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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Hello All,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Please contact Senator Ben Cardin and Senator Barbara Mikulski today or tomorrow and ask them to vote in favor of the </span>Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities treaty. The switchboard number is 202-225-3121. Read Jesse Hartle’s note bellow for more details. Since the Senate may take action next week, it is important to make these calls. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Thanks for your help,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Sharon Maneki <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b>From:</b> Nfb-legislative-directors [mailto:nfb-legislative-directors-bounces@nfbnet.org] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Hartle, Jesse via Nfb-legislative-directors<br><b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, July 23, 2014 3:44 PM<br><b>To:</b> nfb-legislative-directors@nfbnet.org<br><b>Subject:</b> [Nfb-legislative-directors] Update on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities<o:p></o:p></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Good Afternoon to you All,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> I am writing to let you know about the latest action on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, (CRPD). The CRPD advances the non-descrimination principles contained in the American’s with Disabilities Act on the world stage. Yesterday, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee held a business meeting to mark up the treaty for floor action. Many opponents of this treaty have said that it will jeopardize American sovereignty, and that it will threaten the rights of parents of disabled children to home school these children. During the business meeting Senator Barrasso, Republican from Wyoming, offered amendments to address these issues. Both of the Senators amendments were adopted, and are now part of the treaty package. The Committee then voted to move the treaty out of committee by a vote of 12-6. Many believe that a floor vote may come as early as next week. As you know a treaty requires an affirmative vote from two-thirds of the members voting to be ratified. We must contact every Senate office, and urge them to support the treaty. You can be connected to your Senator’s offices by calling the capitol switch-board at 202-225-3121. Please circulate this email to your affiliates. Please let me know if you have any questions, and I will do my best to answer them. #Participate Actively. Jesse <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Jesse Hartle</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>National Federation of the Blind</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Government Programs Specialist</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Phone: 410-659-9314, Ext. 2233</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Email: <a href="mailto:jhartle@nfb.org">jhartle@nfb.org</a></span><o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>