Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health and Human Services, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 328, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

begs leave to report as follows:

Upon review of the testimony and written statements submitted by the nominees, your Committee finds that Alan Buffenstein, M.D. and Linda Cochran have the necessary character, experience, and qualifications to serve on the State Council on Mental Health.

Your Committee received testimony from the Department of Health in support of the nominees.

Allan Buffenstein, M.D., holds a Medical degree from the University of Cape Town Medical School in South Africa and is a Hawaii licensed medical doctor. Dr. Buffenstein is presently with the University of Hawaii Department of Psychiatry, and also serves as a consulting psychiatrist with the Department of Human Services. He is past President of the Hawaii Psychiatric Association, and has participated with the Methamphetamine Forum and Mental Health Hawaii.

Linda Cochran attended LKWA Techncial Institute in Kirkland Washington, and is presently self-employed in Hawaii County. Ms. Cochran has served as a secretary to several Hawaii County businesses and organizations. She has been an active community volunteer with the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, Hawaii Community Mental Health Service area board, and Kona Friends of the Mentally Ill.

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.