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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Greetings Fellow Federationists,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I have received a Notice from National requesting that NFB Members call their Congressmen prior to June 30, in attempts to have 25% of the House and Senate Co-Sponsor Hr 431 and S 212 Respectively.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>According to President Riccobono, there are 86 Representatives who are Co-Sponsoring HR 431 and 20 Senators who are Co-Sponsoring S 212.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The goal is to have 109 Co-Sponsors in the House and 25 Co-Sponsors in the Senate by the time of our National Convention the first week in July (July 6 – 10).<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The ATAA will provide a refundable tax credit to qualified blind persons, who purchase equipment not exceeding $2000 in cost over a three-year period.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Currently Clients must wait for their VR Counselors to purchase equipment on their behalf and then provide Training, prior to the Client seeking a competitive employment opportunity.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>This approach places the Client at a disadvantage, because the Client is NOT ready to begin work until he is trained on the equipment.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Please note that Rep. Chris Smith is already a Co-Sponsor of HR 431.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Last week, I called both U.S. Senators’ Offices in Washington and left messages. Neither one has responded.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>David Mostello, Secretary<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Capital Chapter<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>NFB of NJ, Inc.<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>