HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

THE TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE

REGULAR SESSION OF 2009

 

COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES

Rep. John M. Mizuno, Chair

Rep. Tom Brower, Vice Chair

 

Rep. Della Au Belatti

Rep. Maile S.L. Shimabukuro

Rep. Joe Bertram, III

Rep. Ryan I. Yamane

Rep. Mele Carroll

Rep. Gene Ward

Rep. Scott Y. Nishimoto

 

 

NOTICE OF INFORMATIONAL BRIEFING

 

DATE:

Monday, April 06, 2009

TIME:

9:30 am

PLACE:

Conference Room 329

State Capitol

415 South Beretania Street

 

A G E N D A

 

The purpose of this briefing is to bring awareness of the plight of the children used as soldiers in Northern Uganda and the human rights atrocities occurring in Northern Uganda.  In 2008, the Hawaii State Legislature, House of Representatives became the first legislative body in the United States to pass a measure (House Resolution 39, HD2) which officially condemned the human rights atrocities and violence in Northern Uganda, noting the violence, murders, abduction of children, families being displaced and the violations of civil rights.

 

Hawaii has the opportunity to be recognized as a leader in addressing civil rights violations and violence worldwide.  In response to the crisis in Uganda, the Hawaii Legislature, House of Representatives has introduced HCR304 and HR276, which passed out the of House Human Services Committee on March 23, 2009; condemning the human rights atrocities and violence against children in Northern Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo and urging Congress to lead the international community in efforts to protect the children and people of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

 

The following organizations/individuals have been invited to participate:

 

Invisible Children Hawaii; and

 

Sara Ortiz, Director of International Youth Network; and

 

Paul Tran, Hawaii Pacific University Professor and Advisor; and

 

Chelsea Travis, Hawaii Pacific University Student President for the Invisible Children; and

fellow student advocates Lacy Gereninger; and

Aya Sato; and

Janie Turner; and

Melanie Menor; and

 

Others who support the Invisible Children Movement.

 

Only testimony from those on the testifiers list will be accepted.

 

Persons on the testifiers list wishing to offer comments should submit testimony at least 24 hours prior to the hearing with a transmittal cover indicating:

·     Testifier's name with position/title and organization;

·     The Committee the comments are directed to;

·     The date and time of the hearing;

·     Measure number; and

·     The number of copies the Committee is requesting. 

 

While every effort will be made to copy, organize, and collate all testimony received, materials received on the day of the hearing or improperly identified or directed to the incorrect office, may be distributed to the Committee after the hearing.

 

Submit testimony in ONE of the following ways:

PAPER:   One copy (including an original) to Room 315 in the State Capitol;

FAX:        For comments less than 5 pages in length, transmit to 586-8524 (Oahu) or 1-800-535-3859 (Neighbor Islands); or

EMAIL:   For comments less than 5 pages in length, transmit to [email protected].

 

Testimony submitted will be placed on the Legislative Web site after the hearing adjourns.  This public posting of testimony on the Web site should be considered when including personal information in your testimony.

 

 

If you require special assistance or auxiliary aids and/or services to participate in the House public hearing process (i.e., sign or foreign language interpreter or wheelchair accessibility), please contact the Committee Clerk at 586-6050 or email your request for an interpreter to [email protected] at least 24 hours prior to the hearing for arrangements.  Prompt requests submitted help to ensure the availability of qualified individuals and appropriate accommodations.

 

For further information, please call the Committee Clerk at 586-6050.

 

Selected meetings are broadcast live.  Check the current legislative broadcast schedule on the "Capitol TV" Web site at www.capitoltv.org OR call 550-8074.

 

 

 

 

 

________________________________________

Rep. John M. Mizuno

Chair