Saint Paul -- Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Ms. Sam Jasmine to the Rehabilitation Council for the Blind.

Jasmine, of Maple Grove, is an independent consultant with Access Education, where she teaches Braille and other associated technologies to persons who are visually impaired. She previously held positions at Dayton Hudson in Minneapolis and Marriott Hotels in Bloomington.

Jasmine is the host of Disabled and Proud, a weekly radio show on KFAI-FM. She also serves as Captain of a local Goal Ball team (a Paralympic sport for the blind). Jasmine is a member of the Minnesota Guide Dog Association. Jasmine is reappointed to a Council position for a representative of business, industry, or labor. She will serve a term ending January 1, 2007. Jasmine was first appointed to the Council in 2001.

The Rehabilitation Council for the Blind gives advice and recommendations to State Services for the Blind and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development concerning products and services for the blind. The Council consists of eighteen members appointed by the Governor, as well as an ex-officio member from the State Services for the Blind.