Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health and Human Services, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 233, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

begs leave to report as follows:

Upon review of the testimony and written statements submitted by the nominees, your Committee finds that Andrick C. Tong, Donna M. Buhrman, J. Courtney Fitzsimmons, Randolph C. Hack, Winnifred Aoki, Kevin Kimura, Alisa Mitchener, Charlotte George Smith, Linda Wong, Francine M.L. Kenyon, and Virginia M. Kline have the necessary character, experience, and qualifications to serve on the Statewide Independent Living Council.

Your Committee received oral testimony from the Executive Director of the Statewide Independent Living Council in support of the nominees and a written testimony from a colleague in support of Ms. Francine Kenyon.

Andrick C. Tong holds a Masters Degree in Professional Counseling from Argosy University in Hawaii and has served as a therapist and caseworker with the State of Hawaii and the John Howard Association.

Donna M. Buhrman presently serves on the Council. She holds degrees in Humanities and Nursing from the University of Texas, is retired from teaching and nursing, and has served as a mediator, respite caregiver for schizophrenic children and teens, and a home health care provider for senior citizens.

J. Courtney Fitzsimmons presently serves on the Council as a representative from the Big Island. Mr. Fitzsimmons is a woodscraftsman.

Randolph C. Hack presently serves on the Council. He holds a bachelors degree in Geography from the University of Hawaii. He has served as Executive Director of United Self-Help Hawaii and as a substitute teacher in the public schools.

Winnifred Aoki holds two degrees in education from the University of Hawaii. She is a retired Department of Education teacher, and a volunteer teachers aide and volunteer with Senior Net at Honolulu Community College.

Kevin Kimura holds a law degree from the University of Hawaii and serves as a staff attorney with the Volunteer Legal Services of Hawaii and served as a volunteer with Americorps.

Alisa Mitchener holds a bachelors degree in Fine Arts from the University of Hawaii and is presently working as a special education teacher with the Department of Education. She has served on the Mayor's Committee on People with Disabilities and as a program specialist with the State Planning Council on Developmental Disabilities.

Charlotte George Smith holds degrees in zoology and physiology from the University of Illinois and was employed with the NASA-Johnson Space Center in Houston Texas. She has served on the Maui Mayor's Committee on Persons with Disabilities as a founding member and as the Chair.

Linda Wong presently serves on the Council and holds degrees from the University of Hawaii and Kapiolani Community College. She has worked as a School Food Services Manager with the Department of Education and as a volunteer with the Pacific Head Injury Association.

Francine M.L. Kenyon holds degrees from Wesley Theological Seminary and Gallaudet University in Washington D.C. She is employed with the University of Hawaii and has served as a volunteer with the Deaf Interfaith Committee, Clergy with Physical Disabilities, and the Aloha State Association of the Deaf.

Virginia M. Kline holds a degree in business administration from Lake Forest College and is employed with the Pacific Aerospace Museum. She has also served as an Iolani Palace volunteer.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health and Human Services that is 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.