Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Human Services and Housing, to which was referred H.R. No. 7 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this resolution is to support the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Reauthorization Act of 2001 (Reauthorization Act), introduced by one of Hawaii's congressional representatives.

The Department of Human Services, Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, Goodwill Industries Hawaii, Volunteer Legal Services Hawaii, National Association of Social Workers, Parents and Children Together, American Friends Service Committee Economic Justice Subcommittee, Catholic Charities, and several concerned individuals testified in support of this measure.

Your Committee recognizes that this Reauthorization Act would reform TANF and encourage recipients to become self-sufficient. It authorizes post-secondary education as an allowable work activity under TANF, and emphasizes the long-term reduction of poverty.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services and Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 7 and recommends its adoption.