STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1319

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 604, 605, 606, 607

 

 

 

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 604, 605, 606, and 607, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology

 

G.M. No. 604

ANNE MARIE HORNER,

for a term to expire 6-30-2014;

 

G.M. No. 605

VALERY E. O'BRIEN,

for a term to expire 6-30-2014;

 

G.M. No. 606

JOSEPH SNIEZEK,

for a term to expire 6-30-2014; and

 

G.M. No. 607

KRISTINE M. TAKEKAWA,

for a term to expire 6-30-2014,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal statements and resumes submitted by Anne Marie Horner, Valery E. O'Brien, and Kristine M. Takekawa and the personal statement and curriculum vitae submitted by Joseph Sniezek and finds these nominees to posses the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for reappointment of Anne Marie Horner from the Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that this nominee is a licensed and practicing speech language pathologist in the Department of Education and has been an active contributor to her profession throughout her career, serving the Hawaii Speech-Language-Hearing Association most recently as Recording Secretary and previously as President.  Your Committee also finds that this nominee actively serves her community as a member of the Aliamanu Elementary School Community Council and Aliamanu Elementary School Parent Teacher Association.  Further, your Committee finds that this nominee has been an active and engaged member in her first term on the Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology.  Your Committee notes that this nominee's knowledge of state licensing requirements and national standards has been valuable to the Board as it reviews its administrative rules.  Your Committee finds that this nominee's first-hand experience as a speech pathologist, familiarity with state and federal regulations, and enthusiasm for service qualify her for reappointment to the Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Valery E. O'Brien from the Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that in addition to maintaining a successful career in marketing and management, this nominee has also served her community through extensive volunteer work with organizations including Easter Seals Hawaii, Special Olympics, Goodwill Industries of Hawaii, Hawaii Services of Deafness, and Girl Scouts of Hawaii as well as service on the Mayor's Advisory Committee on Disabilities and the State Special Education Advisory Council.  Your Committee notes that this nominee is especially well-suited to represent the interests of the public to the Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology since, in addition to sustaining a long-term commitment to disability service organizations and policy boards, this nominee is also the parent of an adult child with disabilities who uses speech pathology and audiology services.  Your Committee also finds that this nominee's connections with the community of consumers within the industry regulated by the Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology and her broad professional experience with management and communications will be an asset to the Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for reappointment of Joseph Sniezek from the Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that this nominee is a leader in the fields of otolaryngology and surgery, with extensive clinical, surgical, and academic credentials.  Your Committee notes that section 468E-6, Hawaii Revised Statutes, mandates that one public member of the Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology be licensed to practice medicine and hold a certification of qualification for the American Board of Otorhinolaryngology.  Your Committee finds that this nominee fulfills that requirement.

 

     In addition to his achievements in the field of oncologic surgery, your Committee finds that this nominee has also served his profession including through service on the Credentials Committee and Planning Committee of the American Head and Neck Society, Tripler Army Medical Center Ethics Committee, Head and Neck Education Committee of the American Academy of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Board of Directors of the Pan-Pacific Surgical Association, and as Vice President and President of the Hawaii Society of Otolaryngology.  Your Committee further notes that this nominee has practiced throughout his career in the military and Veterans Affairs system, giving him experience with a wide variety of patients and community members.  Your Committee finds that this nominee has contributed exceptional analysis and creative problem-solving skills to the Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology.  Your Committee further finds that this nominee's professional qualifications and commitment to service qualify him to continue to serve with distinction on the Board.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for reappointment of Kristine M. Takekawa from the Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that this nominee has been a licensed and practicing audiologist for more than twenty years.  Your Committee further finds that this nominee has spent her career in the public sector, working through the Department of Health and Department of Education to identify and provide medical and educational services for children with hearing loss or deafness.  Your Committee notes that this nominee for reappointment currently serves as Chair of the Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology and has been a diligent member of the Board since her initial appointment in 2008.  Your Committee also finds that this nominee brings knowledge gained through first-hand experience and generous contribution of her own time to the Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology and is therefore well-qualified to continue her exemplary service.

 

     Your Committee finds that Valery E. O'Brien has been nominated for appointment and Anne Marie Horner, Joseph Sniezek, and Kristine M. Takekawa have been nominated for reappointment to the Board of Speech and Language Pathologists based on their knowledge, experience, and commitment to public service.

 

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

 

 

 

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair