STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1322

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 591, 592, 593, 594

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 591, 592, 593, and 594, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

State Council On Developmental Disabilities

 

G.M. No. 591

BATHEY FONG,

for a term to expire 06-30-2020;

 

G.M. No. 592

CAROL YOUNG,

for a term to expire 06-30-2017;

 

G.M. No. 593

CAROL YOUNG,

for a term to expire 06-30-2021; and

 

G.M. No. 594

RENEE MANFREDI,

for a term to expire 06-30-2020,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by the nominees and finds Bathey Fong, Carol Young, and Renee Manfredi to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the State Council on Developmental Disabilities.

 

BATHEY FONG

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Bathey Fong from the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Disability and Communication Access Board, Lanakila Pacific, and ten individuals.

 

     Ms. Fong is an extremely active community member committed to teaching others how to use their voice and advocate for themselves.  As an individual with a developmental disability, Ms. Fong sees herself as a role model for others to learn how to speak up for themselves and pursue their dreams.  Ms. Fong currently resides in a home operated by the Arc in Hawaii and is learning to live independently in hopes of living on her own in the near future.  Your Committee notes that Ms. Fong is presently contributing to her community and demonstrating leadership in many ways, as a member and past president of the Hawaii Self-Advocacy Advisory Council, member of the Department of Human Services My Choice My Way Advisory Work Group, and volunteer tour guide at Lanakila Pacific.  Ms. Fong is also a recognized trainer in the community for emergency preparedness and disaster training for people with disabilities.  Your Committee finds that Ms. Fong's personal experience, strong commitment to the community, and passion for helping others will be very valuable contributions to the State Council on Developmental Disabilities.

 

CAROL YOUNG

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment and reappointment of Carol Young from the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, and Disability and Communication Access Board.

 

     Ms. Young has many years of experience working with individuals with disabilities, particularly in the areas of vocational rehabilitation and the transition to employment, and she strives to improve services and interagency collaboration that promote improved self-determination for people with disabilities.  Ms. Young is currently employed as an advocate at the Hawaii Disability Rights Center, and she previously worked at the University of Hawaii Center on Disability Studies and the Department of Human Services Vocational Rehabilitation and Services for the Blind Division.  Your Committee notes that Ms. Young has an established history of community involvement, including serving as past chair of the State Council on Mental Health and past member of the Special Education Advisory Council.  Ms. Young is also fluent in American Sign Language and has recently collaborated with the Disability and Communication Access Board to develop tools for the Honolulu Police Department on effective communication with persons who are deaf or hard of hearing.  Your Committee finds that Ms. Young's knowledge, background, and commitment to public service will be assets to the State Council on Developmental Disabilities.

 

RENEE MANFREDI

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Renee Manfredi from the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Hawaii Self-Advocacy Advisory Council, Special Olympics Hawaii, and nine individuals.

 

     Ms. Manfredi is making numerous contributions to her community to ensure that individuals with developmental disabilities receive the compassion and respect they deserve to have a good quality of life.  As someone with a developmental disability, Ms. Manfredi motivates others with disabilities to speak up for themselves by sharing her experiences through public speaking as a Toastmaster and Global Messenger with the Hawaii Special Olympics.  Ms. Manfredi is currently a member of the No Wrong Door Advisory Committee that is working on a statewide initiative to improve access to long term services and supports for individuals with disabilities and chronic conditions.  Your Committee notes that Ms. Manfredi demonstrates leadership in many areas, including her current role as president of the Hawaii Self-Advocacy Advisory Council, through which she represented the Council at the recent 17th annual Day at the Capitol event.  Your Committee finds that Ms. Manfredi's background, advocacy experience, and desire to serve her community will be strong contributions to the State Council on Developmental Disabilities.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and 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 Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health,

 

 

 

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair