Hawaii-2011-SCR27-Introduced

WHEREAS, in times of threats to our nation's security, the United States armed forces stand ready to defend and protect our nation; and

WHEREAS, the United States armed forces also protect the lives and freedoms of individuals from other nations who cannot fight for themselves; and

WHEREAS, known for its highly skilled military personnel, unwavering patriotism, and undiminishing compassion for others, the United States armed forces bravely answered the call to fight for the citizens of Iraq and Afghanistan; and

WHEREAS, as a central location of armed forces training and preparation, the State of Hawaii sent many of its own National Guard and Military Reserves service members and United States Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, and Navy service members to protect Iraqi and Afghan citizens; and

WHEREAS, in the course of active and unpredictable military duty, members of the military often become engaged in dangerous situations, endangering their own lives as they act to protect innocent civilians; and

WHEREAS, many airmen, airwomen, soldiers, marines, and sailors with ties to Hawaii have been called to serve in some of the most dangerous areas of Iraq and Afghanistan, coming into contact with opposing forces on a daily basis; and
WHEREAS, it was with utmost bravery that many heroes with ties to Hawaii were killed in action, sacrificing their lives to protect the lives of American and foreign citizens; and

WHEREAS, the Hawaii Medal of Honor may be awarded to individuals who have been killed in action, while:

· Engaged in:

- An action against an enemy of the United States; or

- Military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force;

· Serving:

- With friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party; or

- In a combat zone as designated by presidential order;

and

WHEREAS, to be a recipient of the Hawaii Medal of Honor, at the time the armed forces member was killed in action, the recipient must also have been a member of:

· The Hawaii National Guard, the United States Military Reserves, or the Regular United States Armed Forces, who was:

- A legal resident of the State of Hawaii; or

- An attendee of a school in Hawaii at some time during the life of the member;

· The Regular United States Armed Forces, who was:

- A legal resident of the State of Hawaii; or

- Stationed in Hawaii by a proper order of the United States Department of Defense;

and

WHEREAS, the people of the State of Hawaii are enormously grateful for the service provided by these brave men and women, are greatly saddened by the loss of each armed forces member, and stand by the surviving family members in support and with aloha; and

WHEREAS, the service members will be forever remembered for their ultimate act of bravery as heroes who sacrificed their lives so others could be free; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-sixth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2011, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Legislature, pursuant to section 5-22, Hawaii Revised Statutes, awards, on behalf of the people of Hawaii, the Hawaii Medal of Honor to:

· United States Army Staff Sergeant Charles R. Browning;

· United States Army Private First Class Mykel F. Miller;

· United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Timothy J. Poole;

· United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Noah M. Pier;

· United States Army Private First Class JR Salvacion;

· United States Army Private First Class Raymond N. Pacleb;

· United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Curtis M. Swenson;

· United States Marine Corps Private First Class Jake W. Suter;

· United States Marine Corps Corporal Joe L. Wrightsman;

· United States Army First Lieutenant Michael L. Runyan;

· United States Army Sergeant Jamal M. Rhett;

· United States Army Sergeant Phillip C. Jenkins;

· United States Army Private James F. McClamrock;

· United States Marine Corps First Lieutenant Scott J. Fleming;

· United States Army Staff Sergeant Aracely Gonzales O'Malley;

· United States Army Sergeant David J. Luff Jr.;

· United States Marine Corps Sergeant Matthew T. Abbate; and

· United States Army Corporal Sean M. Collins,

honors and remembers the sacrifices of these armed forces heroes with ties to Hawaii who fought and died bravely for the United States of America, and sends its heartfelt appreciation and sympathy to surviving family members; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the names of these recipients be entered on the Hawaii Medal of Honor Roll; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the two houses of the Legislature assemble in Joint Session in the Chambers of the Senate at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 29, 2011, to present the Hawaii Medal of Honor to the family or representative of each recipient.

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Hawaii Medal of Honor Recipients

THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	27
TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2011
STATE OF HAWAII