Women’s Legislative Caucus Dedicates 2012 Legislative Package to Female Veterans

Maui Veteran Chelsea Fernandez Recognized for her Outstanding Work

Maui Senator Roz Baker listens to the inspiring words of Iraq veteran Chelsea Fernandez. (L-R President of Maui Business and Professional Women Isla Young , Senator Roz Baker, and Iraq veteran Chelsea Fernandez)

Honolulu- The Hawaii Women’s Legislative Caucus unveiled their 2012 legislative package on Thursday, January 26, 2012. This year’s series of bills and resolutions are dedicated to women veterans who have served our country abroad, and continue to live at home, despite the many trials they face post-deployment.

Disabled Iraq war veteran, mother, student, entrepreneur, and Maui citizen Chelsea K.E. Fernandez was amongst the women veterans requested to speak before the Caucus for her service and outstanding work in the community on behalf of persons with disabilities.  Fernandez was diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Syndrome Disorder as a result of her service in the U.S. Army Reserve and tour in Iraq.

Following her military service Fernandez continues to serve her community from the private sector. Confronted at a young age with the death of her two-month-old sister, who passed away in part of complications from both physical deformities and Down syndrome, she is fulfilling a dream of serving the disabled community of Maui. The president and co-founder of FernanTech Inc., Fernandez is embarking on a new journey, moving the company in another direction by opening a new branch called Hawaii Assistive Technology Company (HATCO). HATCO’s mission will be to provide our disabled and/or impaired community the chance to live independently by bringing in new technologies to aid the differently-abled in their day-to-day living.

Today we have an unprecedented number of women serving in our arm forces.  These women are amongst the most dedicated and resilient of people, bravely serving their community at home and from afar,” said Senator Roz Baker, who represents District 5, encompassing South and West Maui. “Chelsea Fernandez serves as a role model for all returning veterans. She has persevered through a disability, which confronts many of our heroic men and women in uniform, and continues to serve her country through the private sector. It is important that we ensure that all of our service members, regardless of gender, have access to the appropriate care and services.”

The measures introduced by the caucus cover a broad range of issues, including resolutions in support of the brave work of women veterans. The package also recognizes the Fisher House Foundation, which provides free or low-cost housing to veterans and families receiving treatment at military medical centers.

The Women’s Legislative Caucus is bipartisan and is comprised of the 26 women members of the Senate and House who work together specifically on wide range of issues affecting women in Hawaii.  Caucus members include Senators Roz Baker, Suzanne Chun Oakland, Carol Fukunaga, Michelle Kidani, Donna Mercado Kim, Pohai Ryan, Maile Shimabukuro, Malama Solomon, and Jill Tokuda and Representatives Karen Awana, Della Au Belatti, Rida T.R. Cabanilla, Mele Carroll, Corinne W.L. Ching, Cindy Evans, Faye P. Hanohano, Sharon Har, Linda Ichiyama, Jo Jordan, Marilyn Lee, Sylvia Luke, Barbara Marumoto, Dee Morikawa, Kymberly Marcos Pine, Cynthia Thielen, and Jessical Wooley.

A complete list of the bills and resolutions introduced by the Women’s Legislative Caucus can be found at: http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/report.aspx?type=package&key=12&name=Women%27s+Legislative+Caucus.  In order to be included in the caucus package, each measure must receive a 2/3 vote of the women legislators.