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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoPlainText>Fellow Federationists,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Please read the below message from Gabe Cazares and pick up the phone and take care of this quickly. We need the implementing legislation for Marrakesh now. Thank you.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>The House of Representatives is scheduled to adjourn this week for the August recess. However, before the final gavel drops, house leadership needs to hear from us regarding the Marrakesh Treaty Implementation Act (S. 2559).<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Please call House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI 01) and Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA 23) today and urge them to Place the Marrakesh Implementation Act on the Suspension Calendar before adjourning this week. You can reach Speaker Ryan's office at (202) 225-0600, and Majority Leader McCarthy's office at (202) 225-4000. I have included a sample script below for your convenience:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Hello, my name is ___, and I am calling to urge the Speaker/Majority Leader to place the Marrakesh Treaty Implementation Act (S. 2559) on the Suspension Calendar this week. The Marrakesh Treaty and its implementing legislation were passed unanimously by the US Senate on June 28, 2018. This treaty will expand access to information for thousands of blind Americans like me here at home and around the world.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Thank you for all of your hard work to get the Marrakesh Treaty Implementation Act across the finish line!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Sharon Maneki, </span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>President<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal>National Federation of the Blind of Maryland<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>410-715-9596<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back</span>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>