STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1183-08

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2008

RE:   H.R. No. 16

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Human Services & Housing and International Affairs, to which was referred H.R. No. 16 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO RATIFY THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE ELIMINATION OF ALL FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this resolution is to request the United States Congress to ratify the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (Convention).

     The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii, the Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and several concerned individuals supported this resolution.

     Your Committees find that the Convention provides the basis for realizing equality between women and men by ensuring women equal access to, and equal opportunities in, political and public life.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Human Services & Housing and International Affairs that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 16 and recommend its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Human Services & Housing and International Affairs,

____________________________ RIDA T.R. CABANILLA, Chair

____________________________ KARL A. RHOADS, Acting Chair