STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1467

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.C.R. No. 24

       S.D. 1

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 24 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE TO ISSUE POSTAL STAMPS HONORING THE WORLD WAR II JAPANESE-AMERICAN NISEI SOLDIERS, OTHER DISTINGUISHED MILITARY UNITS IN UNITED STATES HISTORY, AND AMERICANS WHO FOUGHT AGAINST DISCRIMINATION BASED ON RACE OR NATIONAL ORIGIN,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to urge the United States Postal Service to issue commemorative postal stamps honoring the following individuals or organizations:

     (1)  World War II Japanese-American Nisei soldiers;

     (2)  Other distinguished military units that have served during the history of the United States military; and

     (3)  Those who were instrumental in enhancing race relations in the United States and who worked toward ending discrimination based on race or national origin.

     Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by three private organizations and one individual.  Written testimony presented to the Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

     Your Committee finds that from time-to-time the United States Postal Service has issued commemorative stamps that honor select individuals or groups that have made a significant contribution to our country or have made a significant impact on the people of the United States.  Your Committee also finds that paying tribute to the Nisei soldiers that served in World War II and other distinguished military units, as well as to those individuals and organizations who were instrumental in enhancing race relations and worked toward ending discrimination based on race or national origin in the United States, through the issuance of postal stamps that commemorate their efforts would be a fitting legacy for those individuals and groups.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purpose of clarity.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 24, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as H.C.R. No. 24, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs,

____________________________

WILL ESPERO, Chair