Daily Archives: April 28, 2004

Representative Jon Riki Karamatsu
Floor Remarks Inserted into the Journal
April 16, 2004
49th Day
House Concurrent Resolution 127, House Draft 1
Requesting the Department of Accounting and General Services to Conduct a Study on the Cost of Maintaining Aloha Stadium

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support.

The Aloha Stadium (Stadium) in Halawa was built in 1975 and has served the general public for twenty-nine years. The repair and maintenance of the Stadium addressed various problems, including concerns with the corten steel used in the initial construction of the Stadium. That problem was addressed during a major overhaul of the Stadium from 1989 to 1995 that cost the State approximately $88,000,000. There is an anticipated maintenance cost concerning the replacement of all of the Stadium seats at a cost of approximately $17,500,000 over a three-year period. In addition, the Stadium parking lot is also in need of repair and is expected to cost the State approximately $6,000,000. I introduced this measure to find out what it will cost to maintain the Stadium with the intention of introducing another resolution in 2005 requesting the Department of Accounting and General Services to conduct a study on the cost of building a new stadium, and to have the department do a comparison between the two studies.

Thank you.

Representative Jon Riki Karamatsu
Floor Remarks Inserted into the Journal
April 13, 2004
47th Day
House Bill 1800, House Draft 1, Senate Draft 1, Conference Draft 1
Relating to the State Budget

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support.

As a member on the House Finance Committee, I am proud to have taken part in the final passage of the State budget bill. This budget provides for the priorities of the people of Hawaii while maintaining fiscal discipline. The legislature has allocated the limited available resources of the State to meet its most critical needs, namely the reinvention of our education system, ice use abatement, and affordable prescription drugs. The appropriation contained in the State budget is a thoughtful spending plan that reflects a balanced approach to addressing the important priorities of our communities without any tax increases.

Thank you.

Representative Jon Riki Karamatsu
Floor Remarks Inserted in the Journal
April 13, 2004
47th Day
House Resolution 186 and House Concurrent Resolution 258
Urging the United States Congress to Support the Passage of S. 68, Relating to Improving Benefits for Filipino Veterans of World War II

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support.

I want to express my support of House Resolution 186 and House Concurrent Resolution 258, which urges the United States Congress to pass S. 68 to improve benefits for certain Filipino veterans of World War II. The Rescission Act of 1946 withdrew the U.S. veteran's status of Filipino World War II soldiers, thereby denying them the benefits and compensation received by their American counterparts and soldiers of more than sixty-six other U.S. allied countries, which were similarly inducted into the U.S. military. The passage of S. 68 would extend full and equitable benefits, particularly health benefits, to Filipino veterans.

Thank you.

Representative Jon Riki Karamatsu
Floor Remarks Inserted in the Journal
April 13, 2004
47th Day
House Resolution 181 and House Concurrent Resolution 250
Requesting the President of the United States and the United States Congress to Support H.R. 677 Extending Veterans' Benefits to Filipino Veterans

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support.

I want to express my support of House Resolution 181 and House Concurrent Resolution 250, which urges the President of the United States and the United States Congress to pass House Resolution 677 (H.R. 677). H.R. 677 would deem certain service in the organized military forces of the Government of the Commonwealth of the Philippines and the Philippine Scouts to have been active service for purposes of benefits under programs administered by the Secretary of Veteran Affairs for qualified Filipino veterans. The resolution recognizes the courage and loyalty of the Filipino troops who fought along side our armed forces in the Philippines during World War II. Thus, H.R. 677 would make health benefits available to more of these qualified Filipino veterans.

Thank you.