ATTN: Long Islanders in ASD community

[Guest guest]

I'm trying to reach as many Long Islanders as possible, so please excuse the

cross-posting. This issue affects all people in the LI autism community.

About an hour ago I met with D. Farber who is a congressional aide

for US Rep. Bishop of the 1st District in New York (suffolk co).

I came prepared with these five requests:

1. Please Co-Sponsor TEACH Act of 2003:

HR 1700 -- " To provide assistance to train teachers of children with autism

spectrum disorders, and for other purposes. "

2. Please join CARE:

Coalition for Autism Research and Education.

http://www.house.gov/doyle/autism.html?AddInterest=1060

3. Please Co-Sponsor The " Burton-Pallone " Bill:

HR 1349 -- " To amend the Public Health Service Act with respect to the

National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program "

4. Support a ban of the use of Thimerosal (mercury)

5. Please help us organize a ³town meeting² for the autism community in

Suffolk County.

This April, Autism Awareness Month, would be the perfect time to bring

hundreds of parents, teachers, and loved ones together to discuss the

services and needs of our ever growing autism community.

---------------

As soon as I walked into the 10 minute meeting, Mr. Farber asked me what I

wanted to talk about. When I said " AUTISM " , HE was the one who said to me

first that it was an epidemic, every child is different, and people just

don't understand about it. I was shocked. He then told me how he was a

teacher before working for Bishop's office. Anyway, I think we have a great

opportunity here and I would LOVE it if everyone could call Bishop's office

THIS WEEKEND in support of an Autism Community Town Meeting with him.

Mr. Farber thought it was a great idea, and I think we need to show Rep.

Bishop that there are a lot of us out there- with a variety of problems.

It doesn't matter if you are from DDI or Just Kids, if you do or don't

believe in the Thimerosal link, if you believe in Verbal Behavior vs DDT.

WE ALL need more help for our children- better trained/payed teachers, fully

funded No Child Left Behind, upholding IDEA, community awareness, etc.....

Mr. Farber mentioned that many parents have contacted his office already-

which is great to hear. I had to pick a few issues to bring up at the

meeting today- i know there are many more- and you ALL should be heard.

Please take 2 minutes to help out.

Here is the contact info:

US REP: Tim Bishop

Washington Office: 1133 Longworth H.O.B. Washington, DC 20515

(202)225-3826 (202)225-3143 (fax)

Coram Office: 3680 Route 112, Suite C Coram, NY  11727

(631)696-6500 (631)696-4520 (fax)

Southampton Office: 33 Flying Point Road, Suite 119 Southampton, NY 11968

(631)259-8450

website: http://wwwc.house.gov/timbishop/

" write your representative " website

http://www.house.gov/writerep/

Farber's email : (same phone numbers as above)

brian.farber@...

**************PLEASE CALL WRITE OR EMAIL AND ASK ***********

******* FOR AN AUTISM COMMUNITY TOWN MEETING IN APRIL**********

Thank you very much,

Heeren. Middle Island, NY

christine@...

http://www.justparentsforautism.com

" we're not some big company or organization. we are just parents,

who want to help our kids "