STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1740

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2011

RE:   H.R. No. 175

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on International Affairs, to which was referred H.R. No. 175 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE SEVERITY OF THE CRISIS BEING EXPERIENCED BY THE PEOPLE OF JAPAN WITH THE RECENT EVENTS OF AN EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMI AND URGING THE HAWAII STATE GOVERNMENT EXPRESS THE COMPASSION OF THE HAWAIIAN PEOPLE, THE ONENESS IN OUR CULTURAL OHANA, AND FINANCIAL AND BUSINESS TIES, AND FURNISHING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, BASIC NECESSITIES, AND MENTAL HEALTH CARE TO THE JAPANESE PEOPLE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this resolution is to recognize the severity of the crisis being experienced by the people of Japan in light of the recent earthquake and tsunami by preparing a joint letter by the majority and minority leaders of the Hawaii State Legislature together with the Governor of Hawaii and sending the letter to the Prime Minister of Japan to express the:

(1)  Condolences of the people of Hawaii for the recent catastrophic events; and

(2)  Determination of the people of Hawaii to support and help the people of Japan.

     This resolution also requested:

     (1)  That the Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Human Services (DHS) coordinate with the Hawaii Red Cross, Salvation Army, local churches, and charities to send basic necessities such as clothing, blankets, non-perishable food, and medical supplies to Japan; and

     (2)  DOH and DHS to coordinate and organize a group of Hawaii mental-health professionals to travel to Japan to provide mental-health services to the Japanese people during this period of stress and bereavement.

     A concerned individual opposed this measure.

     Your Committee has amended this bill by:

(1)  Amending its title to read: "RECOGNIZING THE SEVERITY OF THE CRISIS BEING EXPERIENCED BY THE PEOPLE OF JAPAN WITH THE RECENT EVENTS OF AN EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMI AND SUPPORTING THE EFFORTS OF ORGANIZATIONS WITHIN HAWAII TO ASSIST THE PEOPLE OF JAPAN";

(2)  Requesting that the local chapters of the Red Cross and Salvation Army, local churches, and charities continue to assist where possible by sending basic necessities to Japan, without the involvement of DOH and DHS;  

(3)  Removing the provisions specifying that DOH and DHS coordinate and organize a group of Hawaii mental-health professionals to travel to Japan to provide mental-health services to the Japanese people during this period of stress and bereavement;

(4)  Removing the Director of Health and Director of Human Services from the list of persons and entities to whom a certified copy of this measure will be transmitted;

(5)  Replacing the phrase "Japanese people" with the phrase "people of Japan" throughout this measure; and

(6)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments 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. 175, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as H.R. No. 175, H.D. 1.

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

____________________________

KAREN L. AWANA, Chair