<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto"><br><br><div dir="ltr"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">N F B Alaska affiliate president,</o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">P Kevin Whitley <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Manual Skills Instructor,</b><b> Equipping Alaskans for success<o:p></o:p></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b> </b>Alaska Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><font color="#000000"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="x-apple-data-detectors://0/0" dir="ltr" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="address" x-apple-data-detectors-result="0/0" style="text-decoration-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.258824);">3903 Taft Drive</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><font color="#000000"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="x-apple-data-detectors://0/0" dir="ltr" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="address" x-apple-data-detectors-result="0/0" style="text-decoration-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.258824);">Anchorage, AK 99517-3069</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><font color="#000000"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="tel:(907)%20538-9826" dir="ltr" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="telephone" x-apple-data-detectors-result="0/1" style="text-decoration-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.258824);">(907) 538-9826</a> <a href="tel:(907)%20248-7770" dir="ltr" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="telephone" x-apple-data-detectors-result="0/2" style="text-decoration-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.258824);">(907) 248-7770</a> <a href="tel:(800)%20770-7517" dir="ltr" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="telephone" x-apple-data-detectors-result="1">(800) 770-7517</a>Fax <a href="tel:(907)%20248-7517" dir="ltr" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="telephone" x-apple-data-detectors-result="2/0" style="text-decoration-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.258824);">(907) 248-7517</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><font color="#000000"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="mailto:kwhitley@alaskabvi.org" dir="ltr" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="link" x-apple-data-detectors-result="2/1" style="text-decoration-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.258824);">kwhitley@alaskabvi.org</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><u><a href="http://www.alaskabvi.org/">www.alaskabvi.org</a></u> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><u><a href="http://www.facebook.com/alaskabvi" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">www.facebook.com/alaskabvi</a></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; line-height: 15.399999618530273px;"><b><span style="line-height: 16.799999237060547px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Just because you’re blind doesn’t mean you can’t do! </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; line-height: 15.399999618530273px;"><b><span style="line-height: 16.799999237060547px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; line-height: 15.399999618530273px;"><span style="line-height: 16.799999237060547px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">___________________________________________</span></p></div><div dir="ltr"><br>Begin forwarded message:<br><br></div><blockquote type="cite"><div dir="ltr"><b>From:</b> "Young, Justin" <jyoung@nfb.org><br><b>Date:</b> February 8, 2023 at 11:31:45 AM AKST<br><b>To:</b> "State President, Alaska" <whitley.kevin63@gmail.com><br><b>Subject:</b> <b>FW: Asking Senator Murkowski to support the Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act</b><br><br></div></blockquote><blockquote type="cite"><div dir="ltr">
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Hi Kevin,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Below is what I sent yesterday. Look forward to collaborating with you and members of the Alaska affiliate on this initiative!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">We are asking for Senator Murkowski to support the Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act. The current plan is for the bill to be introduced on February 15 by Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and
Steve Daines (R-MT).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Thanks,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Justin<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> Young, Justin <br>
<b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, February 7, 2023 4:47 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> cassidy_hobbs@murkowski.senate.gov<br>
<b>Subject:</b> Asking Senator Murkowski to support the Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a name="_Hlk96582520">Dear Cassidy:<o:p></o:p></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk96582520"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk96582520">On behalf of the National Federation of the Blind, we are asking Senator Murkowski to cosponsor the Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act being introduced by Senators Casey and Daines.
Section <strong><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;background:white">14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) authorizes employers to pay their workers with disabilities sub-minimum wages
</span></strong><span style="color:black;background:white">while they perform mundane tasks that do not transfer into skills necessary to transition to other employment options. According to the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics,
as of 2021, 39,386 people with disabilities were still being paid below the minimum wage.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk96582520"><span style="color:black;background:white">To solve this problem, we ask the Senator to cosponsor the Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act, which would phase out over a five-year
period this antiquated and discriminatory practice. We are not advocating raising the minimum wage in the United States; we are only advocating for everyone to earn the minimum wage.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk96582520"><span style="color:black;background:white"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk96582520">I would be happy to schedule a meeting to discuss this bill further.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk96582520"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk96582520"></span><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/washington-seminar/washington-seminar-priorities/transformation"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk96582520">Please read our fact sheet on the
Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act.</span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk96582520"></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk96582520"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk96582520"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk96582520"><strong><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;background:white">To cosponsor this legislation in the Senate, contact:<o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk96582520"><span style="color:black;background:white">Michael Gamel-McCormick, Disability Policy Director, Senate Special Committee on Aging</span><span style="color:black"><br>
<span style="background:white">Phone: 202-224-4193, Email: </span></span></span><a href="mailto:Michael_Gamel-McCormick@aging.senate.gov"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk96582520"><span style="color:#005AA3;background:white">Michael_Gamel-McCormick@aging.senate.gov</span></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk96582520"></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk96582520"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color:#005AA3"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk96582520"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk96582520">Sincerely</span>,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Justin T. Young, Ed.D<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Government Affairs Specialist<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">410-659-9314, extension 2210 |
<a href="mailto:jyoung@nfb.org">jyoung@nfb.org</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://nfb.org/"><span style="text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="210" height="76" style="width:2.1833in;height:.7916in" id="_x0000_i1028" src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/email/2/nfblogo.png" alt="National Federation of the Blind" data-unique-identifier=""></span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/nationalfederationoftheblind">
<span style="text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="24" height="24" style="width:.25in;height:.25in" id="_x0000_i1027" src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/email/2/facebook.png" alt="Facebook" data-unique-identifier=""></span></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/NFB_Voice"><span style="text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="24" height="24" style="width:.25in;height:.25in" id="_x0000_i1026" src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/email/2/twitter.png" alt="Twitter" data-unique-identifier=""></span></a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/NationsBlind"><span style="text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="24" height="24" style="width:.25in;height:.25in" id="_x0000_i1025" src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/email/2/youtube.png" alt="Youtube" data-unique-identifier=""></span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation’s blind. Every day we work together to help blind people live the lives they want.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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