STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1630

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.C.R. No. 216

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committees on Intergovernmental and Military Affairs and Transportation and International Affairs, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 216 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING HAWAII'S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO SUPPORT THE GLOBAL DEMOCRACY PROMOTION ACT, WHICH WOULD REPEAL THE "GLOBAL GAG RULE" AND RELEASE MUCH-NEEDED FUNDS FOR INTERNATIONAL FAMILY PLANNING PROGRAMS,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to request that Hawaii's Congressional Delegation support the Global Democracy Promotion Act.

     Your Committees did not receive testimony on this measure.

     Your Committees find that the "Global Gag Rule" was implemented in 2001 by President George W. Bush and is a harmful policy that bans foreign family planning programs that receive financial aid from the United States, from using their own moneys to provide counseling on abortion services, family planning advocacy, referrals, and other services to women.

     Your Committees further find that the "Global Gag Rule" undermines a key goal of United States foreign policy to improve healthcare in developing nations and is the cause of the deaths of some of the poorest women in the world.

     Your Committees further find that, according to the World Health Organization, over 80,000 women and girls die from unsafe abortions every year and that number is expected to reach as many as 200,000.

     Your Committees further find that the Global Democracy Promotion Act makes clear that funds from the United States may not be denied to overseas nongovernmental organizations based on the type of medical services provided.

     It is the intent of your Committees to request that Hawaii's Congressional Delegation support the Global Democracy Promotion Act, which would repeal the "Global Gag Rule" and release much-needed funds for international family planning programs.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Intergovernmental and Military Affairs and Transportation and International Affairs that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 216 and recommend its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Intergovernmental and Military Affairs and Transportation and International Affairs,

____________________________ J. KALANI ENGLISH, Chair

____________________________ LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair