STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3030

                                   Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                     , 2000

                                   RE:  GOV. MSG. NO. 140
                                        




Honorable Norman Mizuguchi
President of the Senate
Twentieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 2000
State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Education and Technology, to which was
referred Governor's Message No. 140, submitting for study and
consideration the nomination of:

     JOSEPH F. BLANCO, gubernatorial nominee as Special Advisor
     for Technology Development, for a term to expire June 30,
     2003,

begs leave to report as follows:

     Testimony in support of the nomination was received from the
Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism,
Department of Taxation, Department of Commerce and Consumer
Affairs, GA Morris, Inc., 101 Things To Do, Joan Bennet and
Associates, Inc., Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, and three
individuals.

     Upon review of the testimony and the statement submitted by
the nominee and having diligently questioned the nominee, your
Committee finds that Joseph F. Blanco has the necessary
character, experience, and qualifications to continue to serve as
Special Advisor for Technology Development.

     Since his appointment in September 1999 as Special Advisor
for Technology Development, Mr. Blanco forged strong partnerships
between the public and private sectors, such as creating a
statewide telemedicine network in collaboration with the Harry
and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation.  Additionally, Mr. Blanco
established two new technology-based industries in Hawaii -
widebody aircraft maintenance and aviation training.  Using his

 
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                                   STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3030
                                   Page 2


strong management and negotiating skills, Mr. Blanco successfully
negotiated and brought both the Miss Universe Pageant and the
television series Baywatch to Hawaii.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your
Committee on Education and Technology that is attached to this
report, your Committee, after full consideration of the
background, character, experience, and qualifications of the
nominee, has found the nominee to be qualified for the position
to which nominated and recommends that the Senate advise and
consent to the nomination.

                                   Respectfully submitted on
                                   behalf of the members of the
                                   Committee on Education and
                                   Technology,



                                   ______________________________
                                   DAVID Y. IGE, Chair

 
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