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. 305, 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 Jean L. Johnson, Dr.P.H., Paul S. Vargas Jr., Mark D. Conley, Jean Kiyabu, Thomas G. Nelson, Kiyoko N. Nitz, Ph.D., and David A. Woll have the necessary character, experience, and qualifications to serve on the State Planning Council on Developmental Disabilities.

Your Committee received testimony from the State Planning Council on Developmental Disabilities and the University of Hawai'i Center on Disability Studies in support of the nominees.

Jean L. Johnson, Dr.P.H., holds a Doctorate and Master's degree in Public Health from the University of Hawaii, a Master of Arts from Northwestern University, and a Bachelor in Education from the University of Tennessee. Dr. Johnson is presently with the Center on Disability Studies with the University of Hawaii and has held positions with the government of Guam and the Hawaii Department of Health. She is an active volunteer with the Federal interagency Coordinating Council, the American Speech-language Hearing Association, Easter Seals Hawaii, Project Aware, and Special Education Advisory Board.

Paul S. Vargas, Jr. graduated from Baldwin High School, and is employed with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Mr. Vargas is an active volunteer with the Maui Special Olympics and the Maui Service Area Board for Mental Health.

Mark D. Conley holds a Bachelor's degree in English, and is employed with Ponoholo Ranch Ltd. Mr. Conley is an active volunteer with the Ocean of Potentiality Technology and Science Camp and West Hawaii Special Olympics.

Jean Kiyabu holds a Master's degree in Educational Administration, a Master's degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology, and a Bachelor's degree in Secondary Education, from the University of Hawaii. Ms. Kiyabu is a licensed speech pathologist and has served for over 30 years in various positions with the Department of Education.

Thomas G. Nelson is retired from the construction industry and since 1975 has been a member of Operating Engineers Local 302. Mr. Nelson is an active community volunteer with the East Hawaii Special Olympics, Hawaii County Mayor's Committee on People with Disabilities, and parent advocate for children with developmental disabilities.

Kiyoko N. Nitz, Ph.D. holds Doctorate and Master's degrees in Political Science from Michigan State University, and a Bachelor's degree in Social Science from International Christian University in Tokyo Japan. Dr. Nitz is presently a Research Statistician with the Executive Office on Aging and has served as an instructor and research associate with Honolulu Community College. She is a member of the Gerontological Society of America, the American Society on Aging, and the American Political Science Association.

David A. Woll holds a Master's in Business Administration from the University of Hawaii and a Bachelor's degree in Economics from the University of Pittsburgh. Mr. Woll is presently employed in data processing and systems development with Hawaiian Electric Company. He is an active community volunteer with the American Youth Soccer Organization and the Junior Achievement program at Kaimuki High School.

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.