Hawaii-2020-HB2478-Introduced

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:

(1) The Persian Gulf War, from August 2, 1990, to February 28, 1991, which culminated in the liberation of Kuwait from Iraq;

(2) The air-and-land conflict known as Operation Desert Storm, which began on January 17, 1991, and lasted through February 28, 1991;

(3) Operation Iraqi Freedom, which was a military campaign that was led by United States troops and conducted from March 19, 2003, through August 31, 2010, and later re-named "Operation New Dawn";

(4) Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Freedom's Sentinel, more commonly known as the "War in Afghanistan", which is an ongoing effort; and

(5) Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF–OIR), which is an ongoing military operation led by the United States that aims to "degrade and destroy" the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

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 the United States armed forces members, many of whom paid the ultimate sacrifice, can be found throughout the State. Two of the most prominent 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 New Dawn, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Freedom's Sentinel, Operation Inherent Resolve, 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, Act 139, Session Laws of Hawaii 2013 (Act 139), required the office of veterans' services, with the assistance of the department of accounting and general services, department of defense, and 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, 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. Finally, the task force recognized that the name "Gulf War Memorial" may be too restrictive, as the intent of this project is to honor not only those who have served in the Persian Gulf conflicts but also those who have served in the various theaters of the Global War on Terrorism.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to appropriate moneys to plan and design a memorial honoring the veterans of the recent conflicts in the Persian Gulf, Iraq, Afghanistan, and the various theaters of the Global War on Terrorism, to be located at the Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery in Kaneohe and with replicas to be located in each of the state veterans' cemeteries on the neighbor islands.

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 2020-2021 for the planning and design of a memorial honoring the sacrifices of the service members of the recent conflicts in the Persian Gulf, Iraq, Afghanistan, and the various theaters of the Global War on Terrorism, to be located on the grounds of the Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery in Kaneohe on the island of Oahu and with replicas of the memorial to be located at 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, 2020.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2478
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020
STATE OF HAWAII