Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred Governor's Messages Nos. 416, 417, 418, 419, 420, and 421, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

begs leave to report as follows:

Upon review of the testimony and statements submitted by the nominees, your Committee finds that Rene Berthiaume, Gene R. Descalzi, Nancy G. Kinghorn, Richard W. Smith, Virginia G. Tompkins, and Barbara J. Ward have the necessary character, experience, and qualifications to serve on the State Rehabilitation Council. The State Rehabilitation Council, established through the 1992 Amendments to the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, acts in an advisory capacity to the Vocational Rehabilitation and Services for the Blind Division on services that address the employment needs of individuals with disabilities.

Testimony in support of Rene Berthiaume was submitted by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture; Institute for Human Services, Inc.; Vietnam Veterans Post 10583; Rehabilitation Assessment & Planning Specialists; and two private citizens.

Testimony in support of Gene R. Descalzi was submitted by two private citizens.

Testimony in support of Nancy G. Kinghorn was submitted by two private citizens.

Testimony in support of Richard W. Smith was submitted by the Department of Human Services; Kalopa Enterprises, Inc.; and one private citizen.

Testimony in support of Virginia G. Tompkins was submitted by four individuals associated with the Veterans Administration Center for Aging, a rehabilitation unit serving Hawaii's veterans, and the Spark M. Matsunaga VA Medical and Regional Office Center; and one private citizen.

Testimony in support of Barbara J. Ward was submitted by the Center for Disability Studies at the University of Hawaii; three individuals associated with the Department of Education; and one private citizen.

Rene Berthiaume is Vice President and Housing Development Specialist of Network Enterprises, Inc., which provides rehabilitation services for individuals with disabilities. He has over thirty years of experience in the areas of human services, construction, and housing, as well as demonstrated expertise developing, funding, and implementing rehabilitation programs for individuals with disabilities. Mr. Berthiaume holds a degree in Rehabilitation Administration Management from the University of San Francisco and is active in numerous professional and community organizations.

Gene R. Descalzi, also known by his radio name, Gene Davis, is the Public Relations Manager at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Hawaii. He has over thirty years of experience in public relations and media, including over two decades as a media professional at radio stations in Hawaii, California, and Osaka, and holds a degree in Communications and Journalism from Chaminade University.

Nancy G. Kinghorn was previously an elementary school teacher; however, she developed macular dystrophy, a visual impairment that has left her legally blind. She continues to be actively involved in her community and currently serves as a volunteer usher at the Hawaii Theatre. She is also a "very focused" and articulate advocate for people with disabilities.

Richard W. Smith currently serves as the chair of the State Rehabilitation Council and is nominated for a second term. He is a small business owner on the island of Hawaii. In addition, he is a member of the State and Local Workforce Development Councils and facilitates the collaboration between the two entities. He is also actively involved in numerous professional, civic, and community organizations. Richard W. Smith exemplifies "unconditional aloha and dedication to others."

Virginia G. Tompkins has served as the Administrative Officer for the Veterans Administration Center for Aging since its opening in 1997, and recently was appointed the Equal Employment Opportunity Manager for the Veterans Administration Medical Center and Regional Office. She has over forty years of experience as a teacher and administrator of vocational rehabilitation services programs, and has extensive knowledge about all aspects of the vocational rehabilitation.

Barbara J. Ward is a Hawaii-licensed Speech/Language Pathologist with over twenty years of experience in Hawaii public schools. She also teaches and supervises graduate students at the Speech & Hearing Clinic at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. She has worked closely with Department of Education's Autism Program to improve services, including vocational assessment and training, for students with disabilities statewide.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on 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.