STAND. COM. REP. NO. 484

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 626, 627, 628

 

 

 

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 626, 627, and 628, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

State Rehabilitation Council

 

G.M. No. 626

FRANCINE KENYON,

for a term to expire 6-30-2016;

 

G.M. No. 627

GRETCHEN LAWSON,

for a term to expire 6-30-2015; and

 

G.M. No. 628

ROBERT WALL,

for a term to expire 6-30-2016,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal histories and statements submitted by the nominees and finds Francine Kenyon, Gretchen Lawson, and Robert Wall to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the State Rehabilitation Council.

 

FRANCINE KENYON

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Francine Kenyon from the Department of Human Services, Disability and Communication Access Board, and three individuals.

 

     Ms. Kenyon currently works as a Recreation Assistant in the City and County of Honolulu Parks and Recreation Therapeutic Unit, which fosters independence and encourages full participation of children, youth, and adults with disabilities in recreational activities and programs.  She also served as Coordinator of the Hawaii State Coordinating Council on Deafness.  She is currently a member of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Advisory Board and serves as their Legislative Chairperson.

 

     Ms. Kenyon indicated in her personal statement that she hopes to enhance better vocational rehabilitation services for those who are deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind in order for them to be financially and socially independent.  With over forty years of advocacy and education related to deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind issues, Ms. Kenyon continues to seek out opportunities to serve her peers with disabilities.

 

     Your Committee finds that Ms. Kenyon's experiences with the Hawaii State Coordinating Council on Deafness and Deaf and Hard of Hearing Advisory Board, as well as her continuing commitment to issues relating to the deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind, will be great assets to the Council.

 

GRETCHEN LAWSON

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Gretchen Lawson from the Department of Human Services.

 

     Ms. Lawson is the current Chair of the State Rehabilitation Council and has been a strong participant during her first three year term.  She is active in the County of Hawaii as a professional in the field of vocational rehabilitation as the Executive Director of the ARC of Kona, an organization that provides employment services for people with disabilities.  She also brings valuable insight to the Council and represents community rehabilitation service providers and the County of Hawaii on the Council.

 

     Ms. Lawson has over eighteen years of experience in Hawaii as a service provider and contractor working with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.  She also has educational credentials in Speech Pathology, Audiology, and Education.

 

     Ms. Lawson indicated in her personal statement that she hopes to lead the Council to greater involvement as a partner in ensuring quality service delivery to the Council's target population.

 

     Your Committee finds that Ms. Lawson's past experiences as Chair of the Council, as well as her continuing commitment to issues relating to vocational rehabilitation, will be great assets to the Council.

 

ROBERT WALL

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Robert Wall from the Department of Human Services, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, and one individual.

 

     Mr. Wall is currently the Legislative Advocate for the Community Alliance for Mental Health, an organization that he helped establish.  He has also worked with the Health Homes State Plan Options Collaborative, Hawaii Disability Rights Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Mental Illness Council, and Board of Directors with Mental Health America of Hawaii.

 

     Mr. Wall indicated in his personal statement that he has accumulated a clear understanding of the goals and processes of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and has a good working relationship with the Health and Human Services Committees for the State House and Senate.

 

     Your Committee finds that Mr. Wall's personal and professional experience with people with disabilities, as well as his continuing commitment to issues relating to people with disabilities and homelessness, will be great assets to the Council.

 

     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