STAND.
COM. REP. NO. 1844
Honolulu, Hawaii
RE: GOV. MSG. NOS. 653, 658
Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi
President of the Senate
Thirty-First State Legislature
Regular Session of 2021
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Health, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 653 and 658, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:
Mental Health and
Substance Abuse, Oahu Service Area Board
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G.M. No. 653 |
RICHARD JACKSON, for a term to expire 06-30-2024; and |
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G.M. No. 658 |
JACQUELYN ESSER, for a term to expire 06-30-2024, |
begs leave to report as follows:
RICHARD JACKSON
Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Jackson's experience in volunteer work, commitment to public service, and dedication to the well-being and health of people living with mental illness qualify him for appointment to the Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Oahu Service Area Board. Your Committee notes that Mr. Jackson is passionate about volunteering in his community. For example, he volunteered with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service Pacific Region Headquarters before being hired as an employee, retiring with twenty-five years of service. During that time, he dedicated years of service as a volunteer with CrimeStoppers Honolulu. Currently, Mr. Jackson volunteers with the Hawaii Air Force Association at Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam.
Your Committee further finds that Mr. Jackson meets the requirement that a representative be a mental health service recipient. Your Committee therefore recommends that Mr. Jackson be appointed to the Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Oahu Service Area Board based on his experience in volunteerism and his commitment to the health and well-being of those living with mental illness.
JACQUELYN ESSER
Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Jacquelyn Esser from the Behavioral Health Administration, Hawai‘i Health & Harm Reduction Center, and four individuals.
Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Esser's experience as a public defender, commitment to public service, and dedication to the health and well-being for those living with mental illness qualify her for appointment to the Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Oahu Service Area Board. Ms. Esser is currently a public defender whose clients often live with a mental illness or substance use disorder. Your Committee notes that Ms. Esser recently ran for the office of Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney on a platform that emphasized the importance of addressing mental illness and substance abuse as public health issues instead of criminal justice issues. Ms. Esser earned her Bachelor of Business Administration and Juris Doctorate from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
Your Committee further finds that Ms. Esser meets the requirement that a representative be a family member of a mental health service recipient. Your Committee therefore recommends that Ms. Esser be appointed to the Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Oahu Service Area Board based on her experience as a public defender and her commitment to the health and well-being of those living with mental illness.
As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Health 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 Health,
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____________________________ JARRETT KEOHOKALOLE, Chair |
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