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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.R. NO. |
43 |
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THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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HOUSE RESOLUTION
urging HAWAI‘I's congressional delegation and the governor to collaborate with the legislature to ensure expedited burials for veterans, deceased active duty members of the united states armed forces, and their spouses at veterans cemeteries throughout the state of hawai‘i.
WHEREAS, this body recognizes that in Native Hawaiian culture, the proper burial of a deceased Native Hawaiian is an important sacred practice, rite, and right; and
WHEREAS, this body respects the rights of Native Hawaiians to be buried in a timely manner or with respect to the wishes of the decedent and families; and
WHEREAS, this body recognizes and supports the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs' position that all United States veterans and their spouses have earned the privilege to be buried in a veterans' cemetery and all decedents deserve the highest standards for burials, as is a long-standing tradition and practice of Native Hawaiian culture; and
WHEREAS, the family of a member of the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs recently experienced difficulty in securing a speedy burial for a deceased loved one at the Hawai‘i State Veterans Cemetery in Kāne‘ohe, O‘ahu; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Viola Lewis, a spouse of a predeceased United States veteran buried at the Hawai‘i State Veterans Cemetery, passed away on February 19, 2018, but could not be buried for more than five weeks due to administrative delays at the cemetery; and
WHEREAS, appropriate legislation and sufficient funding are needed to expedite burials at all veterans cemeteries throughout Hawai‘i; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirtieth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2019, that Hawai‘i's congressional delegation and the Governor are urged to collaborate with this body to ensure expedited burials for veterans, deceased active duty members of the United States Armed Forces, and their spouses at veterans cemeteries in Hawai‘i; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Governor is also urged to direct the Hawai‘i Office of Veterans' Services to implement all measures practicable and necessary to expedite burials at all veterans cemeteries throughout Hawai‘i; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the members of Hawai‘i's Congressional Delegation; Secretary of Veterans Affairs; Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs; Governor; Director of the Office of Veterans' Services; Chair of the Board of Trustees, Office of Hawaiian Affairs; and Mayors of the City and County of Honolulu and Counties of Maui, Kaua‘i, and Hawai‘i.
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OFFERED BY: |
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Veterans; Expedited Burial; Veterans Cemeteries; Native Hawaiians