WASHINGTON — A memorial for Hawai'i residents who contracted leprosy and were exiled to Moloka'i's Kalaupapa Peninsula moved nearer to reality today with a Senate panel's approval.

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee unanimously approved the bill to construct the memorial on a voice vote.

U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., said he did not know yet when the bill would come up for debate and a vote on the Senate floor.

But U.S. Sens. Daniel K. Akaka, sponsor of the bill, and Daniel K. Inouye, both Hawai'i Democrats, want to bring the bill to the floor this year.

"The experience of the…Hansen's disease patients sent to Kalaupapa is a painful part of Hawai'i's history, one our country should never forget," said Akaka, a committee member.

If the full Senate approves the bill without amendments, it would be sent to President Bush for his signature. The House approved the same bill on Feb. 14.

The memorial would list the names of about 8,000 people who were taken from their families between 1866 and 1969 and isolated on the peninsula because of society's fear of the disease, now known as Hansen's disease.

"A memorial listing the names … is the least we can do to honor their lives and sacrifices," said U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawai'i, sponsor of the bill in the House. "I am hopeful that we will see this bill become law before the end of…Congress."

The memorial, to be located in the Kalaupapa National Historical Park, is expected to list the names of all 8,000 of the disease's victims who died at Kalaupapa. About 6,700 of them were buried in unmarked graves.