STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2231

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NO. 649

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 649, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of:

Civil Rights Commission

G.M. No. 649

WILLIAM PUETTE, for a term to expire 06-30-2021,

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee has reviewed the personal history, resume, and statement submitted by the nominee and finds William Puette to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated for appointment to the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission.

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of William Puette from the LGBT Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii; Hawaii Laborers-Employers Cooperation and Education Trust; Hawaiian Affairs Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i; O‘ahu County Committee of the O‘ahu County Democrats; Hawaii State Association of Parlimentarians; ILWU Local 142; Hawaii Fire Fighters Association, Local 1463, AFL-CIO; International Union of Painters and Allied Trade, District Council 50; United Public Workers, AFSCME, Local 646, AFL-CIO; Oahu County Democrats Legislative Priorities Committee; and twelve individuals.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Dr. Puette's extensive experience in labor education and workers' rights, expertise in civil rights history, and dedication to public service qualify him to be nominated for appointment to the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission. Your Committee notes that Dr. Puette is currently the Director of the Center for Labor Education and Research and a tenured Specialist in Labor Education on the faculty of the University of Hawai‘i West O‘ahu. He has been a member of the faculty of the University of Hawai‘i since 1982. In addition, Dr. Puette has been recognized several times for outstanding service to the public, including being awarded the Hung Wo and Elizabeth Lau Ching Faculty Service to the Community Award by the University of Hawai‘i in 2005. Your Committee further notes that Dr. Puette has worked closely with members of the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission in the past, and was the Commission's volunteer webmaster between 1997 and 2003, creating the Commission's first website. Your Committee finds that Dr. Puette's educational experience, historical expertise, and commitment to serving the community will be great assets to the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission.

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

____________________________

KARL RHOADS, Chair