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Speaking Out In Augusta
By Maryann Preble
Rick Dorian, Governor Baldacci,
Maryann Preble & Heidi Seger
at the at the State House
Welcome Center, March 17, 2005Many Speaking Up for Us members spent a lot of time telling Legislators our concerns about the budget cuts and how the cuts would hurt people with disabilities.
As the chair person for SUFU I have presented testimony (on behalf of SUFU) before the Legislators three times this year! Governor Baldacci presented SUFU with a proclamation proclaiming March as “People With Intellectual Disabilities Month.”
We shared many Legislative Awareness Alerts this year. Some self advocates who couldn’t make it to Augusta but were still managed to be heard; they sent their letter’s to SUFU and we forwarded them to the proper people.
May 11, 2005 SUFU had a table at the Hall of Flags in Augusta to share with the Legislators and Senators about who we (SUFU) are and what we do.
Over 75 Self advocates, supports, and allies united for the “Maine Can Do Better Rally” and the Legislative Awareness Day on St. Patrick’s Day. Representative Elaine Marcos of Lewiston invited us to be recognized the Legislature. We also met and talked to the Senators and Representatives who represent us. We shared our concerns about the cuts to services for people with disabilities and other things we wanted them to know about us. We also told them how important it is for us to make sure people can get the medicines and services they need to live in the community. We all wore green to let them know we need the money.
Members of the SUFU Legislative Committee, Maryann Preble, Carol Lanouette, and Paul Picard would like to say thanks to everyone who spoke up to help save the services people need.
The FIGHT IS NOT OVER! Be ready in the fall to “SPEAK UP AND HAVE YOUR VOICE HEARD” in Augusta in 2006.
