STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3722

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                   

 

RE:     GOV. MSG. NOS. 574, 575, 644

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 574, 575, and 644, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

Disability and Communication Access Board

 

G.M. No. 574

DEAN GEORGIEV,

for a term to expire 06-30-2021;

 

G.M. No. 575

AMY TSUJI-JONES,

for a term to expire 06-30-2019; and

 

G.M. No. 644

PHYLLIS MEIGHEN,

for a term to expire 06-30-2022,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by Dean Georgiev, Amy Tsuji-Jones, and Phyllis Meighen for service on the Disability and Communication Access Board.

 

DEAN GEORGIEV

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Dean Georgiev from the Disability and Communication Access Board and three individuals. 

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Georgiev's background, knowledge, and prior service as a member of the Commission on Persons with Disabilities qualify him to be nominated for appointment to the Disability and Communication Access Board in the capacity of a person with a disability.  Your Committee finds that Mr. Georgiev has been employed for the past ten years by Hoopono Services for the Blind, Department of Human Services, including currently as a Supervisor, and previously as a Rehabilitation Teacher.  Your Committee notes that, as part of his employment, Mr. Georgiev provides instruction to persons who are blind, visually impaired, or deaf-blind in computer technology and develops independent living skills programs for people who are blind or have low vision.  Your Committee notes that Mr. Georgiev's expertise will be a strong resource to the Board as it shifts its focus to cloud-based information access issues. 

 

AMY TSUJI-JONES

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Amy Tsuji-Jones from the Disability and Communications Access Board and two individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Tsuji-Jones's knowledge, background, and expertise qualify her to be nominated for appointment to the Disability and Communication Access Board in the capacity of a person with a disability.  Your Committee notes that Ms. Tsuji-Jones is currently self-employed, teaching American Sign Language (ASL) classes and presenting workshops on Deaf Self-Advocacy Training among other activities.  Your Committee also notes that Ms. Tsuji-Jones previously served as an ASL and Deaf Studies Lecturer at Kapiolani Community College from 1999 to 2016, and has also taught at the Hawaii School for the Deaf and Blind and Kendall Demonstration Elementary School for the Deaf in Washington, D.C.  Your Committee notes that the Board plays a role in testing, credentialing, and regulating ASL interpreters, so Ms. Tsuji-Jones's expertise will be a valuable asset to the Board.  Ms. Tsuji-Jones has also demonstrated her commitment to advocacy for the deaf and hard of hearing community, and has received training to serve as an Abused Deaf Women's Advocacy Services support provider and as a Deaf Self-Advocacy Trainer. 

 

PHYLLIS MEIGHEN

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Phyllis Meighen from the Disability and Communication Access Board, Special Parent Information Network, and two individuals. 

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Dr. Meighen's background, experience, and prior service as an interim member of the Disability and Communication Access Board qualify her to be nominated for reappointment to the Disability and Communication Access Board in the capacity of a family member of an individual with a cognitive or developmental disability, and as a representative from Kauai County.  Your Committee notes that, although retired, Dr. Meighen has served as a pastor, associate pastor, and adjunct lecturer in special education.  As a lecturer in special education, Dr. Meighen helped develop nationally recognized curricula for supporting the transition of youth with developmental disabilities into the workforce and larger community.  Dr. Meighen also founded Winners at Work (now Abilities Unlimited), a nonprofit community-based employment service for people with significant disabilities.  Dr. Meighen has been serving on the Disability and Communication Access Board since 2017 and is currently on the Advisory Committee of the Special Parent Information Network, demonstrating that she understands the role and responsibilities of Board membership.

 

     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