FW: URGENT: Action Requested Today to Help Special Olympics in Congress

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To: grncard@...From: communication@...Subject: URGENT: Action Requested Today to Help Special Olympics in CongressDate: Wed, 16 Feb 2011 14:06:49 -0600 If you're having trouble viewing this email, you may see it online.

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ACTION NEEDED TODAY!

CONGRESSIONAL VOTE TOMORROW COULD IMPACT

SPECIAL OLYMPICS

There is a U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Resolution Bill for Fiscal Year 2011 going to vote tomorrow that we were just made aware of, which proposes dramatic cuts to a number of social programs including Special Olympics. We encourage anyone in the Special Olympics Florida community (supporters families, athletes, coaches, etc.) to call your U.S. Representative TODAY and let your voice be heard!

Please tell your friends and families to join in the effort as well! Tell Your Representative:"As a supporter of Special Olympics Florida, I ask you to vote NO on the House Continuing Appropriations Resolution for Fiscal Year 2011 that would cut funding to critically important programs, including Special Olympics."

How to Contact Your U.S. Representative

Be aware that the House of Representatives will be in Session until 7 or 8 p.m. (DC time) tonight and will start tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. When you call the House Member’s office, they may ask you if they can put you through to their “comment line”. Please say yes, and leave your message. Some offices may have this option even after staff leave for the day, so it is worth calling before or after what are considered are considered “normal” business hours.

Talking points for Calling Your Representative:

Good morning / afternoon.

I am calling to encourage a "NO" vote on the House Continuing Resolution as currently proposed.

My family and friends share your goal of balancing the budget and reducing the deficit and were pleased that this Congress has vowed to make the difficult decisions.

In 2010 alone, and in Florida alone, over 3,860 FREE Special Olympics Healthy Athletes medical screenings were conducted by over 500 volunteer health professionals at State and Area level competitions. These are services the vast majority of these athletes would never have received otherwise.

Special Olympics Florida has directly benefited from the grants this Federal funding provides both for Healthy Athletes initiatives and Project UNIFY which provide funds to start and grow new school based inclusionary activities and opportunities, benefiting children with and without intellectual disabilities.

52% of working age Special Olympics athletes in the US are employed compared to 10% of individuals with intellectual disabilities in the general population.

Special Olympics is making a difference in the lives of Florida citizens, our neighbors, our friends, our families.

We understand how difficult it will be to vote against the measure, but you were sent to Washington to make the tough decisions and to do the right thing for all of your constituents.

This Resolution is an arbitrary, hastily-crafted measure with no evidence or hearings about its impact.

We will watch your vote and hope you inform your leadership to address the real budget problems.

Thank you very much for your time.

Providing your contact info (name, address, phone and/or email) will give credibility to your comments/request.

Read more on Special Olympics' Blog

Thank you, on behalf of the 15,000 athletes of Special Olympics Florida for your action on this issue: let's help keep inclusion and health for people with intellectual disabilities a priority in the United States!

Be a Fan.

Premier Fan:

Special Olympics Florida1915 Don Wickham Drive | Clermont, FL 34711

Phone | Fax www.specialolympicsflorida.orgContact us at communication@...

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