Here is your update on the TACA (TALK ABOUT CURING AUTISM) Group for April 2003 - #2. As always, email your thoughts and or questions.
I want to make this e-newsletter informative for you. Let me know your thoughts on how I can improve it.
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IF this email is NEW to you and you don't recognize the name... WELCOME! These emails happen two to four times a month for Southern California Autism support called TACA.
We focus on parent support, parent mentoring, gluten / casein free diets, the latest in medical research, special education law, reviews of the latest treatments, and many other topics as it relates to Autism.
Talk About Curing Autism (TACA) provides general information of interest to the autism community. The information comes from a variety of sources and TACA does not independently verify any of it. The views expressed herein are not necessarily TACA’s.
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TACA has an official web site at www.talkaboutcuringautism.org
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In this edition of TACA e-news:
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1) Next TACA COSTA MESA support group meeting:
Date: Saturday, April 12th, 2003 (always the 2nd Saturday of each month)
Time: 2:30 - 5:30
Topics: Because of POPULAR DEMAND – TWO Topics:
Tomatis Listening Therapy - Presented by Deb Swain SLP from the Swain Center (30 minutes)
Autism & Apraxia (1.5 hours)
Apraxia is NOT just a language problem for autistics – come
learn more about this important topic.
Presented by Speech & Language Connection: Melanie Foshee and Kim Bowman
PLACE: VINEYARD NEWPORT CHURCH - 102 East Baker Avenue - Costa Mesa
(Please do not contact the church for meeting details. They have graciously offered use of their facility, but are not affiliated with TACA.)
Directions:
405 FWY South, Exit Bristol
Right on Bristol
Left on Baker
Go under FREEWAY.
The Vineyard church is on the corner just after the FWY - turn left onto the freeway access road, MAKE FIRST right into the Vineyard's parking lot.
And remember, we are still a non-faith based group!
CONTACT PHONE FOR DAYS OF THE MEETING ONLY: 949.678.9010
Please do NOT use the cell contact for days outside of the meetings. Thank you!
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2) UPCOMING TACA Costa Mesa Meeting Schedule:
May 10, 2003 School
Shadowing Presentation -
What to look for - what to avoid ABA Specialist - Jessica Postil
- Autism Spectrum Consultants
June To be Determined 2003: Rescheduled Dr Jerry Kartzinel Medical Seminar
June 14, 2003: Kirkman Labs – the new world of supplementation
July 12, 2003: Child Neuropsychologist: Dr Christine
Majors
- What is in a test and
outside evaluations? Why are they important?
- Where should you start? How should you continue?
August 8, 2003: Who pays for WHAT SERVICES?
Parent options for PAYING services for their children.
Much more is being planned for September – December of 2003! Stay tuned!
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TACA has FIVE So. California meeting locations:
1) Costa Mesa: 2nd Saturday of each month (info in item #1)
2) West Hills (the valley man!): the 1st Sunday of every month, on the Cal State University Northridge Campus in the Early Intervention Psyche Clinic... - Info: Contact Us
3) San Diego: 4th Tuesday evening – 6:30- 8:00pm – Info: Contact Us
4) Corona: 3rd Saturday – 2:30pm – 5:30pm – Info: Contact Us
And our newest edition: 5) Torrance (Los Angeles Area)
TACA Torrance meet the 3rd Monday of each month.
Whole Foods Market Torrance
2655 Pacific Coast Hwy
Torrance – in the Rolling Hills Shopping Center
6:30-7:30 New parent information
7:30-9:00 Regular Meeting
Info: Contact Us
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3) SACRAMENTO UPDATE:
This was the 2nd time I flew to Sacramento – our states capitol – as a parent of an autistic child. Last year, I was given an amazing Resolution for efforts with TACA and watch the California State Senate proclaim April as Autism Awareness month. This year, so much more happened. Here is a brief run down on the weekend’s activities:
Saturday: Arrived in the morning with Diane Gallant. Over 300 of us attended the Autism Awareness Rally at the State Capitol. Over 12 speakers got up and provided inspirational speeches about Autism, what we could do as families and individuals. There were great activities for the kids, cool autism awareness T-shirts and pins, and just a lot of amazing folks. This rally was sponsored and organized by Unlocking Autism and FEAT (Families for Early Autism Treatment.) They did an amazing job and it was a great day.
For pictures from the event: http://www.nedasoft.com/asasb/autismrally.htm
The great Debbie Hosseini took these with her digital camera! (Thank you Debbie!) Debbie is with the Autism Society of America Santa Barbara.
Sunday: Twenty California Autism organizations met on important upcoming legislation information to educate us on the upcoming items that could affect families with autistic children. The main focus of the all day (and most of the night!) meeting was:
1) Set up talks between the Autism groups
2) Organize efforts and begin communication
3) Have a unified voice to the Capitol on what families with autism need
Here is the mission statement we architected:
California Autism Coalition
Consensus Statement
Who We Are:
The California Autism Coalition is comprised of organizations which represent, support and advocate for individuals affected with autism spectrum disorders and their families. We unite to protect and advance their rights to services, treatments, research, and support. We are committed to a society that values all people and supports their rights to dignity, freedom, choice, quality of life, and the opportunity to reach full potential.
1) Autism Society of California (ASC)
2) Families for Early Autism Treatment (FEAT)
3) Unlocking Autism (UA)
4) Autism Society of America (ASA)-Central California
5) ASA-Coachella Valley
6) ASA-Greater Long Beach/South Bay
7) ASA-Inland Empire
8) ASA-North County San Diego
9) ASA-Northern California
10) ASA-San Diego County
11) ASA-San Francisco/Parents Helping Parents
12) ASA-San Gabriel
13) ASA-Ventura County
14) M.I.N.D. Institute
15) Nor-Cal Aspergers and Autism Parent Group
16) Parents Helping Parents
17) Sacramento Asperger Syndrome Information and Support group
18) The Schafer Autism Report
19) Talk About Curing Autism (TACA)
20) United Autism Alliance (UAA)
It was amazing day! The Autism Society of America President, Dean Wilson and his wife Caroline did a great job organizing the event and making such a wonderful working environment. There were amazing people in the room I had never had a chance to meet until then. It was a great day and we accomplished so much in a short period of time. When we can all work together we will all achieve more FASTER!!! Yea to the California Autism Coalition!
Monday:
Marty Omoto of the CA Coalition of United Cerebral Palsy Associations organized another rally with approximately 3,000 people present. People supporting all disabilities were there including: cerebral palsy, hearing impaired and the deaf, adult care for the disabled, mental retardation, autism and many others. I was amazed and moved by all who participated. To see some really cool pictures and the rally in action – please see: http://www.nedasoft.com/asasb/rally.htm. The great Debbie Hosseini took these with her digital camera! (Thank you Debbie!) Debbie is with the Autism Society of America Santa Barbara.
Following
the Rally, many of the participants went to the Capitol and were present at the
Budgets hearing for Health & Human Services to discuss the potential budget
cuts that could affect all of our families. This caused me additional
tears and provided even more inspiration!
After being introduced on the senate floor with Sherlene Allen from United
Autism Alliance, I had the opportunity to actually meet and talk to 7 senators,
assemblyman and their support staff to talk to them about Autism. This was a
really great experience for me.
The weekend flew by and before I knew it, I was back home to my family. I wish you all could have been there to witness these amazing events. I hope you all feel like you were there. We all know you were there in spirit!
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4) THE LATEST VACCINE NEWS –
From the Autism Autoimmunity Project
Action
Alert - April 6, 2003 -
Laura Bono, Lori McIlwain, April Oakes and Jo Pike
The Right To Fight Mercury Damage Campaign
www.factsformedia.com
NEEDS
IMMEDIATE RESPONSE: Vaccine-Injury Bill Goes to Mark up in HELP Committee,
Wednesday, April 9th -
Dear Parents in the Autism Community,
First, you should know that Senator Kennedy, Minority Ranking Member of the HELP Committee has been EXTREMELY impressed with all of your efforts. According to his office, they've never worked with such passionate parents on any issue and you should be commended for taking the time to be a voice for your child. Each letter that has been faxed or emailed has counted immensely, in fact, they have read every single one.
As you may
or may not know, YOUR EFFORTS have made it so that Frist's bill, scheduled for markup last Wednesday,
was rescheduled. PLEASE KNOW Sen. Frist has assured us that he intends to take
the Vaccine-Injury VICA Bill to Mark up in HELP Committee THIS WEDNESDAY, April
9th!
ACCORDING TO KENNEDY'S OFFICE, YOUR HELP IS ONCE AGAIN CRITICALLY NEEDED:
If you believe your child is vaccine injured or not, we need your letters, faxes and phone calls. The rules that need to be amended into this VICA bill should not only protect the injured now, but if ANY point in the future, the "preponderance of evidence gathers for a list of symptoms" (i.e. measles and thimerosal) and you realize your child was injured by a vaccine, you may enter a VICA claim regardless of your child's age. The point is if science catches up and a child is found to be vaccine-injured, he/she will get compensation. Period.
Let your views be heard - even if you have already done so - and especially if you have never sent a letter before. It is especially important that the Republican Senators on the Senate HELP Committee hear from us, since they seem more likely to vote with Senator Frist. MANY ARE PROBABLY HOPING THAT WE'RE BURNED OUT BUT THEY'VE NEVER SEEN THE LIKES OF US. LET'S SHOW THEM WE'LL NEVER STOP FIGHTING UNTIL WE SEE JUSTICE FOR OUR CHILDREN!
The Democratic leadership (both in and out of the HELP Committee) have been working with many families and have had many meetings to get themselves thoroughly well - versed on VICA. They have assured us that they will fight within the committee for as many amendments to Frist's bill that they can get, and they will initiate a floor fight in the Senate to add new amendments.
Once the Bill leaves the Senate, it will go to the House where Rep. Dan Burton has already educated many Representatives as to the pitfalls of the program and what parents need. We hope to add even more family friendly VICA reforms there.
This has been a long battle and we may encounter many more before we get a VICA that is FAIR TO ALL, and that makes sure that IF A CHILD HAS BEEN INJURED, the family can get compensation to help that child without an adversarial due process with VICA. VICA originally was intended to be a fast, low-cost, non-adversarial way to get help to families that needed it. We hope to restore it to its original intentions and then make it work! We need JUSTICE for all!
THE KEY TO WINNING
The key to winning is keep as much pressure as possible on the HELP Committee. THEY NEED TO KNOW WE ARE WATCHING! We need as many faxes, emails and phone calls as possible. Get your friends and relatives to write. The more, the better. We are trying to get as much publicity as possible so if you know a reporter in TV or newspapers, call them. Get a story written about this corporate protection on the backs of the vaccine injured. Press Releases will go out to National Media on Monday and Tuesday to get the word out to the public that vaccine-injured children are being denied justice.
The Democratic leadership is amazed of what we have done. Frist was forced to take amendments out of the Homeland Security Bill that had already passed the Senate and the House. THAT NEVER HAS HAPPENED BEFORE. They have seen the rallies, the ads in newspapers, and received your faxes and phone calls. THEY KNOW THE STRENGTH OF THIS COMMUNITY. Parents, WE CAN do this but we MUST keep the pressure on lawmakers to do the right thing.
Here is a real letter from a parent that outlines the items that we must ask for. The idea here is to make sure all Senators know what we want as a community, then they will work their hardest to deal to get as much as possible. This is a sample letter for your review – please personalize it to meet your needs!!
Dear Senator ____,
Right now thousands of vaccine-injured children have no justice. They were vaccinated to insure herd immunity only to have a vaccine reaction.
The Vaccine Injured in the Autism Community want:
1. Fair, open hearings on VICA instead of backroom deals for our children.
2. ALL children injured by vaccines, regardless of age, allowed into the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program and ALL allowed to file a civil suit should they be denied compensation or do not agree with the VICA settlement.
3. The "Table of Injuries" needs to be addressed to allow change in the process of remediation. The Table is too strict and does not allow for winning a claim based on "the preponderance of evidence" that is sorely needed within the program for its survival.
My son, _________, has been diagnosed with mercury poisoning. He has been chelating for 2 ½ years and we are STILL getting mercury out. At 16 months old, he received 144 times the EPA limit of mercury for an adult.
But _______ can't file for damages through VICA because he is out of the statute of limitations. He sits in his lonely word, hardly able to speak and plays with Sesame Street characters at 9 years old. SHAME if you vote against him and children like him. SHAME if you choose MERCURY POISONING over JUSTICE. SHAME if you let drug companies off the hook while thousands of children suffer.
In just 10 years, the U.S. has lost more little boys to autism than SIX TIMES the total killed in all the years of the Vietnam War! Now this lost generation needs to be compensated for their losses due to the National Interest. They are the collateral damage of the war on disease. For that, they have paid with their childhood and their future.
Republicans
and Democrats have been given a big fat issue on their plates. They can do the
right thing or the wrong thing. There is no middle. There is no compromise. Either you are
for mercury-poisoning and drug companies, or you are for children and justice.
Sincerely,
Name of
Family of injured child
We MUST FIGHT FOR OUR KIDS NOW!
Parents, we need everyone to write these Senators BUT ESPECIALLY if you are from the following six states. These Senators are ones that we may persuade to swing over to our side. They listen to all but especially their constituents. The first four are on the HELP Committee. The next three will be critical once the bill gets to the floor of the Senate but must know your views NOW:
Seven Senators in Six States are:
Jeffords,
James (I - VT)
728 HART SENATE OFFICE
BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-5141
Fax (202) 228-0776
Graham,
Lindsey - (R - SC)
UNITED STATES SENATE WASHINGTON DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-5972
Fax: (202) 224-3808
Web Form: lgraham.senate.gov/email/email.htm
Sessions, Jeff
(R-AL)
493 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
Phone (202) 224-4124
Fax (202) 224-3149
E-mail: senator@sessions.senate.gov
DeWine,
Mike (R - OH)
140 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-2315
Fax (202) 224-6519
E-mail: dewine.senate.gov
Collins,
Susan (R - ME)
172 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-2523
Fax (202) 224-2693
E-mail: senator@collins.senate.gov
Snowe, Olympia (R - ME)
154 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-5344
Fax (202) 224-1946
E-mail: olympia@snowe.senate.gov
Chafee,
Lincoln (R-RI)
141A RUSSEL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-2921
Fax: (202) 228-2853
Web Form: chafee.senate.gov/webform.htm
New Contacts To Fax: (Dem. And Repub. Leadership Critical to Floor Fight that we must launch now)
Daschle,
Thomas (D-SC)
509 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-2321
Fax: (202) 224-7895
Web Form: daschle.senate.gov/webform.html
McCain,
John (R - AZ)
241 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
Phone (202) 224-2235
Fax (202) 228-2862
john_mccain@mccain.senate.gov
Stabenow,
Debbie (D - MI)
702 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
Phone: 224-4822
Fax (202) 228-0325
E-mail: senator@stabenow.senate.gov
PLEASE FAX AND E-MAIL YOUR LETTERS TO EACH SENATOR on the HELP (HEALTH, EDUCATION, LABOR AND PENSIONS) COMMITTEE BELOW (BUT ESPECIALLY THE REPUBLICANS AND SEN. KENNEDY):
Republicans
Gregg, Judd
(R - NH)
393 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-3324
Fax: (202) 224-4952
E-mail: mailbox@gregg.senate.gov
Frist,
William (R - TN)
416 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-3344
Fax: (202) 228-1264
E-mail: frist.senate.gov/contact.cfm
Enzi, Mike
(R - WY)
290 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-3424
Fax: (202) 228-0359
E-mail: senator@enzi.senate.gov
Alexander,
Lamar (R-TN)
UNITED STATES SENATE WASHINGTON DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-4944
Fax: (202) 228-3398
E-mail: alexander.senate.gov/contact.cfm
Bond,
Christopher (R - MO)
274 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-5721
Fax (202) 224-8149
E-mail: kit_bond@bond.senate.gov
Roberts,
Pat (R - KS)
302 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-4774
Fax (202) 224-3514
E-mail: roberts.senate.gov/email.htm
Ensign,
John (R - NV)
364 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-6244
Fax (202) 228-2193
E-mail: ensign.senate.gov/contact_john/contactjohn_email.html
Warner,
John (R - VA)
225 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-2023
Fax: (202) 224-6295
E-mail: senator@warner.senate.gov
Democrats:
Kennedy,
Edward - (D - MA)
317 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-4543
Fax: (202) 224-2417
senator@kennedy.senate.gov
Edwards,
John (D - NC)
225 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-3154
Fax (202) 228-1374
E-mail: edwards.senate.gov/contact.html
Dodd,
Christopher (D - CT)
448 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
Phone (202) 224-2823
Fax (202) 228-1683
E-mail: dodd.senate.gov/webmail/
Harkin, Tom
(D - IA)
731 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
Phone (202) 224-3254
Fax (202) 224-9369
E-mail: tom harkin@harkin.senate.gov
Mikulski,
Barbara (D - MD)
709 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-4654
Fax (202)224-8858
E-mail: senator@mikulski.senate.gov
Bingaman,
Jeff (D - NM)
703 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510Phone:
(202) 224-5521
Fax (202) 224-2852
E-mail: senator_bingaman@bingaman.senate.gov
Murray,
Patty (D - WA)
173 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-2621
Fax: (202) 224-0238
E-mail: senator_murray@murray.senate.gov
Reed, Jack
(D - RI)
320 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4642
Fax (202) 224-4680
E-mail: jack@reed.senate.gov
Clinton,
Hillary (D - NY)
476 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-4451
D.C. Fax (202) 228-0282
Long Island Fax (631) 249-2847
Email: clinton.senate.gov/email_form.html
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5) General News:
IDEA
Rapid Response Network (RRN)
News Briefing #23 April 4, 2003
From the RRN Action Committee about IDEA LAW REFORM:
Please forward this briefing to others who want to work to protect IDEA.
ALERT: The House Subcommittee on Education and Reform approved H.R. 1350, “Improving Education Results for Children with Disabilities Act” at markup on April 2. It will go to the full House Committee on Education and the Workforce on Wednesday, April 9. Parents, advocates, and friends of children with disabilities need to act now to defeat this bill. The bill weakens IDEA in sweeping ways and will harm children with disabilities. RRN Action Alert #A3 presented an analysis of the bill’s provisions.
WHAT TO DO: Immediately CALL or FAX or EMAIL the members of Congress who sit on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. Use the Contact List below.
WHAT TO SAY:
1. Three-year IEPS and the elimination of short-term objectives and benchmarks gut the civil rights protections of IDEA and remove school accountability for educating children with disabilities.
2. H.R. 1350 does not contain full funding for IDEA and thus does nothing to ensure that additional resources will accompany these major changes to the law. The bill diverts funds away from direct services to children with disabilities and allows money to be used for a new prereferral program, to supplant local education funds, to provide “supplemental services,” and to be used for purposes other than the provision of services.
3. The discipline provisions of H.R. 1350 punish children with disabilities for disability-related behaviors, remove the civil rights protections of IDEA for children with disabilities, and deny children with disabilities the appropriate supports they need to succeed in school.
4. The bill permits the development of state voucher programs that would send some students with disabilities to private schools that are not accountable under the law.
5. Voluntary binding arbitration, forced settlement discussions without an attorney, waiting periods, and statutes of limitations make it impossible for parents to participate in the process, to monitor school services and supports or to adequately protect their children.
Please send a copy of your fax or email to DREDF as well as to the Committee fax number as a whole. If you have also made a phone call, please let us know.
DREDF fax: 510-841-8645
DISCIPLINE: DREDF is particularly concerned about H.R. 1350’s discipline provisions.
* The bill allows schools to unilaterally expel any child with a disability whom it determines to have violated any school “code of conduct,” regardless of severity, and to place the child in an alternative interim setting for up to 45 days. Under this provision, a student could be expelled for chewing gum, shouting out in class, or carrying a plastic eating utensil in their lunch box.
* The bill eliminates the “manifestation determination” review process altogether, which protects students from being unfairly punished for actions that are beyond their control because they are a result of students’ disabilities.
* The bill eliminates the requirement for functional behavioral assessments.
* The bill eliminates the requirement for positive behavioral interventions.
Thus this bill allows school district personnel to remove a disabled child from his or her current placement for the violation of ANY school rule so long as the same duration of discipline would apply to non-disabled students. This removal could take place EVEN IF the behavior was a manifestation of the child's disability. The bill would punish children for behavior that they cannot control, a repudiation of everything that the IDEA and the ADA stand for.
CONTACT LIST:
Committee
on Education and the Workforce
U. S. House of Representatives
2181 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
(202) 225-4527
TDD/TTY: (202) 226-3372
Link to web sites of Representative’s Offices:
http://www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW.html
Washington, DC: (202) 225-6205
FAX 202-202-225-0704
EMAIL john.boehner@mail.house.gov
Toll free in Ohio: (800) 582-1001
Republican Members
Thomas E.
Petri, Wisconsin
(Vice Chairman)
Washington, DC: 202/225-2476
FAX: 202-225-2356
EMAIL:
Toll-free in Wisconsin: 800/242-4883
Cass Ballenger, North Carolina
Washington, DC: 202-225-2576
EMAIL: cass.ballenger@mail.house.gov
FAX: 202-225-0316
Toll free in NC only: 800-477-2576
Peter Hoekstra, Michigan
Washington, DC: (202)225-4401
FAX: 202-226-0779
EMAIL tellhoek@mail.house.gov
Holland District Office (616)395-0030
Muskegon District Office: (231)722-8386
Cadillac District Office (231)775-0050
Howard "Buck" McKeon, California
Washington, DC: (202) 225-1956
FAX: 202-226-0683
EMAIL: tellbuck@mail.house.gov
Santa Clarita District Office: 661) 254-2111
Michael N. Castle, Delaware
Washington DC: (202) 225-4165
FAX: 202-225-2291
EMAIL: Go to website: www.house.gov/castle
Wilmington Office: (302) 428-1902
Dover Office: (302) 736-1666
Toll Free: (800) 292-9541
Sam Johnson, Texas
Washington, DC: (202) 225-4201
FAX: 202-225-1485
EMAIL: go to website: www.samjohnson.house.gov
District Office: (972) 470-0892
James C. Greenwood, Pennsylvania
Washington, DC: (202) 225-4276
FAX: 202-225-9511
EMAIL: Go
to website – www.house.gov/greenwod
Doylestown Office: (215) 348-7511
Langhorne Office: (215) 752-7711
Charlie Norwood, Georgia
Washington, DC: (202) 225-4101
FAX: 202-226-0776
EMAIL: Go
to website – www.house.gov/norwood
Augusta Office: (706) 733-7066
Toccoa Office: (706) 886-2776
Fred Upton, Michigan
Washington, DC: (202) 225-3761
EMAIL: tellupton@mail.house.gov
FAX: 202-225-4986
Kalamazoo Office: (269) 385-0039
St. Joseph Office: (269) 982-1986
Vernon J. Ehlers, Michigan
Washington, DC: 202/225-3831
FAX: 202-225-5144
EMAIL: Go to website - www.house.gov/ehlers
Grand Rapids Office: 616/451-8383
Jim DeMint, South Carolina
Washington, DC: (202) 225-6030
FAX: 202-226-1177
EMAIL: jim.demint@mail.house.gov
Greenville Office: (864) 232-1141
Spartanburg Office: (864) 582-6422
Union Office: (864) 427-2205
Johnny Isakson, Georgia
Washington, DC: 202-225-4501
FAX: 202-225-4656
EMAIL: ga06@mail.house.gov
Georgia District Office: 404-252-5239
Judy Biggert, Illinois
Washington, DC: 202-225-3515
FAX: 202-225-9420
EMAIL: Go to website: www.judybiggert.house.gov
District Office: 630-655-2052
Todd Russell Platts, Pennsylvania
Washington, DC: (202) 225-5836
FAX: 202-202-226-1000
EMAIL: Go
to website: www. house.gov/platts
Toll Free: 1-877-902-1919
Adams County Office: (717) 338-1919
Cumberland Co. Office: (717) 249-0190
York County Office: (717) 600-1919
Patrick J. Tiberi, Ohio
Washington, DC: (202) 225-5355
FAX: 202-226-4523
EMAIL: Go
to website: www.house.gov/tiberi
Time Sensitive Matters: 614-523-2555
District Office: (614) 523-2555
Ric Keller, Florida
Washington, DC: (202) 225-2176
FAX: 202-225-0999
EMAIL: Go to website: www.house.gov/keller
Orlando District Office: (407) 872-1962
Eustis District Office: (888) 642-1211
Oscala District Office: (888) 642-1211
Tom Osborne, Nebraska
Washington, DC: 202-225-6435
FAX: 202-226-1385
EMAIL: Go to website – www.house.gov/osborne
Scottsbluff
District Office: 308-632-3333
Grand Island District Office: 308-381-5555
Joe Wilson, South Carolina
Washington, DC: (202) 225-2452
FAX: 202-225-2455
EMAIL: joe.Wilson@mail.house.gov
Lowcountry
District Office: (843) 521-2530
The Midlands District Office: (803) 939-0041
Thomas Cole, Oklahoma
Washington, DC: 202-225-6165
FAX: 202-225-3512
EMAIL: tom.cole@mail.house.gov
Norman Office: 405-329-6500
Lawton Office: 580-357-2131
Jon C. Porter, Nevada
Washington, DC: 202-225-3252
FAX: 202-225-2185
EMAIL: Go to website – www.house.gov/porter
John Kline, Minnesota
Washington, DC: :(202) 225-2271
FAX: 202-225-2595
EMAIL: john.kline@mail.house.gov
Toll Free at: (888) 808-6644
Burnsville District Office: :(952) 808-1213
John R. Carter, Texas
Washington, DC: 202-225-3864
FAX: 202-225-5886
EMAIL: Go
to website: www.house.gov/carter
Round Rock Office: 512-246-1600
College Station Office: 979-846-6068
Marilyn N. Musgrave, Colorado
Washington, DC: (202) 225-4676
FAX: 202-225-5870
EMAIL: rep.musgrave@mail.house.gov
Loveland Office:(970) 663-3536
Greeley Office: (970) 352-4037
Sterling
Office: (970) 522-1788
Las Animas Office: (719) 456-0925
Marsha Blackburn, Tennessee
Washington, DC: 202-225-2811
FAX: 202-225-3004
EMAIL: Go to website: www.house.gov/blackburn
Clarksville Office; 931-503-0391
Memphis Office: 901-382-5811
Franklin Office: 615-591-5161
Phil Gingrey, Georgia
Washington, DC: 202-225-2931
FAX: 202-225-2944
EMAIL: gingrey.ga@mail.house.gov
Carrollton District Office: 770-836-8130
Marietta District Office:770-429-1776
Rome District Office: 706-290-1776
Max Burns, Georgia
Washington, DC: 202-225-2823
FAX: 202-225-3377
EMAIL: max.burns@mail.house.gov
August
Office: 706-854-4595
Statesboro Office: 912-764-4589
Savannah Office: 912-352-1736
Democrat Members
George
Miller, California
(Ranking Minority Member)
Washington, DC: (202) 225-2095
FAX: 202-225-5609
EMAIL: george.miller@mail.house.gov
Concord District Office: (925) 602-1880
Richmond District Office: (510) 262-6500
Vallejo District Office: (925) 602-1880
Dale E. Kildee, Michigan
Washington, DC: 202-225-3611
FAX: 202-225-6393
EMAIL: dkildee@mail.house.gov
Flint District Office: 810-239-1437
Toll Free to MI Offices 1-800-662-2685
Major R. Owens, New York
Washington, DC: (202) 225-6231
FAX: 202-226-0112
EMAIL: Go to website – www.house.gov/owens
District Office 1: (718) 773-3100
Donald M. Payne, New Jersey
Washington, DC: (202) 225-3436
FAX: 202-225-4160
EMAIL: Go
to website – www.house.gov/payne
Newark Office: (973) 645-3213
Elizabeth Office: (908) 629-0222
Robert E. Andrews, New Jersey
Washington, DC: (202) 225 - 6501
FAX: 202-225-6583
EMAIL: rob.andrews@mail.house.gov
District Offices: (856) 546 - 5100
Lynn C. Woolsey, California
Washington, DC: (202) 225-5161
FAX: 202-225-5163
EMAIL: Go to website – woolsey.house.gov
Marin
Office:(415) 507-9554
Sonoma County Office: (707) 542-7182
Rubén Hinojosa, Texas
Washington, DC: (202) 225-2531
FAX: 202-225-5688
EMAIL: rep.hinojosa@mail.house.gov
McAllen Office: (956) 682-5545
Beeville Office: (361) 358-8400
Carolyn McCarthy, New York
Washington, DC: 202-225-5516
FAX: 202-225-5758
EMAIL: Go to website – www.house.gov/carolynmccarthy
Hempstead: 516-489-7066
John F. Tierney, Massachusetts
Washington, DC: 202-225-8020
FAX: 202-225-5915
EMAIL: Go to website: www.house.gov/tierney
Peabody Office: 978-531-1669
Lynn Office: 781-595-7375
Ron Kind, Wisconsin
Washington, DC: 202-225-5506
FAX: 202-225-5739
EMAIL: Go to website: www.house.gov/kind
LaCrosse Office: 608-782-2558
Eau Claire Office: 715-831-9214
Dennis J. Kucinich, Ohio
Washington, DC: 202-225-5871
FAX: 202-225-5745
EMAIL: Go to website: www.house.gov/kucinich
Lakewood Office: 216-228-8850
Parma Office: 440-845-2707
David Wu, Oregon
Washington, DC: 202-225-0855
FAX: 202-225-9497
EMAIL: Go to website: www.house.gov/wu
Portland: 503-326-2901
Rush D. Holt, New Jersey
Washington, DC: 202-225-5801
FAX: 202-225-6025
EMAIL: Go to website - holt.house.gov
Princeton Junction Office: 609-750-9365
Susan Davis, California
Washington, DC: 202-225-2040
FAX: 202-225-2948
EMAIL: susan.davis@mail.house.gov
San Diego Office: 619-280-5353
Betty McCollum, Minnesota
Washington, DC: 202-225-6631
FAX: 202-225-1968
EMAIL: Go to website – www.house.gov/mccollum
St. Paul Office: 651-224-9191
Danny Davis, Illinois
Washington, DC: 202-225-5641
FAX: 202-225-5641
EMAIL: Go to website – www.house.gov/davis
Chicago Office: 773-533-7520
Maywood Office: 708-345-6857
Ed Case, Hawaii
Washington, DC: 202-225-4906
FAX: 202-225-4987
EMAIL: ed.case@mail.house.gov
Honolulu Office: 808-541-1986
Raul M. Grijalva, Arizona
Washington, DC: 202-225-2435
FAX: 202-226-6846
EMAIL: raul.grijalva@mail.house.gov
Tucson Office: 520-622-6788
Denise L. Majette, Georgia
Washington, DC: 202-225-1605
FAX: 202-226-0691
EMAIL: Go to website – www.house.gov/majette
Decatur Office: 404-633-0927
Chris Van Hollen, Maryland
Washington, DC: 202-225-5341
FAX: 202-225-0375
EMAIL: chris.vanhollen@mail.house.gov
Rockville Office: 301-424-3501
Timothy J. Ryan, Ohio
Washington, DC: 202-225-5261
FAX: 202-225-3719
EMAIL: tim.ryan@mail.house.gov
Youngstown Office: 330-740-0193
Timothy H. Bishop, New York
Washington, DC: 202-225-3826
FAX: 202-225-3143
EMAIL: tim.bishop@mail.house.gov
Coram Office: 631-696-6500
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5) Autism Awareness month = April
Office Depot Launches In-Store Awareness Campaign in Support of National Autism Month
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Company Donates Additional $25,000 to the National Alliance for Autism Research PRINCETON, N.J. & DELRAY BEACH, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 3, 2003-- As National Autism Awareness month kicks off, Office Depot, Inc., (NYSE:ODP) is teaming up with the National Alliance for Autism Research (NAAR) to launch an in-store awareness campaign in Office Depot's more than 860 retail stores across North America. Office Depot's point-of-purchase program provides customers throughout North America with the opportunity to support biomedical research focusing on autism spectrum disorders. These disorders affect people of all racial, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds and occur in an estimated one in every 250 births each year. The educational campaign, which runs through April 30, encourages customers to donate $1, $5 or $10 to NAAR at check out. All proceeds will go to NAAR to benefit autism research. The program also includes an awareness component, with each store featuring informational brochures, posters and video presentations that inform customers and employees about autism and about NAAR. "We are excited to be partnering with Office Depot in this important initiative that will both educate the general public about autism spectrum disorders and accelerate the pace of research," said Prisca Chen Marvin, Esq., president of NAAR. "We are also grateful for the outstanding support Office Depot has given to NAAR as we continue to search for answers to this devastating disorder." In addition to the point-of-purchase program in April, Office Depot will provide NAAR with a $25,000 donation to further the advancement of autism research projects. "Despite the strikingly high prevalence and significant national interest in autism, research remains considerably under funded," said Bruce Nelson, Chairman and CEO of Office Depot. "We are pleased to lend our support to NAAR as they seek to find a cure for autism and improve the quality of life for those struggling with it." According to NAAR, autism is a complex brain disorder that often inhibits a person's ability to communicate, respond to surroundings, or form relationships with others. Autism is considered a spectrum disorder because symptoms and severity vary from individual to individual. Recent prevalence studies suggest that more than 1 million Americans are living with an autism spectrum disorder, such as Asperger Syndrome, Autistic Disorder, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD), Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) or Rett Syndrome. Few disorders are as devastating to a child and his or her family. While some people with autism are mildly affected, most people with the condition will require lifelong supervision and care and have severe language impairments. Many children with autism will never be able to tell their parents they love them. About NAAR Established in 1994, the National Alliance for Autism Research (NAAR) is the first national non-governmental organization in the country dedicated to funding and accelerating biomedical research for autism spectrum disorders. The organization was established by parents of children with autism concerned about the limited amount of funding for autism research. To date, NAAR has committed more than $10 million in grants for biomedical research projects worldwide that seek to find the causes, prevention, effective treatments and, ultimately, a cure for autism spectrum disorders. Walk F.A.R. for NAAR is the organization's signature fundraising and autism awareness event, which is held annually in numerous communities across the United States. Additionally, NAAR was instrumental in establishing the Autism Tissue Program, a parent-led brain tissue donation program for autism research. About Office Depot No one sells more office products to more customers in more countries than Office Depot. The Company operates under the Office Depot(R), Viking Office Products(R), Viking Direct(R) and 4Sure.com(R) brand names. As of December 28, 2002, Office Depot operated 867 office supply superstores in the United States and Canada, in addition to a national business-to-business delivery network supported by 24 delivery centers, more than 60 local sales offices and 13 regional call centers. Furthermore, the Company sells products and services in 20 countries outside of the United States and Canada, including 37 office supply stores in France and 13 in Japan that are owned and operated by the Company; and 121 additional office supply stores under joint venture and licensing agreements operating under the Office Depot(R) name in seven foreign countries. The Company also operates an award-winning U.S. Office Depot brand Web site at www.officedepot.com where customers can access Office Depot's low competitive prices seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day, as well as a new Spanish language Web site at http://espanol.officedepot.com. The Company also operates 31 other Web sites in the U.S. and 14 international countries including: Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Japan, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Office Depot's common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol ODP and is included in the S&P 500 Index.
CONTACT: National Alliance for Autism Research, Princeton Joe Guzzardo, 609/430-9160, ext. 17 jguzzardo@naar.org OR Office Depot, Delray Beach Brian Levine, 561/438-2895 blevine@officedepot.com
SOURCE: Office Depot, Inc. |
County of Orange on April 1st recognizes APRIL AS AUTISM AWARENESS month thanks to Project SEA Gil Murro! Wish you all could have been there!
Special Note: COSTA MESA CITY COUNCIL MEMBER & TACA FAMILY GARY MONAHAN (and Skosh Monahan’s restaurant owner) is working on City Autism Awareness Resolution for the month of April as well!
Cities with resolutions include: Placentia, Costa Mesa
Come show your support at a City Proclamation for Autism Awareness month!
Wear a picture of your child and your autism awareness pin!
Newport Beach City – April 8th at 6:30pm
We need folks to show up to show support for autism awareness! If you can make it or need additional information please email: monahanclan@msn.com
Additional things to do for Autism Awareness month:
a) Wear an Autism Awareness ribbon or purchase a bag, hat or other autism awareness item: www.stitches4autism.com or CAN has a flavor at www.cureautismnow.org or another cute source Moms on a mission for autism: http://momsonamissionforautism.org/MoMA_SHOP.shtml
b) Write a letter to your state senate representative about budget cuts to special education! Write a letter to your US Representatives about vaccine reform or budget allocations for autism research and treatment AND IDEA legislation
- TACA will be working on some fundraising efforts in April to honor autism awareness month with ribbons and other great supplies! These are only available at the next TACA April meeting!
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DISCOUNTED SUPPLIES FOR SALE AT NEXT TACA MEETING:
We get a lot of requests for supplies and products to be sold at TACA meetings. Here is a list of items for sale at the TACA Costa Mesa April 12th meeting for your review:
- ANDI BARS: (in four flavors) ANDI Bars are Gluten, casein, soy, corn, egg and nut free (excluding one variety.) $2.00 each or $27.00 for a case of 15.
- Autism Awareness Metal Pins: The classic autism awareness puzzle piece pin in durable metal. These pins are very hard to find. Cost per pin $3.00
- Cure Autism Now: Discounted Baseball hats, t-shirts, coffee mugs
- Great Moms on A Mission Wear: T-shirts, canvas bags and Autism awareness pins
Note: All pricing is available via cash only. I am sorry, we cannot ship to you. These are only available via the TACA Costa Mesa Meetings.
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Personal update:
This past weekend, both my kids celebrated birthdays! Lauren (our amazing web master) turned 20 (and yes, I feel as old as dirt,) and our precious Jeff is now SIX YEARS OLD. Because I was in Sacramento, I missed both their birthdays. You all know how much I love and treasure my kids (yours too) and to not be here for their birthdays broke my heart a million ways.
HOWEVER, by being in Sacramento, I got to do so much for my kids and for all families who could not be there in person to tell the people who make laws and help families what is needed. I did not go to Sacramento as the Director of TACA, my family personally paid for my ticket, hotel room and living expenses as a parent. The trip was well worth the costs, time and efforts. The folks at the State Capitol are extremely concerned about Autism. They all patiently listened to me, were very kind and wanted to help. When I marched into each State Senator or Assemblymember office with information about the rise in autism, the costs for services, the heart breaking issues we deal with day to day in caring for our kids and getting services we need – they listened. They all asked some great questions:
- They want to know why there is such an increase in the numbers of Autism cases.
- They wanted to know details on how children do receiving early start and continuing services – are these services needed
- They asked specific questions about my family and more about Jeff
- They asked a lot of questions about Autism and what it is
- They wanted to know how they could help
I am not asking families how to vote for one party or another or to vote at all. I am not asking families to contact their state and federal representatives. What I am asking you is to be informed and educate yourself on what legislation could potentially affect your families, know who your state and federal legislators are (for state info California – State Senators:
http://www.sen.ca.gov/ftp/SEN/senplan/Zip.htp , for federal info US House of Representatives - Congress: http://www.house.gov/, US Senator” http://www.senate.gov/ ) and make sure they know how you feel if something strikes a cord for your family. Remember, one cannot be angry about decisions that happen in the state and federal government if your voice is not heard!
Hugs, thanks and be safe -
Lisa A Jeff's mom
Web Page for the TACA GROUP: www.talkaboutcuringautism.org - check it out
Talk About Curing Autism (TACA) provides general information of interest to the autism community. The information comes from a variety of sources and TACA does not independently verify any of it. The views expressed herein are not necessarily TACA’s.
TACA does not engage in lobbying or other political activities.
P.S. TACA e-news is now at 567 families