[Blindtlk] Fwd: National Federation of the Blind Urges Congress to Reject Commercializing Rest Stops

[David Andrews]

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>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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>CONTACT:
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>Chris Danielsen
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>Director of Public Relations
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>National Federation of the Blind
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>(410) 659-9314, extension 2330
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>(410) 262-1281 (Cell)
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><mailto:Cdanielsen at nfb.org>Cdanielsen at nfb.org
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>National Federation of the Blind Urges Congress
>to Reject Commercializing Rest Stops
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>Transportation Bill Amendment Threatens Livelihood of Hundreds of 
>Blind Entrepreneurs
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>Baltimore, Maryland (February 14, 2012): The 
><http://www.nfb.org/>National Federation of the Blind, the oldest 
>and largest nationwide organization of blind Americans, today urged 
>the United States Congress to reject an amendment to the proposed 
>American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act of 2012 (H.R. 7) that 
>would allow the commercialization of highway rest stops.  Currently, 
>the only commercial activity permitted at such rest stops is the 
>operation of vending machines by blind entrepreneurs under the 
>Randolph-Sheppard Act.
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>Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, 
>said: "This amendment would threaten the livelihoods of hundreds of 
>blind entrepreneurs in the <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = 
>"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />United States who 
>depend on revenue from rest stop vending machines.  With an 
>unemployment rate among blind Americans that exceeds 70 percent, 
>such a move is deeply irresponsible, as these entrepreneurs will 
>lose their businesses and be forced to rely on public 
>assistance.  We urge Congress to reject this ill-considered and 
>reckless proposal."
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>The amendment, #217, has been put forward by Congressmen Steve 
>LaTourette (R-OH), Steve Stivers (R-OH), and Dennis Kucinich 
>(D-OH).  The House Committee on Rules is expected to vote later 
>today on whether to allow the amendment.
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>About the National Federation of the Blind
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>With more than 50,000 members, the National Federation of the Blind 
>is the largest and most influential membership organization of blind 
>people in the United States. The NFB improves blind people's lives 
>through advocacy, education, research, technology, and programs 
>encouraging independence and self-confidence. It is the leading 
>force in the blindness field today and the voice of the nation's 
>blind. In January 2004 the NFB opened the National Federation of the 
>Blind Jernigan Institute, the first research and training center in 
>the United States for the blind led by the blind.