TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) -- Gov. Sam Brownback has established a special panel to highlight and promote charitable work by Kansans throughout the state, the nation and the world.

Brownback announced creation of the Kansas Humanitarian Commission on Tuesday. The panel will be chaired by Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer and Ashleigh Black, who will choose the other seven members.

Colyer is a plastic surgeon and has volunteered to aid victims of violence in several war zones around the world. Black is the associate director of the Center for Global Health at George Washington University in Washington, D.C.

The commission will develop a nominating process for the Kansas Governor's Humanitarian of the Year awards, which will be presented each fall.