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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>All-<BR>Below is a very important email alert which
was sent to the NCSAB members and stakeholders<BR>this morning on the latest
actions for the commercialization of roadside rest areas.<BR>Time is of the
essence and we all must join together immediately and contact Senator<BR>Boxer
(202) 224-3553 and Congressman Drier of the House Rules Committee<BR>(202)
225-2305. You could also call Senator Feinstein's office as well, and
send<BR>emails referring to the new Senate Amendment S. 1813.<BR>Thanks to all
who are taking the time to make the calls<BR>on this very important issue to
thousands of blind<BR>vendors throughout our nation.<BR>Here is the latest alert
just put out to NCSAB. Looks like things are moving fast,<BR>and the Senate will
likely be where this is won or lost.<BR>Good morning NCSAB members:<BR>We have
learned that the plan on the surface transportation reauthorization bill<BR>is
for the Senate to move S. 1813 first, and then for the House to take up the
Senate<BR>bill. Senator Portman of Ohio continues to push hard for the
opportunity to offer<BR>his commercialization amendment – amendment number 1742
to S. 1813 - which would<BR>threaten business opportunities for blind
entrepreneurs along federal highways and<BR>have a devastating impact on
Randolph-Sheppard programs across the country.<BR>The Senate is poised to move
quickly on S. 1813, and it is absolutely vital that<BR>all United States
Senators hear from blind vendors, SLAs, and anybody who cares about<BR>the
future of business opportunities for the blind as soon as possible. Please
call<BR>your Senators today to register your concerns with Portman amendment
1742 to S. 1813,<BR>and pass this message along to your elected committees and
consumer organizations<BR>so that they can do the same. Again, we are working in
a very tight timeframe, so<BR>contacts will be most effective if made
today.<BR>You can reach your Senators’ offices by calling the Capitol
switchboard at<BR>(202) 225-3121<BR>.<BR>Thank you for your continued efforts to
preserve business opportunities for blind<BR>entrepreneurs!<BR>Take
care,<BR>Sean<BR>Sean Whalen<BR>Policy Associate<BR>Linchpin Strategies,
LLC</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>