STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3193

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.C.R. No. 151

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 151 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO AWARD A CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL COLLECTIVELY TO FILIPINO VETERANS OF WORLD WAR II,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the United States Congress to award a Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to the Filipino veterans of World War II in recognition of their dedicated service.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Defense.

     Your Committee finds that the Philippine Commonwealth Army fought valiantly alongside the United States and Allied Forces during World War II and played major roles in pivotal campaign battles throughout the Pacific theater.  The distinguished service of these veterans helped to ensure a decisive Allied victory.  The Filipino veterans of World War II deserve recognition through the prestigious award of the Congressional Gold Medal on behalf of a grateful nation.

     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.C.R. No. 151 and recommends its adoption.

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

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CLARENCE K. NISHIHARA, Chair