STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1515

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.C.R. No. 303

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Transportation, International and Intergovernmental Affairs, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 303 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE PEACE CORPS EXPANSION ACT OF 2009,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to support the Peace Corps Expansion Act of 2009.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from ten individuals.  Written testimony presented to the Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

     Your Committee notes that since President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps, it has served in over 139 countries with more than 195,000 volunteers.  Since that time, 1,274 volunteers from Hawaii have served in the Peace Corps.  It is important to note that the majority of returned Peace Corps volunteers continue to provide services and play important roles as leaders in communities across the nation.  Because of these volunteers' great dedication and hard work, over twenty countries have recently requested a Peace Corps program.  Those countries with existing programs have expressed a welcome invitation to additional volunteers.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation, International and Intergovernmental Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 303, and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Transportation, International and Intergovernmental Affairs,

____________________________

J. KALANI ENGLISH, Chair