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[an error occurred while processing this directive] Governmental Affairs: Advocacy in action. Read current and previous Legislative Network Alerts. View a listing of the Legislative Network Members. Frequently asked questions about the Legislative Network. |
Legislative Network Alerts Alert Number 153 February 6, 2006 For Your Information The 25th Anniversary of NRA's Legislative Summit To: Members of the Legislative Network From: Patricia Leahy, Director of Governmental Affairs The National Rehabilitation Association is proud to present it's 25th Annual Legislative Summit, which will be held at the Hilton Hotel, 1767 King Street, Old Town, Alexandria, commencing on Sunday, March 12, and culminating in NRA's Day on the Hill on Tuesday, March 14, 2006. The telephone number of the Hilton Hotel is: 703-837-0440. Embedded in this Washington Wire you will find an updated Program for the Legislative Summit, together with information on the Early Bird Registration, as well as the Registration form. Please note one major change this year and that is the Leadership Institute Breakfast will be held on the first day of the Summit, Sunday, March 12, from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the King Street Hilton Hotel, where the Summit is taking place. Please watch for Washington Wire updates on the Legislative Summit over the next few weeks. The National Rehabilitation Association received an electronic version of the President's 2007 Federal budget earlier this morning. There were two issues of which we want to make you aware. In the U.S. Department of Labor budget narrative, we note with serious interest but not surprise, the continued concentration on consolidation of job training programs, especially those which are deemed to be redundant and overlapping programs. One of the most important issues for the National Rehabilitation Association has been -- and continues to be -- maintaining the integrity of ALL programs authorized under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended This issue will be discussed in great detail at the Legislative Summit and this message needs to be taken to Capitol Hill. In the U.S. Department of Education budget narrative, we note with serious interest the comments on tracking and increasing transition outcomes for young adults with disabilities including a new indicator to track those outcomes. The National Rehabilitation Association has always supported and continues to support enhanced transitional outcomes for young adults with disabilities. In order to fulfill that promise to parents, and others, however, there needs to be additional funding in the Rehabilitation Act in which to do so. These are two issues (among other important issues) which I, as your Director of Governmental Affairs, and others, will address at the Legislative Summit. As we have said in previous Washington Wires, you should begin making appointments with your Representatives and Senators as soon as possible. Because 2006 is a mid-term election year, in which all 435 Members of the U.S. House of Representatives and one-third of the 100 Senators are up for re-election, this is an especially important time to meet with your Members of Congress. Members of Congress want their constituents to contact them about issues of great importance to their Districts and States. Below is the updated Program for the Legislative Summit. National Rehabilitation Association 25th Annual Governmental Affairs Summit and Leadership Breakfast March 12-14, 2006 Proposed Schedule (Subject to Change) SUNDAY, MARCH 12, 2006 (HOTEL ALL DAY) 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Leadership Institute Breakfast • Achieve a better understanding of the organizational structure of NRA. • Understand the role and responsibilities of the NRA National Office. • Learn about your role and responsibilities as the leader of a NRA Chapter, Division or Region, and • Gain a better understanding of the NRA’s national advocacy efforts and how they affect you. • Build collaborative partnerships and relationships with other NRA volunteer leaders; and • Enhance your opportunities for networking and the sharing of information. 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Registration 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Pre-Session for First-Time Attendees “Legislative Advocacy 101” Governmental Affairs Committee Co-Chairs Tom Wilson and Nora Owens, NRA Director of Governmental Affairs, Patricia Leahy 1:45 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Opening Session - Keynote Speaker 3:00 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. Break 3:15 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Allen Harris, President of the National Council of State Agencies for the Blind (NCSAB) on several legislative issues, including the status of the Randolph-Sheppard Act MONDAY, MARCH 13, 2006 (HOTEL ALL DAY) 8:30 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. Patricia Leahy, Director of Governmental Affairs will present on the legislative landscape, 'Scandals, Some Scoundrals and Significant and Substantive Reform in the Congress.' 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Congressional Panel Aaron Bishop, Director of Disability Policy to the Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, Senator Mike Enzi (R.WY.). Mr. Bishop will discuss the status of the reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), with a specific focus on Title IV, the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1998. Connie Garner, Director of Disability Policy to the Ranking Democrat, Senate HELP Committee, Senator Edward Kennedy (D.MA.). Ms. Garner will discuss the reauthorization of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), as well as a discussion of the unfounded allegations that children and young adults with disabilities are negatively affecting the Annual Yearly Progress (AYP) of the No Child Left Behind Legislation. 11:00 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Break 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Kathy West-Evans formerly of RSA and currently with CSAVR will present on the VR Business Connection 12:30 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. Lunch Break (on your own) 1:45 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. WIA Panel comprised of representatives of the U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Department of Labor and the Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation (CSAVR). 3:00 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. Break 3:15 p.m to 4:45 p.m. Presentations on the Position papers by the Legislative Committee Co-Chairs, Tom Wilson And Nora Owens, members of NRA's Governmental Affairs Committee and Governmental Affairs Director, Patricia Leahy. 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. NRA’s 2006 President's Reception TUESDAY, MARCH 14, 2006 (CAPITOL HILL ALL DAY) 8:30 a.m. NRA Members depart for Capitol Hill via Metro 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Appointments with Representatives & Senators 12:00 p.m. - to 2:00 p.m. NRA Congressional Lunch and Presentation of NRA’s “Lead On” Awards The Congressional Buffet and Awards Lunch will be held from 12 Noon to 2:00 p.m. in the Rayburn House Office Building's Banquet Rooms, B-338 and B-339. 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Appointments with Representatives & Senators 4:15 p.m. - 5:15 p.m. Wrap-up session on Capitol Hill Room 121 of the Cannon House Office Building Online registration for the 25th Annual Government Affairs Summit is available here: A printable copy of the registration form is available in the November/December issue of Contemporary Rehab which is available here: 'Early Bird' registration must include payment and be postmarked on or before February 20, 2006. Hotel Information Please call the hotel directly to make room reservations. Mention the National Rehabilitation Association 2006 Governmental Affairs Summit for Special reduced room rates. Special rate cut off date is February 15, 2006. Reservations received after February 15, 2006 will be accepted on a space available basis. ALL changes, cancellations, etc., of hotel reservations should be made directly with the hotel. HILTON ALEXANDRIA OLD TOWN 1767 King Street Alexandria, VA 22314 (703) 837-0440 Special Room Rates: Single 144 Double 154 Tom Stewart Memorial Fund Information Background information. Tom Stewart was the Governmental Affairs Director for the National Rehabilitation Association from 1994 until his death in March of 2002. Prior to joining the National Rehabilitation Association, Tom spent 14 years on Capitol Hill as a legislative aide. In his capacity as Governmental Affairs Director, Tom planned the annual NRA Governmental Affairs Conference. The Memorial Fund. Established in his memory and to honor his belief in the important role advocates play in forming public policy, the Tom Stewart Memorial Fund was created by the National Rehabilitation Association. The purpose of the fund is to support the participation of first time attendees to the National Rehabilitation Association’s annual Governmental Affairs Conference. The Treasurer of the National Rehabilitation Association will review all applications for assistance and will make a recommendation to NRA’s executive committee as to the number and amount of awards to be presented. Application Process If you plan to attend the National Rehabilitation Association’s annual Governmental Affairs conference for the first time and meet the criteria below, please submit the Tom Stewart Memorial Fund application along with your completed registration form for the NRA Governmental Affairs Conference. Do not send any money with your registration form at this time. Applicants may request financial support for the conference registration fee, transportation, and lodging. The Tom Stewart Memorial fund does not provide financial support for meals, other than those provided at the conference. Awards are not transferable |
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