STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3272

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 325

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Affordable Housing, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 325, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology

G.M. No. 325

BARRY F. LUTERMAN PHD, for a term to expire 6-30-2011,

begs leave to report as follows:

     Your Committee reviewed the personal history, resume, and statement submitted by the nominee, and finds Barry F. Luterman, Ph.D. to have the necessary qualifications to be nominated to the Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology for a second term.

     Testimony in support of Dr. Luterman's nomination was submitted by the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.

     Dr. Luterman received his Bachelor of Arts in Speech and Hearing from Brooklyn College, his Master of Science in Psychoacoustics and Clinical Audiology from the University of Wisconsin, and his Doctorate degree from the University of Missouri.  Prior to retiring in 2002, Dr. Luterman served as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Speech Pathology and Audiology at the John A. Burns School of Medicine at the University of Hawaii.  Prior to his teaching position at the medical school, Dr. Luterman was employed at the Veterans Administration as a Supervising Audiologist for over twenty-five years.  He is a recipient of a number of awards for his contributions and service to the Veterans Administration and has authored numerous published works.  He is a licensed Audiologist in Hawaii and a member of the American Speech and Hearing Association.

     Dr. Luterman has been nominated to serve a second term on the Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology where his extensive education and experience enables him to evaluate the issues facing the Board objectively, and balance the interests of consumers and licensees.  Of particular note, Dr. Luterman indicated to your Committee that funding is desperately needed to keep the Speech Pathology and Audiology program at the University of Hawaii running.  Currently, the program is on probation and, if the program loses its accreditation, students will be forced to receive their education in speech pathology and audiology outside of the State.  He further indicated that the average career life expectancy for a speech pathologist or audiologist is seven years, due in large part to many of the program's graduates being single females who after marriage and having children decide to focus their careers in other areas outside of speech pathology and audiology.  Thus, the State may face a shortage of speech pathologists and audiologists in the near future.  Dr. Luterman's demonstrated commitment, motivation, education, and experiences will greatly assist the Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Affordable Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee, after full consideration of the background, experience, and qualifications of the nominee, has found the nominee to be qualified for the position to which nominated and recommends that the Senate advise and consent to the nomination.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Affordable Housing,

____________________________

RUSSELL S. KOKUBUN, Chair