STAND. COM. REP. NO 3148

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.R. No. 39

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs, to which was referred S.R. No. 39 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION DESIGNATING JULY 20, 2014, AS "TRANQUILITY BASE DAY" IN HAWAII TO HONOR THE FORTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE APOLLO 11 LUNAR LANDING AT TRANQUILITY BASE AND URGING THE UNITED NATIONS EDUCATIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATION TO INCLUDE TRANQUILITY BASE AND ASSOCIATED ARTIFACTS ON THE WORLD HERITAGE LIST,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

     (1)  Recognize the forty-fifth anniversary of the Apollo 11 lunar landing at Tranquility Base by designating July 20, 2014, as "Tranquility Base Day" in Hawaii; and

     (2)  Urge the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to include Tranquility Base and associated artifacts on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism and four individuals.

     Your Committee finds that the Apollo 11 lunar landing is one of the most significant technological advancements in history, representing the first time a human stepped foot on another celestial surface.  The first human landing at Tranquility Base represented the combined efforts and contributions of thousands of researchers, scientists, and engineers from many nations and states, including Hawaii.  Hawaii's important role in the Apollo program is represented by numerous facilities and programs statewide, support of the recovery of the astronauts and the command module spacecraft returning from the moon, and Hawaii's unique geological landscape that was essential for the training of the Apollo 11 astronauts.  The legacy of the Apollo 11 mission and Hawaii's contributions is worthy of recognition and will inspire the next generation of space scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs who will pioneer the frontiers of space.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 39 and recommends its adoption.

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

____________________________

WILL ESPERO, Chair