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<font face="Helvetica, Helvetica" size=4><b>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br>
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<font face="Helvetica, Helvetica"><b>CONTACT:<br>
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<font face="Helvetica, Helvetica">Chris Danielsen<br>
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<font face="Helvetica, Helvetica">Director of Public Relations<br>
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<font face="Helvetica, Helvetica">National Federation of the Blind<br>
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<font face="Helvetica, Helvetica">(410) 659-9314, extension 2330<br>
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<font face="Helvetica, Helvetica">(410) 262-1281 (Cell)<br>
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<font face="Helvetica, Helvetica"><a href="mailto:Cdanielsen@nfb.org">
Cdanielsen@nfb.org</a><br>
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<div align="center"><h1><font size=4><b>National Federation of the Blind
Urges Congress <br>
to Reject Commercializing Rest Stops</b></font></h1><br><br>
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<br>
<div align="center"><h2><b>Transportation Bill Amendment Threatens
Livelihood of Hundreds of Blind Entrepreneurs</i></b></h2><br><br>
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<font face="Helvetica, Helvetica"><b>Baltimore, Maryland (February 14,
2012):</b> The <a href="http://www.nfb.org/">National Federation of the
Blind</a>, 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.<br>
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<font face="Helvetica, Helvetica">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
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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.”<br>
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The amendment<font face="Helvetica, Helvetica">, #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. <br>
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<b>About the National Federation of the Blind <br>
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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.</blockquote></body>
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