SSCR1669

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1669

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NOS. 790, 791

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary and Labor, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 790 and 791, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

Commission on the Status of Women

G.M. No. 790

MARILYN LEE,

for a term to expire 06-30-2021; and

G.M. No. 791

JUDY KERN,

for a term to expire 06-30-2021,

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee has reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by the nominees and finds Marilyn Lee and Judy Kern to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated for reappointment to the Commission on the Status of Women.

MARILYN LEE

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Marilyn Lee from the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, Crime Victim Compensation Commission, Board of Directors of the Friends of the Missing Child Center, and twelve individuals.

Ms. Lee worked as a nurse for almost forty years. She began her nursing career in the United States Navy where she attained the rank of full Lieutenant. For twenty-five years, she was employed at Wahiawa General Hospital, where she served as the Manager of the Medical Surgical Unit and Nursing Supervisor. In 1995, she wrote and defended a certificate of need to establish the Wahiawa General Hospital Home Health Agency.

Of particular note, Ms. Lee was elected to the Hawaii State House of Representatives in 1996, representing House District 36 for sixteen years. During her tenure at the State House of Representatives, she served in multiple positions, including the Co-Chairperson of the Women's Legislative Caucus, Co-Chairperson of the Kupuna Caucus, Majority Floor Leader and Whip, Vice-Chairperson of the House Committee on Finance, and a member of several other House standing committees.

Testimony in support of Ms. Lee's nomination for reappointment indicates she has extensive experience in advocating for the women and girls of Hawaii. As a former State House Representative, she tirelessly advocated for policies to benefit Hawaii's women, girls, and working families. If appointed to the Commission on the Status of Women for a second term, her skills as an administrator, educator, and nurse coupled with her strong commitment to advancing the rights of women and girls will continue to help the Commission to fulfill its mandate to strengthen the role of women and promote the interests of girls residing in Hawaii.

JUDY KERN

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Judy Kern from the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women and three individuals.

Ms. Kern currently serves as the Acting Branch Co-Chief and Education and Training Coordinator for the Public Health Preparedness Branch of the Department of Health, where her major responsibilities include the development and implementation of public health preparedness activities to achieve U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention grant performance measures in Community Preparedness and Public Information and Warning. She also coordinates the Department's workforce training in the Incident Command System and compliance with the National Incident Management System. She previously served at the Department of Health as a Public Information Specialist at the Communications Office and Program Specialist at the Executive Office on Aging. Prior to working at the Department of Health, she served as the Deputy Director of Lanakila Meals on Wheels.

Ms. Kern is an active volunteer with various community organizations. She currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Mohala Farms. She previously served on the boards of Planned Parenthood of Hawaii and Hawaii People's Fund.

Testimony in support of Ms. Kern's nomination for reappointment indicates that she is passionate about human rights and has a deep understanding of local, national, and global issues related to social justice. If appointed to the Commission on the Status of Women for a second term, her professional skills and experience at the Department of Health and Lanakila Meals on Wheels coupled with her strong commitment to advancing the rights of women and girls will continue to help the Commission to fulfill its mandate to strengthen the role of women and promote the interests of girls residing in Hawaii.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary and Labor that are attached to this report, your Committee, after full consideration of the background, experience, and qualifications of the nominees, has found the nominees to be qualified for the positions to which nominated and recommends that the Senate advise and consent to the nominations.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary and Labor,

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GILBERT S.C. KEITH-AGARAN, Chair