Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 256, 257, 258, 259, 260, 261, 262, and 264, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee has reviewed the personal histories, résumés, and statements submitted by the nominees, and finds the nominees to have the necessary qualifications to be appointed to the State Rehabilitation Council (Council).

Your Committee received testimony in support of DEBRA T. FARMER from the Hawaii State Board of Education and the Council. Ms. Farmer currently works as an Administrator in the Special Education Section of the Department of Education. She has worked for the Department of Education in various capacities from 1976-1981 and 1988-present. She is a member of the National Secondary Principals Association, the Exceptional Children's Council, the Special Education Advisory Council, and the Maui Mental Health Council. Ms. Farmer was active in her community through her participation with the Cathedral School Board and other church organizational activities.

Your Committee received testimony in support of GERALDINE M. FERGE from the Council. Mrs. Ferge has been gainfully employed for all of her adult life in the administrative and financial areas of the construction industry here in Hawaii. She is currently employed by Central Construction Inc. In 1998, she became physically challenged due to a spinal stroke that left her partially paralyzed. Through medical technology and strenuous physical therapy, she now functions independently. As a beneficiary of rehabilitation, she can speak to allowing the physically challenged an opportunity to be productive citizens in the community. Ms. Ferge is active in her community through her participation with the Valley Isle Timing Association.

Your Committee received testimony in support of LARRY GELLER from the Council. Mr. Geller is an advocate for Felix children and for persons with disabilities, and received an interim appointment to the Council in 2004. He currently works as a Public Information Coordinator for the Assistive Technology Resource Centers of Hawaii, and as the Executive Director for the Hawaii Coalition for Health. He was formerly secretary of the Honolulu Community-Media Council. He is a board member of the Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii, and is president of Kokua Council, one of the oldest advocacy organizations in Hawaii.

Your Committee received testimony in support of PRISCILLA B. HAVRE, M.Ed., CRC, from the Council. Ms. Havre is currently working for Ballesteros, Havre & Associates, Inc. as an independent provider of vocational rehabilitation services. She is also a court qualified expert witness in employability assessments. She has been professionally affiliated with the local chapters of the Rehabilitation Association of Hawaii and the Hawaii Rehabilitation Counselors Association since 1980. She was also the Executive Board Vice President of Network Enterprises, Inc., from 1997 to 2003.

Your Committee received testimony in support of KATIE KEIM from the Council. Ms. Keim currently works for the Department of Human Services, Ho'opono Rehabilitation Teacher for the Blind. She is a member of Toastmasters International, Disabled Business Persons Association, National Federation of the Blind National Rehabilitation Division, and secretary of the National Federation of the Blind Hawaii. Ms. Keim is active in her community through her participation in the Honolulu Sunrise Rotary, the Gold Coast Neighborhood Association, and Tropic Seas, Inc.

Your Committee expressed concerns regarding a potential conflict of interest between Ms. Keim's employment with Ho'opono Rehabilitation and serving on the Council. Testimony was submitted by John Nolan, Director of Vocational Rehabilitation and Services, who assured the Committee that should a conflict of interest arise, Ms. Keim would be recused from discussion and decision-making on any such issue.

Your Committee received testimony in support of GAIL LERCH from the Council and one individual. Ms. Lerch currently works as the Vice President of Human Resources at Hawaii Pacific Health where she is responsible for strategy, planning, and management. She holds a bachelor's degree in nursing from Purdue University, and a master's degree in business administration from Hawaii Pacific University. She is active in her community through her participation in Hospice Hawaii, Easter Seals, United Cerebral Palsy, the Hawaii Nurses Association, and the Society of Human Resources National.

Your Committee received testimony in support of JULIE K. SMITH, PhD, from the Council. Ms. Smith currently works as a professor within the Department of Special Education at the University of Hawaii. Her professional memberships include the Council for Exceptional Children in the divisions of behavioral disorders and teacher education, Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development, and Kappa Delta Pi. Her professional service includes serving on ad hoc and standing committees at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

Your Committee received testimony in support of VIRGINIA G. TOMPKINS by the Council. Mrs. Tompkins is currently the Administrator for the Veterans Affairs Geriatrics Rehabilitation Transitional Extended Care Facility at Tripler Medical Center which followed careers as a nurse, teacher, and banker. She has also been appointed the EEO manager for the Veterans Administration Medical Center and Regional Office. Mrs. Tompkins has worked with research projects and vocational rehabilitation programs for veterans both locally and nationally.

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