Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on International Affairs, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 28 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this concurrent resolution is to request Congress to fully fund the Millennium Challenge Account and involve women as full and active participants in economic development assistance programs in their nations.

The Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women and Life of the Land testified in support of this concurrent resolution.

In March 2002, President George W. Bush unveiled the Millennium Challenge Account, a plan to significantly increase development assistance to the poor and developing countries by an additional $10,000,000,000 in foreign assistance over fiscal years 2004-2006. Your Committee finds that it is critical that initiatives and programs funded through the Millennium Challenge Account include activities that enable women to plan active roles in the economic and civic activities of their countries.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on International Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 28 and recommends its adoption.