STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1925

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 573, 574

 

 

 

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 573 and 574, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

State Council on Developmental Disabilities

 

G.M. No. 573

JOE D. CORDOVA,

for a term to expire 6-30-2011; and

 

G.M. No. 574

ROSELANI MANUWAI-ROWE,

for a term to expire 6-30-2011,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by the nominees, and finds Joe D. Cordova and Roselani Manuwai-Rowe to have the necessary qualifications to be nominated to the State Council on Developmental Disabilities.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of Mr. Cordova's nomination from the Department of Health, Department of Human Services, State Council on Developmental Disabilities, three individuals from Vocational Rehabilitation Services For the Blind, two individuals representing the State Rehabilitation Council, the University of Hawaii at Manoa, Family Voices of Hawaii, Hoopono Services for the Blind, Lanakila Rehabilitation Center, and Hire Abilities-Hawaii.

 

     Mr. Cordova holds a Master of Arts in Guidance and Counseling from the University of New Mexico and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from New Mexico State University.  He is the administrator of the Vocational Rehabilitation and Services for the Blind Division of the Hawaii Department of Human Services.  His past work experience includes serving as a Regional Commissioner for Region V (Kansas City) and VII (Chicago), and the Director of the Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired for the Rehabilitation Services Administration, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, United States Department of Education; Deputy Director of the New Mexico Commission for the Blind; Special Advisor to the Mayor of the City of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Liaison for Disability Affairs; a mental health counselor; and a computer programmer analyst.

 

     Mr. Cordova's professional organization memberships include the Governor's Committee on Concerns of the Handicapped, for which he served as Chair; Mayor's Commission for the Handicapped (Albuquerque), board member; Advisory Board to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, Albuquerque Public Schools; P.L. 94-142 Advisory Committee, Albuquerque Public Schools; State Independent Living Council, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation; and 504 Self Evaluating Committee, Department of Human Services.

 

     Based on his experience and training, and his position in the Department of Human Services, your Committee finds Mr. Cordova to be qualified to serve as a state agency representative on the State Council on Developmental Disabilities.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of Mrs. Manuwai-Rowe's nomination from the State Council on Developmental Disabilities and Family Voices of Hawaii.

 

     Mrs. Manuwai-Rowe is a licensed pastor with the Northwest International Church of the Foursquare Gospel.  She has extensive experience with special education and learning disability issues, most recently as a parent Consultant for the Learning Disabilities Association of Hawaii and as the Poohala Family Support Council Project Coordinator for State Planning on Developmental Disabilities Council.  Additionally, Mrs. Manuwai-Rowe has first hand experience with caring for individuals with developmental and learning disabilities.  Her brother, for whom she provided care to for thirteen years, had Down Syndrome.  She also has two daughters with learning disabilities.  Mrs. Manuwai-Rowe has been active in their lives, advocating for their needs while navigating through the various state systems.

     Based on her personal and professional experiences, your Committee finds Mrs. Manuwai-Rowe to be qualified to serve as a family member representative for Oahu on the State Council on Developmental Disabilities.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on 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 Health,

 

 

 

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair