[NFBMT] Thank You, Jim and Linda!

[president at nfbofmt.org]

Dear NFB-MT Discussion List,

Please join me in thanking Jim Aldrich and Linda Hurlock for their
legislative testimony last Friday on behalf of our organization.  Jim and
Linda testified during the public hearing for the Joint Appropriations
Subcommittee on Health and Human Services on Friday, February 1, 2019.  They
encouraged the Committee to continue its fiscal support of Blind and Low
Vision Services as well as to sustain the autonomy of that program.  Well
done, Jim and Linda!

If you would like to listen to the testimony or the division presentation
that preceded the testimony, please go to leg.mt.gov and follow the link to
the archives.

One last observation is that it never fails to amaze all how our members
sacrifice to make sure our voice is heard.  Jim Aldrich braved a long and
arduous bus trip that sadly included bad weather and an armed hostage taking
incident.  That's right, you heard it properly.  When Jim's bus arrived in
Butte, the bus headed east was taken over by a distraught passenger who held
another passenger by gun point.  The incident concluded with the arrest of
the hostage-taker, and no one was significantly injured.  Nonetheless, it
was an extremely frightening episode, and Jim pushed through the trauma with
his usual grace and good humor.  Jim, we are all so very happy all turned
out well, and that you could join Linda to make certain the Legislature
considers what's best for blind Montanans!

Best!



Jim Marks
President, National Federation of the Blind of Montana
president at nfbofmt.org
(406) 438-1421