STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3566

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 457

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. 457, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology

G.M. No. 457

JOSEPH C. SNIEZEK MD, FACS, 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 Joseph C. Sniezek, M.D., F.A.C.S., to have the necessary qualifications to be nominated to the Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology.

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

     Dr. Sniezek received his Bachelor in Science in Chemistry from the United States Military Academy at West Point, and his Doctor of Medicine from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.  He currently serves as Chief of Head and Neck Surgery and as a Residency Program Director in Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery at Veterans Affairs Medical Center at Tripler Army Medical Center.  He also serves as an Associate Clinical Professor for the Department of Surgery at the John A. Burns School of Medicine at the University of Hawaii.

     Dr. Sniezek is a member of and has served leadership roles on several professional societies, including the Triological Society, the American Head and Neck Society, the Society of Otolaryngologists, the American College of Surgeons, and the Hawaii Society of Otolaryngology, to name a few.  He has received several grants and awards for his work in neck and head surgery and has authored numerous publications.

     Dr. Sniezek is a licensed doctor in Hawaii and possesses the qualifications, background, and experience to contribute to the Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology in a positive and constructive manner.  As an otolaryngologist, he is familiar with the role that speech pathologists play in treating patients as he works closely with them and considers them a vital complement to this work.  Dr. Sniezek's demonstrated commitment, motivation, education, and professional 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