H.C.R. NO. 18 Summary

• Requests the Hawaii Office of Veterans' Services to prioritize policies and services that expand financial and other forms of benefits for Hawaii National Guard veterans, retirees, and veteran-owned small businesses

• Recognizes that over 1,000 Hawaii National Guard veterans and retirees were deployed to dangerous areas including Iraq and Afghanistan following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks

• Acknowledges that deployed National Guard members suffered significant loss of income while maintaining personal expenses such as rent, mortgages, car payments, child care costs, and tuition fees

• States that Hawaii bears a sacred responsibility to support Hawaii National Guard veterans and retirees who served the United States and the State of Hawaii

• Directs certified copies of the resolution be transmitted to the Director of the Hawaii Office of Veterans' Services, the Advisory Board on Veterans' Services, and the Adjutant General for the Hawaii Department of Defense