For Immediate Release
November 19, 2007
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Earll: Three Local Residents Appointed

Giambrone, Hertzog and Jobes to serve on Governor's Advisory Committee.

Harrisburg – On November 21, 2006, with Executive Order 2006-09, Governor Ed Rendell created both a Cabinet and an Advisory Committee on People with Disabilities to address Commonwealth programs and services, as well as employment, housing and educational opportunities.  Fragmentation across various state agencies serving these Pennsylvanians necessitated better coordination among all the partners. 

In addition to the Secretaries of Public Welfare, Labor & Industry, Health, Education, Transportation, Aging, Policy/Planning and the Budget, the Chair of the Human Relations Commission and the Directors of the Offices of Housing/Community Revitalization and Health Care Reform, a new Office for People with Disabilities, the Developmental Disabilities Council and the Long Term Living Council will make up the Cabinet for Persons with Disabilities.   

Advising the Cabinet are Pennsylvania consumers or families, as well as staff of organizations serving persons with disabilities.  Although there is no required complement or geographic distribution, the Northwest Region is fortunate to have three local residents on the Advisory Committee:  

Charles J. "Chuck" Giambrone of Erie is a long-time advocate and has worked in the field of physical disability services, both in a regional agency setting and as a consultant.  Kathy A. Hertzog, also of Erie, has been a vocal proponent of improved services, and helped to found Voices for Independence, as well as consulting independently.  Judith E. "Judy" Jobes of Erie works on behalf of persons with blindness and visual impairments.  Upon her retirement from full-time private employment, she created the first multi-state summit on Braille education, employment and training options for blind students and their families in Erie last summer.  All three of these well-known individuals have already participated for many years on statewide boards and commissions, and bring to the new committee a wealth of educational and practical experience in the areas the Cabinet will need to review.  I congratulate Chuck, Kathy and Judy on their appointments and offer my gratitude for their willingness to serve.

CONTACT:

Senator Earll's Erie office
(814) 453-2515