Press Releases
UCP Honors Senator Smith & Congressman Langevin (3/22/04)
Awards Recognize Work on Behalf of Americans with Disabilities
Washington, DC, March 22, 2004 – United Cerebral Palsy (UCP), a leader in national disabilities issues and advocacy, has honored United States Senator Gordon Smith (R-OR) and Congressman James Langevin (D-RI) with its United Cerebral Palsy Congressional Leadership Awards for their work on disability issues.
Each year, United Cerebral Palsy selects one member from the United States Senate and one from the United States House of Representatives to receive its Congressional Leadership Award. The awards are given to members who have shown outstanding commitment to people with disabilities by supporting legislation and fiscal resources that enable individuals with disabilities and their families to live regular lives.
In presenting the awards at a Monday evening Capitol Hill reception, United Cerebral Palsy President and Chief Executive Officer Stephen Bennett highlighted the commitment Senator Smith and Congressman Langevin have made to people living with disabilities.
"Senator Gordon Smith has distinguished himself as a true champion for citizens with disabilities, and we are proud to recognize his steadfast leadership on our issues," said Bennett. "Senator Smith gets it. Instead of just giving lip service to or throwing dollars at disability programs, he investigates and supports initiatives that afford Americans with disabilities the best opportunity to lead full, successful lives."
Bennett noted a number of initiatives Smith has supported, including: lead co-sponsor of S.1523, a bill that will make welfare-to-work requirements fairer for welfare recipients with disabilities; lead co-sponsor of the Money Follows the Person Act, a measure that will give states a one-year, 100% Medicaid match rate for individuals moving from nursing homes and other facilities back into the community; support for assistive technology initiatives; and continual support for disability programs and appropriations while serving on the Finance and Commerce Committees.
In honoring Congressman Langevin, Bennett called him "a powerful voice and leader for the disability community through his votes, his words and his personal accomplishments." Bennett went on to say that, "as the only member of Congress with a significant and visible disability, Congressman Langevin inspires other Americans living with disabilities to achieve, and has worked tirelessly in the Congress to ensure that every citizen has access to the tools necessary to follow the example he has set."
According to Bennett, Langevin has been instrumental in supporting every meaningful piece of disability legislation before the House of Representatives since his 2000 election. Bennett particularly emphasized Langevin's leadership as co-chair of the House of Representative's Bipartisan Disabilities Caucus, and highlighted a number of specific disability initiatives Langevin has backed, including introduction of the Lifespan Respite Care Act, continuous support for the Assistive Technology Act, and meaningful work on electoral reform legislation.
United Cerebral Palsy maintains a Public Policy Collaboration with the The Arc of the United States to lead its national advocacy effort. The Collaboration focuses on issues as diverse as education, housing, transportation, employment, health care, civil rights, and assistive technology, among others.
While many needs remain unmet, much of the Collaboration’s efforts in the Second Session of the 108th Congress are focused on a budget debate that threatens deep cuts to disability programs. The Collaboration is calling on its allies – like Senator Smith and Representative Langevin – to support a budget and policies that protect, improve and expand services, supports, and benefits critical to the well-being of people with disabilities and their families.
United Cerebral Palsy’s Monday evening Capitol Hill reception capped a two-day Government Affairs Conference attended by 500 advocates for people with disabilities from across the country. The event, held in the Cannon Office Building’s Caucus Room, was sponsored by Fannie Mae. As part of its American Dream Commitment, Fannie Mae is doubling its 10-year commitment to provide mortgage financing for people with disabilities from 10,000 to 20,000.
**Photos of the award ceremony are available. Contact Daryn Demeritt at 202-973-7121.**
About United Cerebral Palsy
The mission of United Cerebral Palsy is to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with disabilities through an affiliate network. UCP is the leading source of information on cerebral palsy and is an advocate for individuals with disabilities, their families, caregivers and providers of essential programs and services.
United Cerebral Palsy is comprised of 103 affiliates in 37 states who offer a broad array of programs and services for people with disabilities, such as employment services, early intervention programs, assistive technology training, individual and family support, social and recreation programs, community living, state and local referrals, employment assistance, and advocacy. Sixty-five percent (65%) of the consumers served by UCP affiliates have disabilities other than cerebral palsy. United Cerebral Palsy is one of the nation’s most efficient charitable organizations, with a system-wide average of 85% of all revenues going to programs and services.