STAND. COM. REP. NO. 487

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 427, 428

 

 

 

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 427 and 428, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

Commission on Fatherhood

 

G.M. No. 427

MICHAEL R. DIAS,

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

 

G.M. No. 428

MYRNA B. MURDOCH,

for a term to expire 6-30-2011,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by the nominees, and finds Michael R. Dias and Myrna B. Murdoch to have the necessary qualifications to be nominated to the Commission on Fatherhood.

 

     Testimony in support of Mr. Dias was submitted by the Department of Human Services.

 

     Mr. Dias earned a Bachelor of Arts in Social Science and English, with a Minor in Hawaiian Studies, from the University of Hawaii at Hilo.  He is currently an Employment Specialist with Alu Like, Inc., Hawaii Island Center, and an instructor for the Na Pua Noeau-Hoomalamalama Program at the University of Hawaii at Hilo.  His previous work experience at Alu Like, Inc. includes serving as the Father Involvement Specialist for Hookahua Early Childhood Development in Honolulu, Native Hawaiian Vocational Education Program Specialist for the Native Hawaiian Vocational Education Program in Honolulu, and the Hawaii Island Representative for the Multi Service Program in Hilo.

 

     Mr. Dias has served on the Commission on Fatherhood since 2006.  He has many years of experience in the field of Human Services and is familiar with data, research, programs, and developments concerning fathers and families.  According to the Department of Human Services, Mr. Dias is a father himself and would be a strong advocate for fathers, children, and families.

 

     Testimony in support of Ms. Murdoch was submitted by the Department of Human Services.

 

     Ms. Murdoch earned a Master's degree with honors in European Languages from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and a Bachelor of Arts with honors from the University of Victoria in Canada.  She has previously worked as a Legislative Assistant for Senator Suzanne Chun-Oakland, English Tutor for Hawaii Pacific University, Associate Vice President of Dean Witter Morgan Stanley, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Folies Beargeres, stock broker for E.F. Hutton, and teacher's assistant.

 

     Ms. Murdoch has also served on the Commission on Fatherhood since 2006.  She has been an active volunteer, serving as a Board member for the Honolulu Theater for Youth, Junior League of Honolulu, and St. Francis School for Girls, as a Punahou School class parent, and as a member of the Punahou Parent Faculty Association, the Young Men's Christian Association, and other charitable organizations.  Ms. Murdoch founded the Children's Rights Council of Hawaii in 2002 and served on the Board of Trustees of the national Children's Rights Council in 2004.  Testimony submitted by the Department of Human Services indicates that Ms. Murdoch would contribute valuable knowledge and insight on parenting, children, and accessing community funds and support.

 

     Written testimony presented to the Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services 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 Human Services,

 

 

 

____________________________

SUZANNE CHUN OAKLAND, Chair