[Iabs-talk] URGENT REQUEST!!!

Fri Feb 6 17:47:06 UTC 2009

I just sent the following to both of our senators:

Dear Senator:
Urgent request! Save VR dollars in stimulus package.

The recent Collins-Nelson amendment would strip the stimulus package of the 
$500 million which was to be included to support Vocational Rehabilitation 
programs. These programs are crucial to the independence of the disabled in 
Illinois. I ask you to oppose the amendment for that reason.

Please feel free to contact me personally with questions or concerns.

Patti Gregory-Chang
President, National Federation of the Blind of Illinois
pattichang at att.net
www.nfbofillinois.org
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Scott C. LaBarre" <slabarre at labarrelaw.com>
To: "NFB Affiliate Presidents List" <nfbaffiliatepresidents at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, February 06, 2009 11:13 AM
Subject: [NFBAffiliatePresidents] Fw: URGENT REQUEST!!!

Please see the below message from Kevan and call your Senators.  I know we 
are about to go to DC but this needs immediate attention.  As usual, the 
needs of the disabled are getting thrown under the bus, assuming there might 
be some funding for the bus.

   Scott C. LaBarre, Esq.

LaBarre Law Offices P.C.
1660 South Albion Street, Ste. 918
Denver, Colorado 80222
303 504-5979 (voice)
303 757-3640 (fax)
slabarre at labarrelaw.com (e-mail)
www.labarrelaw.com (website)

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This message may contain confidential and privileged 
information. If you are not the designated recipient, you may not read, 
copy, distribute or retain this message. If you received this message in 
error, please notify the sender at 303) 504-5979 or slabarre at labarrelaw.com, 
and destroy and delete it from your system. This message and any attachments 
are covered by the Electronic
Communications Privacy Act, 18 U.S.C. §§ 2510-2521.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: Kevan Worley
To: 'Nancy Smith' ; 'Ken Schmidt' ; 'Jody Fitzsimmons' ; 'Joel Pavelis' ; 
'Tim Poole' ; dan.whalen at state.co.us ; 'Scott Labarre' ; 'Vendor Talk 
Mailing List' ; al at a1foodservice.com ; crazyog at peoplepc.com ; DhrrJo at aol.com 
; done.hudson at att.net ; hickey3131 at comcast.net ; hnlhoover at acsol.net ; 
jackriley07 at hotmail.com ; Jdmakers at aol.com ; jjfreivald at comast.net ; 
kevanworley at blindmerchants.org ; pdolphins at hotmail.com ; 
ppichardo at adelphia.net ; rick_penny59 at msn.com ; rotweilers2007 at comcast.net ; 
srightsell at juno.com ; stevedmasters at aol.com ; tattoad at msn.com ; 
vendcrew at msn.com ; wsclinton at peakpeak.com ; 'Al Falligan' ; 'Dave Merritt' ; 
Gene Fleeman ; HackneyCharles at aol.com ; Jeremiah Wells ; Jim Farley ; 'Joe 
Shaw' ; John Fritz (Wisconsin) ; Lorraine Magnessun ; 'Mary Hayes' ; Ray 
Marshall ; robinsond5 at michigan.gov ; Sharon Kingsbury ; suncat0 at gmail.com ; 
Art Stevenson ; 'Charles & Betty Allen' ; 'Debra Smith' ; Harold Wilson ; 
Jpj1955 at aol.com ; 'Kim Williams' ; 'Lynn Reynolds' ; 'Nick Gacos' ; Pamela 
Schnurr ; 'Sharon Paris' ; 'Sharon Paris' ; 'Virgil Stinnett'
Sent: Friday, February 06, 2009 9:25 AM
Subject: URGENT REQUEST!!!

Urgent request! Save VR dollars in stimulus package. Here is the latest 
alert. The Collins-Nelson amendment of late last night would strip the 
stimulus package of the $500 million which was to be included to support Voc 
Rehab programs. Please call your United States senators! Call their local 
office if you can't get through to the local office. The economic stimulus 
package should morally include the building of job opportunities and full 
inclusion of the blind and persons with disabilities. Please tell your 
senators to oppose the Collins-Nelson amendment.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Catriona Macdonald [mailto:cmacdonald at linchpinstrategies.com]
Sent: Friday, February 06, 2009 7:44 AM
To: Catriona Macdonald
Subject: ALERT: SENATE AMENDMENT CUTS VR FUNDS

February 5, 2009 - PLEASE READ, CALL, AND FORWARD

Last night, moderate Senators (Democratic and Republican) negotiated an 
amendment to the economic recovery legislation that may be considered today. 
The amendment eliminates the $500 million in funds for State Vocational 
Rehabilitation Grants.

Anyone who cares about the availability of this funding to prevent use of 
Randolph-Sheppard set-aside funds to close budget gaps should call their 
Senators' offices TODAY.

The Senate Operator's line has been very busy and difficult to get through. 
If you want to try, the number is 202-224-3121.

You can look up direct phone numbers for the Washington DC or local offices 
at the following website:
www.Senate.gov
You may have more luck getting through to the district office than to the DC 
office, though the staff who will advise Senators how to vote on the 
amendment are located in DC.  As a constituent, you can also send emails 
from the Senators' websites.

Please call both Senate offices TODAY.  If you have already called, call 
again.  Leave the following message with the receptionist who answer the 
phone:
- your name
- the town where you live
- "I am calling to urge my Senator to vote no on the Nelson-Collins 
amendment that eliminates the $500 million for vocational rehabilitation 
state grants."

Catriona Macdonald

President

Linchpin Strategies, LLC

700 12th St. NW, Suite 700

Washington, DC 20005

866-443-0998 MAIN

202-345-3334 MOBILE

202-478-2086 FAX

CMacdonald at LinchpinStrategies.com

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