Bill > SCR179

This Concurrent Resolution officially designates March 10th as Enewetak Atoll (Marshall Islands) Liberation Day to honor and remember the people of Enewetak Atoll and their descendants living in Hawaii. The resolution acknowledges the historical context of Enewetak Atoll, including its capture by Japan during World War I, the hardships faced by its inhabitants during World War II, and its subsequent use by the United States for nuclear testing, which has had lasting impacts on the Marshall Islands. It also recognizes the Compact of Free Association (COFA), an agreement that established the Republic of the Marshall Islands as an independent nation and grants its citizens the right to live, study, and work in the United States without a visa, leading many from Enewetak Atoll to reside in Hawaii. The designation of March 10th as Liberation Day commemorates the day in 1944 when Enewetak residents emerged from bomb shelters after the Battle of Eniwetok, a day that evolved into a significant celebration of their resilience and history. Certified copies of this resolution will be sent to various officials, including the Governor of Hawaii and the President of the Republic of the Marshall Islands.