STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1651

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 766

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Judiciary and Labor, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 766, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

Civil Rights Commission

G.M. No. 766

ARTEMIO BAXA, for a term to expire 6-30-2017,

begs leave to report as follows:

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal history, resume, and statement submitted by the nominee and finds Artemio Baxa to possess the requisite commitment, sincerity, dedication, and qualifications to be nominated to the Civil Rights Commission.   

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this nominee from the Filipino Coalition for Solidarity, Filipino American Citizens League, National Federation of Filipino American Associations Region 12, and four individuals.

     Mr. Baxa earned a Bachelor of Laws degree from Ateneo de Manila University School of Law.  He went on to earn a Master's degree in Comparative Law from the University of Chicago Law School and a law degree from the William S. Richardson School of Law.  He is licensed to practice law in the Philippines and Hawaii.  He served for more than ten years as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for the County of Maui and a few years in private practice, and he also served as a Circuit Court Judge of the Second Circuit presiding over criminal and civil cases.  He currently works as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for the County of Maui in its Appellate Division. 

     Even before entering law school in the United States, Mr. Baxa served his community and advocated for those most vulnerable to civil rights abuses.  For several years, he worked for the Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc., an anti-poverty agency, where he served individuals being denied basic rights and entitlements.  Subsequently, he worked with the University of Hawaii School of Urban and Regional Planning Program where he prepared a comprehensive Report on Filipino Immigration and Social Challenges in Maui County that was instrumental in establishing the County of Maui's Immigrant Services Program.  As an experienced community activist, attorney, and judge, Mr. Baxa understands the vital role that the Commission plays in upholding federal and state civil rights laws and is committed to decreasing the backlog of cases pending before the Commission.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary and Labor 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 Judiciary and Labor,

____________________________

CLAYTON HEE, Chair