[Nfbk] FW: National Federation of the Blind Urges Congress to Reject Commercializing Rest Stops

[Cathy]

-----Original Message-----
From: Freeh, Jessica [mailto:JFreeh at nfb.org]
Sent: Tuesday, February 14, 2012 11:13 AM
To: Alpidio Rolon; Amy Buresh; Art Schreiber; Beth Rival; Bill Packee; Bob
Kresmer; Carl Jacobsen; Cassandra McNabb; Cathy Jackson; Charlene Smyth;
Christine G. Hall; Dan Hicks; Daniel Burke; Donna Wood; Duane Iverson; Elsie
Dickerson; Frank Lee; Franklin Shiner; Fred Schroeder; Garrick Scott; Gary
Ray; Gary Wunder; Grace Pires; J.W. Smith; James Antonacci; Jeannie Massay;
Jennifer Dunnam; Joe Ruffalo; John Batron; John Fritz; Joy Harris; Joyce
Scanlan; Ken Rollman; Kim Williams; Kimberly Flores; Larry Posont; Lynn
Majewski; Mary Willows; Melissa Riccobono; Michael Barber; Michael Freeman;
Mika Pyyhkala; Nani Fife; Pam Allen; Parnell Diggs; Patti Chang; Patty
Estes; Rena Smith; Ron Brown; Gardner, Ron; Sam Gleese; Scott LaBarre; Shawn
Callaway; Terry Sheeler
Subject: National Federation of the Blind Urges Congress to Reject
Commercializing Rest Stops


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE



CONTACT:

Chris Danielsen

Director of Public Relations

National Federation of the Blind

(410) 659-9314, extension 2330

(410) 262-1281 (Cell)

Cdanielsen at nfb.org



National Federation of the Blind Urges Congress
to Reject Commercializing Rest Stops
Transportation Bill Amendment Threatens Livelihood of Hundreds of Blind
Entrepreneurs


Baltimore, Maryland (February 14, 2012): The 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.



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 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."



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.



###



About the National Federation of the Blind

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.
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/nfbk_nfbnet.org/attachments/20120214/f20f28fb/attachment.html>