STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1383-08

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2008

RE:   H.C.R. No. 181

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on International Affairs, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 181 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "AMERASIANS" IN THE AMERASIAN IMMIGRATION ACT OF 1982,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this concurrent resolution is to urge the United States Congress to amend the definition of "Amerasians" in the Amerasian Immigration Act of 1982, to include the Philippines in the list of Asian countries where children fathered by United States citizens between 1950 and October 22, 1982, may be eligible for preferential admissions treatment.

     Your Committee received written testimony offering comments indicating that the legacy of the Amerasian experience is so pervasive that it has affected popular culture and led to a number of films and plays reflecting the challenges which face Amerasians left behind, including the popular play "Miss Saigon" which spoke of the "Bu Doi" children ("the dust of life") and even "Braddock: Missing In Action III" a 1988 film starring Chuck Norris and others which portrayed many Amerasian children being left behind in Vietnam after the Fall in Saigon.

     Your Committee finds that the unique emotional, social, economic, and spiritual challenges faced by the descendants of American fathers left behind in places such as the Philippines and others represents a significant concern which may transcend generations and therefore, amendment of the Amerasian Immigration Act of 1982 merits special and further consideration.  As Herman Melville writes, "A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow men." Your Committee finds that reconnecting Amerasians will serve to strengthen those fibers which have been stretched yet ultimately remain tenuously intact by the separation of American fathers from their children.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on International Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 181 and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on International Affairs,

____________________________

RIDA T.R. CABANILLA, Chair