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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>I’m resending this as it appears some may not have gotten it. It went from the wrong address and Google rejected it. I apologize if you get it twice.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Hello Fellow Federationists:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>It’s time to get you ready for exciting times in the Federation. We have reminders about the issues for Washington Seminar, information about the upcoming national convention, and more. Let’s get started.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I am excited to announce that we have six people going to Washington Seminar this year. I had a call with them this week to get them prepared, and we have one more scheduled next week to make sure everything is ready to go. The State of the Union address may have changed the schedule up a bit for the Congressional reception, which has been moved to the Holiday Inn Capitol, but that change hasn’t dampened the group’s enthusiasm or our ability to get appointments with all of our representatives and both of our senators. I can’t wait to see what accomplishments we’ll get out of this year’s trip to Capitol Hill.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>If you need a refresher on the legislative issues, or if you want to take a look at the fact sheets, you can find those at<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://nfb.org/2019-legislative-agenda">https://nfb.org/2019-legislative-agenda</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>It’s time to think about the upcoming convention of the National Federation of the Blind from July 7<sup>th</sup> through the 12<sup>th. </sup>The room block is now open, so get your reservations in early. I have pasted the link where you can get the latest information on convention including how to contact the hotel, room rates, and much more!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://nfb.org/convention/2019">https://nfb.org/convention/2019</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>In other news, the governor has released her budget proposal for fiscal years 2020 and 2021. As you know, Director Wharton has asked for an increase in the budget for the Iowa Department for the Blind to hire another teacher for the Independent Living program. I am pleased to report that the governor has submitted the amount of $2,247,499 for the Iowa Department for the Blind, which is in line with Director Wharton’s request. Our work is not done here since the budget must first be approved by the legislature before the Department can hire a new teacher. I will keep you posted on the budget process as more information becomes available. We must be prepared to support the Departments request since it will help to make services available to more blind Iowans.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I have received word that Joe Van Lent is up for reappointment to the commission for the blind board. While the National Federation of the Blind of Iowa is not able to endorse specific candidates to the commission board, we as individuals can and should write letters of support for candidates that we feel will best serve the blind of Iowa. Mr. Van Lent has served on the commission board for a number of years, and I personally feel he has served the blind of Iowa well and would continue to do so. If you wish to write letters of support for Mr. Van Lent, or other candidates who may be considered, please get your letters to Nick Boeyink as soon as possible. Mr. Boeyink’s email address is<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="mailto:Nick.boeyink@iowa.gov">Nick.boeyink@iowa.gov</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Many of us will be travelling out of Iowa over the coming days. I will be going to Baltimore January 25<sup>th</sup> through the 27<sup>th </sup>for an affiliate presidents seminar focusing on newer presidents. I look forward to building new networking relationships and strengthening other ones with many of the leaders of the movement. Others will be going to Washington Seminar and various student activities in Washington D.C. and Baltimore. We hope to bring back fresh ideas and perspectives to further the cause here in Iowa. In the meantime, let’s go build the National Federation of the Blind!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Cordially:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Scott Van Gorp, President<br>National Federation of the Blind of Iowa<br>Phone: 515-720-5282<br></span><a href="mailto:svangorp@nfbi.org"><span style='color:#0563C1'>Email</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://www.nfbi.org/"><i><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#0563C1'>Website</span></i></a><i><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> <br></span></i><a href="https://www.facebook.com/National-Federation-Of-the-Blind-Of-Iowa-372681823082570/posts"><i><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#0563C1'>Facebook</span></i></a><i><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> <br></span></i><a href="https://twitter.com/nfb_iowa"><i><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#0563C1'>Twitter</span></i></a><i><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> <br>Live the life you want.<br></span></i><br>The National Federation of the Blind of Iowa 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></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>