STAND. COM. REP. NO.1016

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2003

RE: GOV. MSG. NO. 4

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection and Housing, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 4, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of:

MARK RECKTENWALD, gubernatorial nominee as Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs for a term to expire December 4, 2006,

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination from the following: State Representative for the Twenty-Eighth District, United States Attorney for the District of Hawaii, National Federation of Independent Business-Hawaii, Hawaii Financial Services Association, Legislative Information Services of Hawaii, J.S. Services, Inc., Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, Hawaii Government Employees Association, Hawaii Automobile Dealers' Association, Akaku: Maui Community Television, Hawaii Association of Realtors, The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, Pacific Management Consultants, Inc., L19.5 Associates, LLC, House of Finance, Inc., three employees of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, and numerous individuals from the business, legal, and medical communities. Oral testimony in support of the nomination was presented by the Hawaii Medical Association and two individuals.

Mr. Mark Recktenwald graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University in 1978 and with honors from the University of Chicago Law School in 1986. His legal experience includes a clerkship with Chief United States District Judge Harold Fong, five years in private practice, and nine years with the Office of the United States Attorney where he received the Inspector General's Integrity Award.

As an attorney in private practice, Mr. Recktenwald handled a variety of business and antitrust matters normally assigned to more senior attorneys. As a Deputy United States Attorney, the nominee successfully prosecuted cases involving financial and regulatory crimes, including cases of health care fraud. Numerous supporters attested to his outstanding administrative skills, which enabled him to coordinate and lead various task forces and working groups, comprised of large numbers of persons from county, state, and federal agencies and the private sector.

Your Committee received unanimous and unequivocal testimony in support of the nominee's professional skills and personal qualities. Time and time again, Mr. Recktenwald was described as intelligent, hardworking, honest, ethical, fair, and compassionate. One colleague, who has known the nominee for almost twenty years, testified that Mr. Recktenwald treats everyone with dignity and respect, carefully listens to all viewpoints, is prudent in making decisions, will not yield to improper influences, and is committed to doing what is right, rather than what is expedient.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection and Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee, after full consideration of the background, character, 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 Commerce, Consumer Protection and Housing,

____________________________

RON MENOR, Chair