STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1506

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 523, 524

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 523 and 524, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

State Rehabilitation Council

G.M. No. 523	NORITA DE LIMA, for a term to expire 6-30-2012; and
G.M. No. 524	GRETCHEN LAWSON, for a term to expire 6-30-2012,

begs leave to report as follows:

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by the nominees, and finds Norita De Lima and Gretchen Lawson to have the necessary qualifications to be nominated to the State Rehabilitation Council.

     Testimony in support of the nomination of Norita De Lima was submitted by the Department of Human Services.

     Ms. De Lima received her Clerical Certificate from Hawaii Community College and her Office Training Certification from Maui Community College.  She presently serves as Chairperson for the Maui County Commission on Persons with Disabilities.  Ms. De Lima satisfies the requirements that one member be a current or former recipient of vocational rehabilitation services and a representative of the County of Maui. 

     Ms. De Lima is an active volunteer in Maui County and participates in many of the community's rehabilitation programs that aid in the employment of persons with disabilities.  She will provide both a community and personal prospective for the State Rehabilitation Council.  Ms. De Lima is a Disability Advocate for Christ the King Church, Disability Awareness and Safety Officer for Robert's Transportation, Senior Volunteer at Hale Mahaolu, Volunteer Greeter at Maui County Information Center, and a Volunteer Clerk for Kaunoa Senior Center.

     Testimony in support of the nomination of Gretchen Lawson was submitted by the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations and the Department of Human Services.

     Ms. Lawson received her Bachelor's degree in Literature and Drama from the University of Washington, her Bachelor's degree in Speech and Communications with a teaching certificate from Western Washington University, and has completed graduate coursework in Education at Central Washington University.  She is presently employed as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Arc of Kona/Kona Krafts.  Ms. Lawson satisfies the requirements that one member be a representative of community rehabilitation program service providers and a representative of the County of Hawaii.

     Ms. Lawson is a tireless educator for employers and the larger community on the virtues of hiring and retaining persons with disabilities, and an advocate for self-sufficiency.  She has extensive experience writing proposals to fund education and vocational rehabilitation programs, including proposals involving the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development Section 8 Housing, Community Service Block Grants, the Job Training and Partnership Act, and Vocational Rehabilitation.  Ms. Lawson has experience in management, budget analysis, and compliance standards for federal and state contracts.  She is an experienced public speaker, and accomplished group facilitator.  Her technical knowledge and ability to work with key stakeholders will make her an asset for the State Rehabilitation Council.

     Written testimony presented to your Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

     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, 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.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Human Services,

____________________________

SUZANNE CHUN OAKLAND, Chair