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<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message -----
<DIV style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; font-color: black"><B>From:</B> <A
title=kevanworley@blindmerchants.org
href="mailto:kevanworley@blindmerchants.org">Kevan Worley</A> </DIV>
<DIV><B>To:</B> <A title=ruthfalligan@att.net
href="mailto:ruthfalligan@att.net">'Al Falligan'</A> ; <A
title=artds55@comcast.net href="mailto:artds55@comcast.net">'Art Stevenson'</A>
; <A title=clbtallen@aol.com href="mailto:clbtallen@aol.com">'Charles and Betty
Allen'</A> ; <A title=jimfarley86@yahoo.com
href="mailto:jimfarley86@yahoo.com">'Jim Farley'</A> ; <A
title=johnfritz@centurytel.net href="mailto:johnfritz@centurytel.net">'John
Fritz'</A> ; <A title=lhr1827@optonline.net
href="mailto:lhr1827@optonline.net">'Lynn Reynolds'</A> ; <A
title=sdy10vend@comcast.net href="mailto:sdy10vend@comcast.net">'Scott
Young'</A> ; <A title=one.fisherman@hawaiiantel.net
href="mailto:one.fisherman@hawaiiantel.net">'Virgil Stinnett'</A> ; <A
title=dwm2@netzero.net href="mailto:dwm2@netzero.net">'Dave Merritt'</A> ; <A
title=ballahack@earthlink.net href="mailto:ballahack@earthlink.net">'David
Phillips'</A> ; <A title=priscillajhudson@comcast.net
href="mailto:priscillajhudson@comcast.net">'Don Hudson'</A> ; <A
title=gene_fleeman@yahoo.com href="mailto:gene_fleeman@yahoo.com">'Gene
Fleeman'</A> ; <A title=HackneyCharles@aol.com
href="mailto:HackneyCharles@aol.com">HackneyCharles@aol.com</A> ; <A
title=jeremiah54@earthlink.net href="mailto:jeremiah54@earthlink.net">'Jeremiah
Wells'</A> ; <A title=jrs3147@comcast.net href="mailto:jrs3147@comcast.net">'Joe
Shaw'</A> ; <A title=jeg80@comcast.net href="mailto:jeg80@comcast.net">'John
Gerber'</A> ; <A title=jpj1955@aol.com href="mailto:jpj1955@aol.com">'john
Jones'</A> ; <A title=hjm2@verizon.net href="mailto:hjm2@verizon.net">'Lorraine
Magnessun'</A> ; <A title=mannyjs@gmail.com
href="mailto:mannyjs@gmail.com">'Manny Sifuentes'</A> ; <A
title=mhenterprise@bellsouth.net href="mailto:mhenterprise@bellsouth.net">'Mary
Hayes'</A> ; <A title=pjschnurr@att.net
href="mailto:pjschnurr@att.net">'Pamela'</A> ; <A title=bimbo@unm.edu
href="mailto:bimbo@unm.edu">'Ray Marshall'</A> ; <A title=suncat0@gmail.com
href="mailto:suncat0@gmail.com">suncat0@gmail.com</A> ; <A
title=terrysmith@epbfi.com
href="mailto:terrysmith@epbfi.com">terrysmith@epbfi.com</A> ; <A
title=wdblackis@comcast.net href="mailto:wdblackis@comcast.net">'Willie
Black'</A> </DIV>
<DIV><B>Cc:</B> <A title=harold.wilson2@verizon.net
href="mailto:harold.wilson2@verizon.net">Harold Wilson</A> ; <A
title=rkvend@aol.com href="mailto:rkvend@aol.com">Kim Williams</A> ; <A
title=nickycolorado@netscape.net
href="mailto:nickycolorado@netscape.net">nickycolorado@netscape.net</A> ; <A
title=sharonparis@comcast.net
href="mailto:sharonparis@comcast.net">sharonparis@comcast.net</A> </DIV>
<DIV><B>Sent:</B> Friday, February 17, 2012 12:49</DIV>
<DIV><B>Subject:</B> A Message from our NABM President- RE: HR 7</DIV></DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV class=WordSection1>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">Greetings,<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">I
wanted to follow up with everyone on the efforts to amend HR 7 to allow
commercialization of the interstate rest areas. Congressman LaTourette has
definitely heard loud and clear that his amendment would be devastating to blind
entrepreneurs and the amendment has little chance to pass as originally
proposed. His office is still working on language to ensure that blind
vendors are not adversely affected. The bill will now not go to the floor
for a vote before the week of February 27th. This will allow them time to
reconsider the amendment and/or develop language that eases our concerns.
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">Thanks to
all of you and the efforts of John Pare, Terry Smith, Chris Danielsen, and
others at NFB's national office, we are optimistic that we can defeat this
amendment. However, if it passes, it will go to conference with the Senate
which has already passed the bill without any commercialization language.
The Senate has historically opposed commercialization efforts so we will get
another chance to defeat the effort at that point. We will need your
efforts again if that occurs. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">There
has been some talk about allowing commercialization but giving a priority to
blind entrepreneurs. Although that is tempting, many state licensing
agencies are not in position to develop the type of partnership arrangements
that would be required. If the SLA passed on the opportunity, as I'm sure
many would, the states could invite other third parties into the rest areas thus
making the vending opportunities currently enjoyed by blind entrepreneurs
virtually meaningless. Although NABM is willing to look at a thoroughly
thought-out plan that would create opportunities for blind entrepreneurs, we are
not willing to rush into agreeing to language in an amendment that could have
severe consequences. We are more than willing to sit down with proponents
of commercialization during the coming year to consider options.
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">Let me
say that I am proud of all of you who sprang into action. NABM and the NFB
have once again demonstrated that when we mobilize NFB members and blind vendors
across the country, the voice of the blind will be heard. I'd like to also
personally thank our NABM board and leadership group, especially Kevan
Worley of Colorado, John Gordon of Illinois, Tom Spilliotis of Florida and
Pam Schnurr of Indiana. Thanks to all of you. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">Nicky
Gacos<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><IMG
id=Picture_x0020_6 height=50
src="cid:DD07C9703BBD49368B56CA3113E32B7E@Reputercat"
width=215><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">Kevan
Worley<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">Executive
Director<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">National Association
of Blind Merchants<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P></DIV></BODY></HTML>