THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2597

TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2014

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR A WAR MEMORIAL.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  The freedom and security that United States citizens enjoy today are direct results of the sacrifices and continued vigilance of the United States armed forces over the course of our nation's history.  The sacrifices of the members of the United States armed forces have preserved the liberties that have made this nation unique in the world community.

     While members of the United States armed forces have engaged in numerous conflicts worldwide for over two centuries, more recent combat missions have included the Persian Gulf War, from August 2, 1990, to February 28, 1991, which culminated in the liberation of Kuwait from Iraq; the air-and-land conflict known as Operation Desert Storm, which began on January 17, 1991, and lasted through April 11, 1991; Operation Iraqi Freedom, which was a military campaign that was led by United States troops and conducted from March 20, 2003, through August 31, 2010, and later re-named "Operation New Dawn"; and Operation Enduring Freedom, more commonly known as the "War in Afghanistan", which is an ongoing effort.  Members of the United States armed forces have also served a pivotal role in the Global War on Terrorism, Homeland Defense, and Operation Noble Eagle, and continue to protect our borders by land, sea, and air.

     Recognition of the sacrifices of members of the United States armed services who served in the various conflicts in which the United States was involved, many of whom paid the ultimate sacrifice, can be found throughout the State.  Two of the most prominent of these memorials are the USS Arizona Memorial and the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl.  However, a number of additional memorials exist commemorating the sacrifices of the men and women in uniform from Hawaii who have served this country, including the Korean and Vietnam War Memorials on the grounds of the state capitol, which were dedicated in 1994.  Thus, it is both fitting and necessary for the State to give tangible and visible recognition for the sacrifices and contributions of veterans from Hawaii who served in the Persian Gulf War, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation New Dawn, the Global War on Terrorism, Homeland Defense, and Operation Noble Eagle and who have protected our borders by land, sea, and air.

     Recognizing the need for such a memorial, the legislature passed Senate Bill No. 551, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, C.D. 1, enacted as Act 139, Session Laws of Hawaii 2013, which required the office of veterans' services, with the assistance of the department of accounting and general services, the department of defense, and the state historic preservation division, to develop a plan to establish a memorial honoring the veterans of the Persian Gulf War, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation New Dawn, the Global War on Terrorism, Homeland Defense, and Operation Noble Eagle and those who have protected our borders by land, sea, and air.

     In response to Act 139, the office of veterans' services created the Hawaii gulf war memorial task force to develop a plan to establish a Hawaii Gulf War Memorial.  The task force held multiple monthly meetings, conducted surveys, and held a public hearing on the matter.  In its report to the legislature, the task force stated that, based upon its findings and research, the ideal spot for the memorial would be on the grounds of the Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery in Kaneohe on the island of Oahu.  The task force also recommended that replicas of the memorial be located at state veterans' cemeteries statewide.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds for the planning, design, and construction of the Hawaii Gulf War Memorial and replicas of the Hawaii Gulf War Memorial. SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $         or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2014-2015 for the planning, design, and construction of the Hawaii Gulf War Memorial on the grounds of the Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery in Kaneohe, on the island of Oahu, and for the planning, design, and construction of replicas of the Hawaii Gulf War Memorial to be located on the grounds of state veterans' cemeteries statewide.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the office of veterans' services, in consultation with the department of accounting and general services, for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.

 

 

Report Title:

Veterans' Memorial; Appropriation

 

 

Description:

Appropriates funds for the planning, design, and construction of a Hawaii Gulf War Memorial to be located at the Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery in Kaneohe, on the island of Oahu, and replicas of the memorial to be located at state veterans' cemeteries statewide.  Effective July 1, 2050. (SB2597 HD1)

 

 

 

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