Easter Seals Awards State Public Officials with 2011 Outstanding Advocate Awards
Representatives from Iowa, New Jersey and Ohio honored by the Disability Nonprofit
(Chicago, November 7, 2011) -- Easter Seals recently honored a handful of state government members with its 2011 Outstanding Advocate Award during the organization’s annual convention in Washington D.C. Easter Seals created its Outstanding Advocate Awards to honor public officials -- elected and appointed -- for their work to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities, and for all.
The following officials were awarded as Easter Seals 2011 Outstanding Advocates having each had a significant and positive impact on the lives of people with disabilities:
- Former Iowa Governor Robert Ray for dedicating over 50 years of volunteer service to Easter Seals Iowa and Camp Sunnyside. By helping to raise funds, building relationships with both the children and adults and working with policymakers and legislative members, Robert works hard to advocate for individuals with disabilities.
- New Jersey Assemblywoman Mary Pat Angelini for advocating for people with disabilities both as a legislator and as an executive director of a non-profit agency. She has supported Easter Seals New Jersey through correspondence and site visits. She also assisted during state budget negotiations and sponsored or co-sponsored many bills that improve the lives of individuals with disabilities.
- Ohio State Senator Peggy Lehner for having long been an advocate for seniors and people with disabilities. She also submitted an amendment to extend the Home First provision to people with disabilities who would be eligible for the Ohio Home Care Waiver, which has significant positive impact on individuals with disabilities by providing needed support services in their homes.
Easter Seals 2011 Outstanding Advocate Award
In 1991, Easter Seals awarded its first Outstanding Advocate Award to recognize sustained efforts by elected and appointed officials that help forward Easter Seals’ mission to serve people with disabilities. Every honoree has gone the extra mile in making a difference for Americans with disabilities. Each believes that people with disabilities deserve a quality education, opportunities for employment, and access to health care, affordable housing, transportation and polling places.
About Easter Seals
Easter Seals is the leading non-profit provider of services for individuals with autism, developmental disabilities, physical disabilities and other special needs. For more than 90 years, Easter Seals has been offering help and hope to children and adults living with disabilities, and to the families who love them. Through therapy, training, education and support services, Easter Seals creates life-changing solutions so that people with disabilities can live, learn, work and play.
