STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2904

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 347

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2010

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 347, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

Commission of Fatherhood

G.M. No. 347

CHESTER JAMES ADESSA, JR., for a term to expire 6-30-2011,

begs leave to report as follows:

     Your Committee received testimony in support of Chester James Adessa, Jr. from the State Commission on Fatherhood, the Hawai`i Coalition for Dads and two individuals.  Written testimony presented to the Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

     Chester James Adessa, Jr. received his Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Chaminade University of Honolulu in 1987.  Mr. Adessa was employed as a Social Services Representative for the United States Army until 1989 when he was hired as a Family Advocacy Prevention and Education Specialist for the United States Navy, the position he currently holds.  Mr. Adessa is a certified Family Wellness instructor, a certified Nurturing Parent Program Facilitator, and a certified Active Parenting Instructor.  Mr. Adessa has numerous affiliations with groups in the community such as Prevent Child Abuse Hawaii, the National Council on Family Relations and the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

     Testimony in support of Mr. Adessa indicates he is an energetic advocate for the importance of fathers as a co-parent and is a great role model for fathers, and that he himself is a nurturing and involved father.  Testimony also indicates that Mr. Adessa has demonstrated a commitment to enhancing and developing awareness of the importance of fathers both in their families and in their communities, and he serves as an exemplary role model in the workplace and community.

     Your Committee finds that, based on the testimony submitted on his behalf and his experience and personal knowledge in the parenting field, Chester James Adessa, Jr. has the knowledge, experience and other competencies to be a member of the State Commission on Fatherhood.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee, after full consideration of the background, experience, and qualifications of the nominee, has found the nominee to be qualified for the position to which nominated and recommends that the Senate advise and consent to the nomination.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Human Services,

____________________________

SUZANNE CHUN OAKLAND, Chair