNSTABLE AREAS OF THE WORLD, INCLUDING IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	61
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008
STATE OF HAWAII