Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – The Legislative Reference Bureau's Public Access Room (PAR) will soon be getting a new leader.
Virginia Beck, who has served admirably as the Legislative Reference Bureau's long-time Public Access Room Coordinator will retire effective May 31, 2024. Virginia worked as a session hire in PAR for two legislative sessions, became a permanent PAR staff member in 2007, and became the PAR Coordinator in 2015.
Under Virginia's leadership, PAR has achieved a high level of productivity and professionalism, with responsive and knowledgeable staff providing resources and services to enhance public participation in the legislative process. She led the effort to redesign the Public Access Room's website, which received national recognition as an Outstanding Website by the Web Marketing Association in 2020. Virginia smoothly guided PAR through the COVID-19 pandemic, responding to the challenges presented by working with her staff to develop numerous online workshops and making other resources available on PAR's website.
"The Senate and the House of Representatives profoundly appreciates Virginia for her many years of public service, tireless dedication, patience, perseverance, enthusiasm, wisdom, warmth, and grace, and will be eternally grateful that public servants like Virginia exist," said Senate President Ronald D. Kouchi (District 8, Kaua'i, Ni'ihau) and House Speaker Scott K. Saiki (D-25, Ala Moana, Kaka‘ako, Downtown). "While we know that the Legislature and the citizens of Hawai‘i will miss Virginia greatly, we are also confident that others will step up to continue the path she has paved to connect the public with the State's legislative process and ensuring accessibility for all."
Succeeding Virginia Beck will be Andrea (Andy) Langhurst Eickholt, who has joined PAR for the last two legislative sessions. Andy brings over 15 years of experience managing information resources, people, and budgets as an academic and research librarian at institutions including Eastern Washington University, the University of Notre Dame, and for the research arm of General Electric. She's been a quick learner and is gratified to know that Assistant Coordinator Keanu Young, with his wealth of experience, will be continuing in his role.
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