STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1687

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.R. No. 172

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs, to which was referred S.R. No. 172 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION URGING HAWAI‘I'S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION AND THE GOVERNOR TO COLLABORATE WITH THE LEGISLATURE TO ENSURE EXPEDITED BURIALS FOR VETERANS, DECEASED ACTIVE DUTY MEMBERS OF THE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES, AND THEIR SPOUSES AT VETERANS CEMETERIES THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF HAWAI‘I,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to urge Hawai‘i's congressional delegation and the Governor to collaborate with the Legislature to ensure expedited burials for veterans, deceased active duty members of the United States Armed Forces, and their spouses at veterans' cemeteries throughout Hawai‘i.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the State Office of Veterans Services.

Your Committee finds that a spouse of a predeceased United States veteran buried at the Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery passed away on February 19, 2018, but could not be buried for more than five weeks due to administrative delays at the cemetery. Your Committee further finds that a proper and timely burial is a long‑standing cultural practice and sacred rite of Native Hawaiians. Your Committee therefore finds that in keeping with the respect and honor of burials practiced by Native Hawaiians, this measure urges Hawai‘i's congressional delegation and the Governor to collaborate with the Legislature to ensure expedited burials for veterans, deceased active duty members of the United States Armed Forces, and their spouses at veterans' cemeteries throughout Hawai‘i.

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. 172 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