STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1841

                                   Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                     , 1999

                                   RE:  GOV. MSG. NO. 323
                                        




Honorable Norman Mizuguchi
President of the Senate
Twentieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 1999
State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Health and Human Services, to which was
referred Governor's Message No. 323, submitting for study and
consideration the nominations of:

STATE COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN

     G.M. No. 323       JANE RENFRO SMITH and LESLIE WILKINS, for
                        terms to expire June 30, 2003, 

begs leave to report as follows:

     Upon review of the statements submitted by the nominees,
your Committee finds that the aforementioned nominees are
volunteers, willing to serve without compensation, who will work
with compassion and commitment to assist in administering the
functions of the State Commission on the Status of Women.  Your
Committee further finds that the nominees have been appointed
based upon their professional credentials, integrity, and a
desire to make Hawaii better through their participation on the
State Commission on the Status of Women.

     Your Committee specifically notes the following:

     Jane Renfro Smith has earned a Bachelor of Science degree in
Child Development at the University of Maine, as well as a
Master's degree in Social Work from the University of Hawaii.
She currently holds the position of Interim Managing Director for
the YWCA of Oahu, and is responsible for operations and program
management for the Association, where she is focused on women's
empowerment and the elimination of racism on Oahu.  In addition,

 
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                                   STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1841
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Jane Renfro Smith was the first President and Chief Executive
Officer of the Hawaii Community Foundation from 1988 to 1998, and
prior to that was a Vice President and Department Manager with
Pacific Century Trust.  Her vast experience and leadership
skills, combined with her commitment to women's issues and public
service make Jane Renfro Smith a qualified addition to the State
Commission on the Status of Women.

     Testimony in support of Jane Renfro Smith was submitted by
the State Commission on the Status of Women, the YWCA of Oahu,
Pacific Century Trust, KCAA Pre-Schools of Hawaii, the Domestic
Violence Clearinghouse and Legal Hotline, the Atherton Family
Foundation, Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Gerson, Grekin, and
Wynhoff Attorneys at Law, and five private individuals.

     Leslie Wilkins holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political
Science as well as a Master's degree in Public Administration.
She is currently a consultant for the Maui Economic Development
Board, having previously worked as an adult literacy instructor
and trainer.  Leslie Wilkins has been involved with Hawaii
Federation of Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Inc., for
over ten years, and has held the positions of Maui President,
State President, National Board member, and Legislation Chair.
She has also devoted her time to many community service
organizations including Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies, Sex
Abuse Interventions, Inc., the Maui Early Childhood Resource
Coalition, and the Maui County Committee on the Status of Women.
Her work experience and her community service activities clearly
demonstrate her commitment to women's issues and civic
responsibility.  These qualities promise to make Leslie Wilkins a
positive addition to the State Commission on the Status of Women.

     Testimony in support of Leslie Wilkins was submitted by the
State Commission on the Status of Women, the Hawaii Federation of
Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Inc., the Domestic
Violence Clearinghouse and Legal Hotline, and a private
individual.

     Your Committee determines that the nominees' experiences,
visions, and priorities as members of the Commission, will make
them assets to the State Commission on the Status of Women.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your
Committee on Health and Human Services that is attached to this
report, your Committee, after full consideration of the
background, character, experience, and qualifications of the
nominees, has found the nominees to be qualified for the
positions to which nominated and recommends that the Senate
advise and consent to the nominations.

 
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                                   STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1841
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                                   Respectfully submitted on
                                   behalf of the members of the
                                   Committee on Health and Human
                                   Services,



                                   ______________________________
                                   SUZANNE CHUN OAKLAND, Chair

 
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