Representative Chang has served the residents of South Hilo, Waiakea Kai, Kaumana, and Keaukaha for over 22 years.  As a senior member of the Hawaii House, Jerry has considerable experience in the State's visitor industry after serving as the Chair and Vice Chair of the House Tourism Committee from 1992 through 2007. As the Tourism Chair, Representative Chang has managed a wide range of significant visitor industry issues such as the management and administration of the Hawaii Convention Center, the State's national and international visitor marketing and promotion program, the establishment of the Hawaii Convention Center Authority, and the expanding market of visitors from the Far East.
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Jerry served in the US Army 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) as a Sergeant E-5 Medical Specialist during the Viet Nam conflict
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Representative Chang is a graduate of Hilo High School, and holds an Associate of Arts degree from Mauna Olu College, and a BA in Sociology from the University of Hawaii at Hilo.  He is also a graduate of the Realtors Institute.