NDSC Governmental Affairs Newsline -- Special Edition

August 2, 2012

National Down Syndrome Congress

Governmental Affairs Newsline

In This Issue

Success in Getting Co-Sponsors

Day on the Hill Survey

National Down Syndrome Congress
30 Mansell Court

Suite 108
Roswell, GA 30076
ndsc@ndsccenter.org
800-232-6372/770-604-9500

NDSC Hill Day Advocates Get New Co-Sponsors

Day on the Hill Advocates Successful in Getting Co-Sponsors

NDSC advocates were very successful in achieving the purpose for which they went to Capitol Hill - getting new co-sponsors our four different bills. Those four bill were:

1. Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE)

A bill that creates a new savings instrument for people with disabilities without the risk of losing important benefits such as SSI and Medicaid.

Representatives:

Sam Graves (MO)

Richard Hanna (NY)

John Runyan (NJ)

Sanford Bishop (GA)

G.K. Butterfield (NC)

Kathy Castor (FL)

David Rivera (FL)

Steve Cabot (OH)

Christopher Gibson (NY)

Rosa L DeLauro (CT)

Bill Owens (NY)

Stevan Pearce (NM)

Senators:

Thad Cochran (MS)

Kay Bailey Hutchinson (TX)

Sherrod Brown (OH)

2. Keeping Students Safe Act

A bill which prohibits the use of restraint and seclusion, except in the event of a true emergency, in schools.

Steve Cohen (TN)

Kathy Castor (FL)

Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX)

James Moran (VA)

Michael Capuano (MA)

Trisomy 21 Acts

Two bills which improve coordination of research and create new Centers of Excellence.

3. Research Resource Act (H.R. 2696)

Michael Capuano (MA)

Jackie Speier (CA)

Spencer Baucus (AL)

Paul Tonko (NY)

David Rivera (FL)

Jason Almire (PA)

Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX)

4. Research Centers of Excellence Act (H.R. 2696)

Jackie Speier (CA)

Michael Capuano (MA)

Spencer Baucus (AL)

Paul Tonko (NY)

David Rivera (FL)

David Loebsack (IA)

Bill Owens (NY)

Capitol Steps

We thank you for your participation and hard work! Here's a favorite comment received from one of our advocate families:

"The highlight for me was when my 21-year daughter read from the prompt cards you had prepared to our Senator. She was clear and articulate in her speech and he had tears in his eyes as he listened. There could not have been a more powerful advocate on the Hill that day."

Have you responded to our Day on the Hill Survey?

If you attended Day on the Hill, and have not yet responded to our evaluation survey, we hope you'll do so soon!

Day on the Hill Evaluation

Any questions? Please contact susan@ndsccenter.org

If you have questions, contact susan@ndsccenter.org