STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2560

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 567

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 567, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Oahu Service Area Board

G.M. No. 567

PATRICK BROWN, for a term to expire 6-30-2018.

begs leave to report as follows:

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

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Dr. Brown from the Department of Health.

     Your Committee notes that Dr. Brown holds a Doctor of Philosophy and is retired from the federal government with thirty years of service.  Dr. Brown served as a member of the Senior Executive Service with the U.S. Agency for International Development.  Prior to this position, Dr. Brown served as a civilian employee of the Department of the Navy at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Human Resources Manager at the Marine Corps Base Hawaii.

     Dr. Brown is the parent of an adult child who struggles with alcoholism and mental illness.  In order to assist his child, Dr. Brown has researched both illnesses and acquainted himself with resources available for the management of addiction and mental illness.  Dr. Brown co-authored a book for families with a member struggling with addiction.

     Your Committee further notes that Dr. Brown has demonstrated significant dedication to public service, as evidenced by his work with Catholic Charities' Na Ohana Pulama, a program which cares for children who have not been able to succeed in normal foster care programs.  Additionally, Dr. Brown and his wife have provided a home for three children in this program.  Your Committee finds that Dr. Brown has been nominated to the Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Oahu Service Area Board, based on his knowledge, experience, and commitment to serving individuals struggling with mental health and substance abuse issues.

     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, Chair