STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2837

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 204, 205, 206, 207

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2010

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 204, 205, 206, and 207, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

State Council on Developmental Disabilities

G.M. No. 204	JOAN M. BELLARD, for a term to expire 6-30-2014;
G.M. No. 205	ANNEMARIE L. KALAMA, for a term to expire 6-30-2010;
G.M. No. 206	ANNEMARIE L. KALAMA, for a term to expire 6-30-2014; and
G.M. No. 207	JOSEPH CURTIS TYLER III, for a term to expire 6-30-2014,

begs leave to report as follows:

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by the nominees and finds Joan M. Bellard, AnneMarie L. Kalama, and Joseph Curtis Tyler III to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the State Council on Developmental Disabilities.

     Testimony in support of Joan M. Bellard was submitted by the State Council on Developmental Disabilities.  Written testimony presented to the Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

     Joan M. Bellard has extensive experience working in the healthcare field, first at Maui Memorial Medical Center and then at Kaiser Permanente Kahului.  Since her retirement, Ms. Bellard has volunteered with the Special Olympics and the Developmental Disability Committee on Maui. 

     In addition to her other volunteer experience, Ms. Bellard has been a member of the State Council on Developmental Disabilities since 2006 and during her service she has taken an active role on the Council, serving as Chair of the Maui Developmental Disabilities Committee and Co-Chair of the Council's Employment and Education Committee.

     Your Committee finds that Joan M. Bellard's prior experience with the Council and her personal experience as a parent of a disabled child as well as her enthusiasm and dedication to the disabled community have made her a valuable asset to the State Council on Developmental Disabilities.  Your Committee wishes to commend her for her selfless service and applaud her passion and commitment.

     Testimony in support of the nomination of AnneMarie L. Kalama was submitted by the State Council on Developmental Disabilities.  Written testimony presented to the Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

     AnneMarie L. Kalama currently works with the Department of Education Special Education Section as an Educational Specialist.  Throughout her career she has worked in the special education field in a variety of positions, including as the district educational specialist on autism, a special education coordinator, head of a special education department, as a special education consultant, and as a special education teacher. 

     Ms. Kalama has applied her extensive knowledge of special education and special needs children by serving on many community organizations, including Strategies for Teaching Based on Autism Research, Social Thinking, and, most recently, the State Council on Developmental Disabilities.  Since her appointment to the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Ms. Kalama has participated on the Council's Employment and Education Committee.

     Your Committee finds that AnneMarie L. Kalama's vast experience in the special education field has provided and will continue to provide the Council with valuable information about the issues facing children with disabilities, how schools can help, and what is necessary to achieve quality education for disabled children.

     Testimony in support of the nomination of Joseph Curtis Tyler III was submitted by the State Council on Developmental Disabilities.  Written testimony presented to the Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

     Joseph Curtis Tyler III has had an impressive and varied career which includes time spent as a teaching assistant in anthropology, a stint in the Navy, four years as an Aquatics Instructor, several as a realtor, a number of years as the organizer, producer, and director of the ULTRAMAN Endurance Challenge, Chair of the Human Services and Economic Development Committee of the Hawaii County Council and, most recently, Hawaiian Cultural Resource Advisor, and Property Manager and Trustee. As varied as his professional career has been, his volunteer experience is even more diverse, including athletic accomplishments, church activities, and community planning and safety activities. 

     Joseph Curtis Tyler III has already served on the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, having been appointed from 1995-2003.  During that time he served as chair for three years.  Currently Mr. Tyler is the Vice Chair of the Council and Co-Chair of the Community Supports Committee.

     Your Committee recognizes Joseph Curtis Tyler III's previous and current successful service on the Council and believes that he will continue to have much to offer in the future.  His experience as guardian to his disabled brother and his interest in such a wide-ranging array of fields brings a unique perspective of the opportunities and challenges facing the disabled community.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Health 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 Health,

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair