HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  SB 6285

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                      State Government

Title:  An act relating to establishing Pearl Harbor remembrance day.

Brief Description:  Establishing Pearl Harbor remembrance day.

Sponsors:  Senators Hargrove, Rasmussen, McAuliffe, Oke and Kohl‑Welles.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

State Government:  2/22/00 [DP].

                 Brief Summary of Bill

$Recognizes December 7 as Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 8 members:  Representatives McMorris, Republican Co-Chair; Romero, Democratic Co-Chair; Campbell, Republican Vice Chair; Miloscia, Democratic Vice Chair; Dunshee; Haigh; Lambert and D. Schmidt.

Staff:  Jim Morishima (786-7191).

Background:

On Sunday December 7, 1941, the Japanese executed a sneak attack on the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii.  The attack resulted in over 3,400 American casualties including over 2,300 deaths.  The attack also severely damaged American naval assets in the Pacific and precipitated the United States' entry into World War II.

A variety of dates are specially recognized in Washington, without being considered legal holidays.  For example, August 7 is recognized as Purple Heart Day.  Also, April 16 is recognized as Mother Joseph Day, and September 4 is recognized as Marcus Whitman Day.

Summary of Bill:

December 7 is recognized as Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, but is not considered a legal holiday for any purpose.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  The American soldiers who sacrificed their lives at Pearl Harbor should not be forgotten.  The attack on Pearl Harbor forever changed America's status as a world power; it started our commitment to fight for freedom and started our great economic engine.  The state should not pass up this opportunity to remember.  Recognizing Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day will heal the wounds of many veterans and their families.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Senator Hargrove, prime sponsor; Al Weddle and Tom Anderson, Pearl Harbor Survivor's Association; Bill Sholin and Milton Till, Veterans of Foreign Wars; and Skip Dreps, Paralyzed Veterans of America.