Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health and Human Services, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 304, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

begs leave to report as follows:

Upon review of the statements submitted by the nominees, your Committee finds that each of the nominees has the necessary character, experience, and qualifications to serve on the State Planning Council on Developmental Disabilities (Council).

Your Committee notes the following background and qualifications of each of the nominees.

Ann Collins has lived in Hawaii for the past twelve years. She attended the Boston Latin School and the University of Massachusetts. Since 1995, Ms. Collins has worked for the Hawaii Disability Rights Center.

Oralie Delgado Carter is the Associate Director for SECOH, a position she has held since 1996. Ms. Carter has lived in Hawaii for the past twenty-two years and received her Bachelor of Social Science degree from Hawaii Pacific University in 1985. She is actively involved with numerous professional and community service organizations.

Kiyoko K. Nitz, Ph.D., received her Master of Arts and Ph.D. degrees in Political Science from Michigan State University. Since 1996, she has worked as a Research Statistician with the Executive Office on Aging and prior to that time she worked as an Evaluation Analyst with the same office. Ms. Nitz is also actively involved with numerous professional and community service organizations.

Thomas G. Nelson has been a member of the Operating Engineers Local 302 & 3 since 1975. He is involved with many professional organizations that deal with developmental disability issues.

Paul K. Higa served in the United States Army, where he was educated at the Medical Field Service School. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Maryland. Since June, 2000, he has served as the Acting Program Policy Development Administrator for the Department of Human Services, Med-QUEST Division.

Cindy Ogata has an extensive background in teaching and counseling children at the intermediate and high school levels. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition from the University of Hawaii in 1981. Ms. Ogata also earned her teaching and counseling certificates from the University of Hawaii.

Lani L. Bartholomew has knowledge of the issues facing the developmentally disabled and will contribute greatly to the work of the Council.

Patricia Heu, M.D., M.P.H., is a licensed physician in the State of Hawaii. She earned her Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of California at San Francisco in 1976, and she has also studied at the University of Hawaii in the Department of Pharmacology and the School of Public Health. Dr. Heu has extensive professional experience working with special needs children, and will be an invaluable asset to the Council.

Mark Yasuo Yabui currently works for the Healthy Start program under the Department of Health. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Hawaii Pacific University. Mr. Yabui also serves on the State Rehabilitation Council.

Mark F. Romoser currently works as Research Director for Pacific Telemedicine, Inc., in Honolulu. He was educated at Yale University, where he graduated cum laude with a degree in Psychology in 1985. Mr. Romoser's professional experience since that time makes him well qualified to serve on the Council.

Your Committee finds that the nominees have been appointed based upon their credentials, integrity, and a desire to improve services for persons with developmental disabilities through their participation on the Council.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health and Human Services that are attached to this report, your Committee, after full consideration of the background, character, 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.