STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1199

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 366, 367, 368, 369, 370, 371, 372

 

 

 

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 366, 367, 368, 369, 370, 371, and 372, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

State Council on Mental Health

 

G.M. No. 366

BELINDA A. ANDERSON,

for a term to expire 6-30-2008;

 

G.M. No. 367

PETER DEAN GONZALEZ,

for a term to expire 6-30-2011;

 

G.M. No. 368

DONNA DARLENE HANSEN,

for a term to expire 6-30-2008;

 

G.M. No. 369

RICHARD CHARLES JACKSON,

for a term to expire 6-30-2010;

 

G.M. No. 370

SANDRA JANE MIYOSHI,

for a term to expire 6-30-2011;

 

G.M. No. 371

JOY E. PATTERSON,

for a term to expire 6-30-2011; and

 

G.M. No. 372

G. NOELANI WILCOX,

for a term to expire 6-30-2008,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Upon review of the statements submitted by the nominees, your Committee finds that the aforementioned nominees will work with compassion and commitment to assist in administering the government functions related to mental health.  Your Committee further finds that the nominees have been appointed based upon their credentials, integrity, and a desire to make Hawaii better through their participation on the State Council on Mental Health to which they have been nominated.

 

     Your Committee received testimony supporting the nomination of Belinda A. Anderson from the Department of Health.  Ms. Anderson is employed with Hoomau Ke Ola Drug Treatment Program in Waianae and is the mother of a child with a serious emotional and behavioral disorder.  Her participation and insight will be a valuable asset to the State Council on Mental Health.

 

     Your Committee received testimony supporting the nomination of Peter Dean Gonzalez from the Department of Health, Molokai Mental Health Services, a Maui County Council Member, Molokai Drop-In Center, and two individuals.  Mr. Gonzalez is the current Vice President for the Maurice Thompson Drop-In Center and is living with a mental illness.  Mr. Gonzalez's first hand knowledge of the issues mental health patients face on a daily basis and his advocacy on behalf of individuals with mental illness will significantly benefit the Council.

 

     Your Committee received testimony supporting the nomination of Donna Darlene Hansen from the Department of Health and four individuals.  Ms. Hansen is the mother of a son who has severe persistent mental illness.  She is Vice-President of the Maui Service Area Board on Mental Health and Substance Abuse and a staunch advocate for individuals with mental illness.  Ms. Hansen's knowledge, skills, and life experiences will enable her to be a valuable asset to the Council.

 

     Your Committee received testimony supporting the nomination of Richard Charles Jackson from the Department of Health; the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; CrimeStoppers Honolulu, Inc.; New Life Community Church; and the National Alliance on Mental Illness.  Mr. Jackson graduated from Central Michigan University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism.  He was awarded a bronze medal by the U.S. Department of Commerce for his diversity work and was honored in 2004 by the Oahu Area Service Board on Mental Health and Substance Abuse for writing a policy on diversity for the Board.  Mr. Jackson is also a published author.  His inspirational book, "Seasons of Hope", donates twenty-five per cent of its profits to the Hawaii Chapter of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill.  Mr. Jackson is the model of success for individuals living with a mental illness.  His knowledge and insight will enable him to serve as an invaluable asset to the Council.

 

     Your Committee received testimony supporting the nomination of Sandra Jane Miyoshi from the Department of Education and the Department of Health.  Ms. Miyoshi is the Branch Administrator of homeless programs for the Hawaii Public Housing Authority.  In this capacity, she also works closely with the Adult Mental Health Division to address the issues and needs of individuals with serious mental illness who are homeless.  Ms. Miyoshi's knowledge and experience will enable her to be a valuable asset to the Council.  In addition, her service on the Council will fulfill the Federal Community Mental Health Block Grant mandate (P.L. 102-321) for the State Council on Mental Health composition and representation from the State Housing Authority.

 

     Your Committee received testimony supporting the nomination of Joy E. Patterson from the Department of Health, the Vocational Rehabilitation and Services for the Blind, and four individuals.  Ms. Patterson has been a Staff Specialist for Employment at the Department of Human Services, Vocational Rehabilitation and Services for the Blind Division since 1999.  She has dedicated her life's work to public service and is aware of the issues facing individuals with multiple health challenges when functioning in the community setting.  Ms. Patterson's service on the Council will be an invaluable asset.  In addition, as a representative of the Vocational Rehabilitation and Services for the Blind Division, her service will fulfill the Federal Community Mental Health Block Grant mandate (P.L. 102-321) for the State Council on Mental Health composition and representation from the State Vocational Rehabilitation Agency.

 

     Your Committee received testimony supporting the nomination of G. Noelani Wilcox from the Department of Health, the Adult Mental Health Division of the Department of Health, and four individuals.  Ms. Wilcox received a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from the University of Hawaii, a certificate for Women's Health Care Nurse Practitioner from the University of California Harbor Medical Center, and a Master of Science in Nursing and Community Health from the University of Hawaii.  She has twenty-five years of dedicated service and outstanding work experience in mental health and nursing in Hawaii.  In addition, Ms. Wilcox is the mother of a child with mental illness.  Her service on the Council will be an invaluable asset and will help to further the success and goals of the State Council on Mental Health.

 

     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,

 

 

 

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair