Bill Text: HI HCR29 | 2014 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Hawaii Medal of Honor

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2014-02-03 - Resolution adopted in final form. [HCR29 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2014-HCR29-Introduced.html

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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	29
TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2014
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

awarding the hawaii medal of honor to united states military service members with hawaii connections killed in action while serving in dangerous, volatile, and unstable areas of the world, including iraq and afghanistan.

 

 

 

     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 their 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 for 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, in a combat zone as designated by presidential order, or in direct support of military operations in a combat zone if that service is designated as such by the United States Department of Defense; or

 

·        Performing duty subject to hostile fire or imminent danger if that duty qualifies the individual for special military pay as determined by the United States Department of Defense; and

 

     WHEREAS, recipients of the Hawaii Medal of Honor include:

 

·        Members of the Hawaii National Guard or United States Military Reserves who were legal residents of Hawaii and activated into service at the time they were killed in action;

 

·        Members of the Regular United States Armed Forces who were legal residents of Hawaii at the time they were killed in action or stationed in Hawaii by a proper order of the United States Department of Defense at the time they were killed in action; or

 

·        Members of the Hawaii National Guard or United States Military Reserves who were activated into service, or members of the Regular United States Armed Forces, who attended a school in Hawaii at some period during their lives and were killed in action; and

     WHEREAS, the people of the State of Hawaii are enormously grateful for the service provided by the brave men and women in the military, 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 House of Representatives of the Twenty-seventh Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2014, the Senate 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 Sergeant Tofiga J. Tautolo;

 

·        United States Air Force Captain Reid K. Nishizuka;

 

·        United States Army Sergeant Drew M. Scobie; and

 

·        United States Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Edward Balli; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature 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 House of Representatives at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 25, 2014, to present the Hawaii Medal of Honor to the family or representative of each recipient.

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

Hawaii Medal of Honor