STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1061-08

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2008

RE:   H.R. No. 39

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on International Affairs, to which was referred H.R. No. 39 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION CONDEMNING THE GENOCIDE AND VIOLENCE IN NORTHERN UGANDA AND URGING CONGRESS WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE PRESIDENT TO ENGAGE THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT THE CHILDREN OF UGANDA,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this resolution is to condemn the genocide and violence in Northern Uganda and urge Congress, with the support of the President, to engage the international community to take action to protect the children of Uganda.

     Several concerned individuals supported this resolution.

     Your Committee notes that the focus of this resolution should be the children.  Although the government of Uganda has taken steps to improve human rights, more needs to be done to stop the violence that continues to occur, particularly against children.

     Accordingly, your Committee has amended this resolution by, among other things:

     (1)  Changing its title to read: "CONDEMNING THE HUMAN RIGHTS ATROCITIES AND VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN IN NORTHERN UGANDA AND URGING CONGRESS TO LEAD THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IN EFFORTS TO PROTECT THE CHILDREN OF UGANDA";

     (2)  Placing more emphasis on the actions of the Lord's Resistance Army; and

     (3)  Focusing on the inhumane actions against children and urging the Government of Uganda to abolish child soldiering in its armed forces.

Other technical, nonsubstantive amendments were made for clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on International Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 39, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Judiciary in the form attached hereto as H.R. No. 39, H.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on International Affairs,

____________________________

KAREN LEINANI AWANA, Acting Chair