STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1723

                                   Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                     , 1999

                                   RE:  GOV. MSG. NO. 149
                                        




Honorable Norman Mizuguchi
President of the Senate
Twentieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 1999
State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Transportation and Intergovernmental
Affairs, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 149,
submitting for study and consideration the nomination of:

     EDWARD V. RICHARDSON, gubernatorial nominee as Adjutant
General, for a term to expire December 2, 2002,

begs leave to report as follows:

     Upon review of the background information submitted by the
nominee, your Committee finds that Edward V. Richardson has
served as Adjutant General of the Department of Defense since
1991.  After attending the University of Hawaii, General
Richardson began his military career when he entered the Hawaii
Air National Guard in 1956.  He entered the U.S. Air Force
Aviation Cadet Pilot Training Program and was commissioned a
second lieutenant in 1957.  Thereafter, he served as an assistant
operations officer for the 199th Fighter Interceptor Squadron,
served as a flying safety officer for the 154th fighter Group,
and volunteered for active duty in Southeast Asia and was
assigned to the 64th Fighter Interceptor Squadron in Thailand and
Da Nang Air Base, Vietnam.  

     General Richardson was selected as commander of the 199th
Fighter Interceptor Squadron in 1976, assigned as chief of staff,
Headquarters, Hawaii Air National Guard, and promoted to colonel.
In 1982, he was appointed commander of the Hawaii Air National
Guard and promoted to brigadier general.  General Richardson
served as commander until 1991 when he was appointed Adjutant
General of the Department of Defense.

 
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                                   STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1723
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     In addition, General Richardson has numerous civic
affiliations including Friends of Iolani Palace, Director; Aloha
United Way, Director; American Redcross Hawaii Chapter, Director;
Hawaii Chamber of Commerce; and Kamehameha Schools Alumni
Association.

     Testimony in support of the nominee was received from the
U.S. Attorney's Office, U.S. Marshall's Office, Department of
Public Safety, Office of Veterans Services, Hawaii National Guard
Enlisted Association, Enlisted Association of the National Guard
of the United States, Big Island Veterans Association, Kauai
Veterans Council, Fleet Reserve Association, Branch 46, Waimanalo
Neighborhood Board No. 32, and nineteen individuals.

     All testimony unanimously supported the nomination of
General Richardson and described him as a true advocate for the
people of Hawaii including veterans and their families.
Testimony indicated that he is a respected and accomplished
leader.  During his service as adjutant general, General
Richardson earned the respect of his colleagues and subordinates
by providing strong and innovative leadership during times of
disaster, war, and peace.  He is committed to improving the
efficiency and effectiveness of the Department of Defense and is
a person of integrity, honor, and compassion.

     Your Committee members diligently questioned the nominee
regarding his goals for the Department of Defense.  Generally, he
discussed numerous goals relating to personnel, readiness,
training, equipment and facilities, force structure, community
relations, civil defense and veterans services.  Based upon this
discussion, your Committee believes that the nominee adequately
responded to the committee's inquiries.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your
Committee on Transportation and Intergovernmental Affairs 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.


 
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                                   STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1723
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                                   Respectfully submitted on
                                   behalf of the members of the
                                   Committee on Transportation
                                   and Intergovernmental Affairs,



                                   ______________________________
                                   CAL KAWAMOTO, Chair

 
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