STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1353

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 713

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 713, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Kaua'i Service Area Board

G.M. No. 713

BEN H. NELSON, for a term to expire 6-30-2015,

begs leave to report as follows:

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal history, resume, and statement submitted by the nominee and finds Ben H. Nelson to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Kauai Service Area Board.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Ben H. Nelson from the Department of Health.

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Rev. Nelson's experience within the mental health community qualifies him for nomination to the Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Kaua‘i Service Area Board. 

     Rev. Nelson is the current Rector and Senior Pastor in charge of parish administration, teaching, liturgical duties, and weekly preaching at the All Saints' Episcopal Church on the Island of Kauai.  Prior to joining All Saints' Episcopal Church, Rev. Nelson served as the Associate Rector at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee.  Originally from Mississippi, Rev. Nelson has served as a pastor at churches throughout Texas, Tennessee, and now Hawaii. 

     Rev. Nelson has a special interest in providing outreach services to people with mental illness living in recovery, and he is a strong advocate for educating the public to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness.  He has worked extensively to ensure that the members of his parish and community who need mental health services receive proper care. 

     Rev. Nelson has a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Millsaps College and a Master of Divinity degree from the University of the South School of Theology.  He is currently seeking his Doctor of Ministry degree through the University of the South. 

     Your Committee finds that Rev. Nelson's commitment to serving others and helping those afflicted by mental illness will make him a strong advocate on the Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Kaua‘i Service Area Board. 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health 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 Health,

____________________________

JOSH GREEN, M.D., Chair