STAND. COM. REP. NO. 997

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 540

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 540, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

 

Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology

 

G.M. No. 540

ERIN FIRMIN,

for a term to expire 06-30-2022,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee reviewed the personal history, resume, and statement submitted by Erin Firmin for service on the Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Erin Firmin from the Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology, Department of Education, and one individual.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Firmin's background, experience, and dedication to public service qualify her for appointment to the Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology as a licensee member.  Your Committee notes that Ms. Firmin has worked as a speech-language pathologist in schools for over twenty years and has been a licensed speech pathologist in Hawaii since 2011.  Ms. Firmin is currently employed by the Department of Education as a speech-language pathologist, and prior to that, worked as a speech-language pathologist with the San Diego Unified School District.  Ms. Firmin is an active member in a number of professional and community organizations, including the Hawaii Association of Behavior Analysis and American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, and has held various chair positions with the Hawaii Speech-Language-Hearing Association.  Your Committee further notes that Ms. Firmin has served as an interim member of the Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology since September 2020 and was recently confirmed as the Board's chairperson.  Ms. Firmin's experience and knowledge will continue to be assets to the Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Ms. Firmin be appointed to the Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology based on her experience, knowledge, and commitment to public service.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee, after full consideration of the background, experience, and qualifications of the nominee, has found the nominee to be qualified for the position to which nominated and recommends that the Senate advise and consent to the nomination.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection,

 

 

 

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair