Bill Text: HI SB2843 | 2010 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Flag
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-0)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2010-03-17 - (H) Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on JUD with none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Awana, Chang, Manahan, Sagum, Souki excused (5). [SB2843 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2010-SB2843-Amended.html
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
2843 |
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TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2010 |
S.D. 2 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
H.D. 1 |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO FLAGS.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that more than five hundred thousand Americans have been captured and interned as prisoners of war since the American Revolution. The largest number of prisoners held captive occurred during the Civil War when an estimated two hundred twenty thousand confederate soldiers were captured by the North and nearly one hundred twenty-seven thousand union soldiers were interned by the South.
Since World War I, over one hundred forty-two thousand Americans, including eighty-five women, have been captured and interned as prisoners of war. Not included in this figure are nearly ninety-three thousand Americans who are classified as missing in action.
The legislature also finds that, as our country seeks out Al Qaeda terrorists in the Middle East, it is important to recognize and honor the extraordinary heroism of the brave men and women who risked or sacrificed their lives or their freedom in the past, as well as those who place their lives in harm's way on a daily basis in the present, such as in Afghanistan and Iraq.
The legislature further acknowledges that Hawaii is home to the United States (U.S.) Pacific Command, the front line of defense for the Asia-Pacific region. Few states, and perhaps no other state can claim that it is supported by four component commands: U.S. Pacific Fleet, U.S. Pacific Air Forces, U.S. Army Pacific, and U.S. Marine Forces Pacific. These commands are headquartered in Hawaii and have forces stationed and deployed throughout the region that spans the waters off the west coast of the U.S. to the western border of India, and from Antarctica to the North Pole.
The purpose of this Act is to require the National League of Families' POW/MIA flag to be flown with the U.S. and Hawaiian flags at the Hawaii capitol and at state department of defense buildings to honor American prisoners of war and military personnel who are missing in action.
SECTION 2. Chapter 5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§5‑ POW/MIA (Prisoner of war/missing in action) flag; recognition; use. (a) The State acknowledges the National League of Families' POW/MIA (prisoner of war/missing in action) flag that was recognized by the United States Congress through P.L. 101-355 on August 10, 1990.
(b) At the Hawaii capitol and at state department of defense buildings, if the Hawaiian flag is flown on the same or a separate halyard as the flag of the United States of America, the POW/MIA flag shall be flown under the flag of the United States of America on the following days:
(1) Armed Forces Day, the third Saturday in May;
(2) Memorial Day, the last Monday in May;
(3) Flag Day, June 14;
(4) Independence Day, July 4;
(5) National POW/MIA Recognition Day, the third Friday in September; and
(6) Veterans Day, November 11.
(c) On any day other than those specified under subsection (b), the POW/MIA flag may be flown at the Hawaii capitol and state department of defense buildings."
SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2040.
Report Title:
Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Flag
Description:
Recognizes and requires the POW/MIA flag to be flown with the U.S. and Hawaiian flags at state Department of Defense buildings and at the Hawaii capitol. Effective July 1, 2040. (SB2843 HD1)
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
