STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3520

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 595

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2012

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 595, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Hawai‘i Service Area Board

G.M. No. 595

LAWRENCE WALTER, for a term to expire 6-30-2016,

begs leave to report as follows:

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

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Lawrence Walter from the Department of Health.

     Mr. Walter is a minister at the First United Protestant Church of Hilo, Hawaii.  Prior to moving to Hawaii in 2003, he worked at United Church of Christ churches for thirty years and served on the Corporate Board for Oroville Hospital.  Mr. Walter holds Master's degrees in Counseling and Psychology as well as Divinity.  He also has a great interest in working with youth problems, and has published numerous articles on addiction within the family setting, drug use, and teen pregnancy.  Mr. Walter has also undergone Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training and is a "safeTALK" trainer on the island of Hawaii.

     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