SUFU will be sharing letters, posts and other documents to preserve the history of SUFU and what Self-Advocates have done in Maine.
This was originally shared in March of 2005 as Self-Advocates participated in Self-Advocacy Day at the Statehouse. This was written by Russell Anderson.
March 17, 2005 was yet another successful Advocacy Day! Members of Speaking Up For Us (SUFU) came to the State House to be recognized and to speak to their Senators and Representatives about their concerns in regard to the state budget.
Carol Lanouette, So. Gardiner; Sherry Howes, Machias; and Laura Antranigian, Portland, in the rotunda. Corridor to the House Chambers in the background.
Some 60 members of SUFU met with the Speaker of the House, John Richardson, and the President of the Senate, Beth Edmonds as well as many other legislators to have discussions about budget cuts and impacts to their lives. In the Senate, SUFU Officers of the Board were publicly recognized. In another ceremony, members were seated in the gallery of the House and introduced from the floor of the House of Representatives.
Representative Elaine Makas invited Speaking Up for Us to participate in the events of this Advocacy Day. Representative Makas also asked Senator Richard Nass to arrange for an opportunity to recognize SUFU in the Senate.
James Oldenburg, Houlton; Marie Fearon, Presque Isle; Gayna Cook, Presque Isle; Kelly Baston, Patten; and Marcia Sprague, Machias, traveled hundreds of miles to the State House to join the Advocacy Day activities of March 17, 2005.
Officers of SUFU, Maryann Preble, Marie Fearon, Carol Lanouette, and James Oldenburg were active in the planning of the day’s activities, and ensured SUFU members their voices would be heard. Governor Baldacci also issued a proclamation on the same day, declaring March 2005 as “Persons with Intellectual Disabilities Month.”
