STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1375

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 733

 

 

 

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Public Safety, Government Operations, and Military Affairs, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 733, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

 

Crime Victim Compensation Commission

 

G.M. No. 733

MARI A. MCCAIG,

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 Mari A. McCaig to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the Crime Victim Compensation Commission.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of Mari A. McCaig from the State of Hawaii Crime Victim Compensation Commission, Visitor Aloha Society of Hawaii, and four individuals.

 

     Mari A. McCaig has been with the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney, City and County of Honolulu, as a Victim and Witness Counselor providing counseling and support to victims and witnesses involved in criminal cases.  She is also the Director of the Visitor Assistance Program and has worked previously for Child and Family Services and Catholic Social Services.  The nominee received a Master of Science degree in Counseling Psychology from Chaminade University of Honolulu and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and French from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

 

     The nominee received the Liberty Bell Award in 2003 from the Hawaii State Bar Association for exemplary service to the community.  She is a member of Psi Chi, a National Honor Society in Psychology of the American Psychological Association; a Certified Cognitive Trauma Therapist; and a National Certified Counselor of the American Psychological Association.  She is on the Board of Directors of the Susannah Wesley Community Center; Fetu'Ao, a Samoan community organization; and Peoples Fund; and she is on the Community Advisory Board of the Department of Ethnic Studies at the University of Hawaii.

 

     Your Committee notes from Mari A. McCaig's personal statement that a significant part of her professional life has been dedicated to working with victims of crime and providing services and support as they navigate through the arduous complexities of the criminal justice system.  During this time she has worked with victims of sex assault, domestic violence, physical assault, kidnapping, and in the cases of homicide and negligent homicide, the surviving family members of the victim.  The nominee believes the primary role of a Commissioner is to determine the eligibility of the crime victim applicant.  The Commission then evaluates and analyzes criminal justice data to verify that an eligible crime has occurred.  Finally, the Commission evaluates the financial, medical, and criminal justice documents to ensure that the victim is fairly and justly awarded compensation.

 

     Your Committee further notes that the nominee states that she is committed to the concept of restorative justice for crime victims.  She believes it is important to hold offenders accountable for the harm they have inflicted on the victim, and as a vital part of restorative justice to hold them financially accountable by paying restitution to the victim.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety, Government Operations, and Military Affairs 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 Public Safety, Government Operations, and Military Affairs,

 

 

 

____________________________

WILL ESPERO, Chair