STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2752

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 2383

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 1

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2010

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 2383, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FLAGS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to recognize the National League of Families' Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Flag that was recognized by the United States Congress through Pub. L. 101‑355 on August 10, 1990, and to specify when and the manner in which the Flag is to be flown.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from one state department, three private entities, and five individuals.  Written testimony presented to the Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

     Your Committee finds that it is important to recognize and honor the extraordinary heroism of the brave men and women who risked or sacrificed their lives or their freedom in the past, as well those who place their lives in harm's way on a daily basis in Afghanistan and Iraq.  Since World War I, over 142,000 Americans, including 85 women, have been captured and interned as prisoners of war.  Not included in this figure are nearly 93,000 Americans who are classified as missing in action.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by clarifying that the Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Flag shall be flown on the grounds of the State Capitol and the State Department of Defense headquarters on specified days.

     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 is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2383, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2383, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Government Operations.

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

____________________________

WILL ESPERO, Chair