Ruston Daily Leader

Press Release

U.S. Rep. Rodney Alexander, R-Quitman, met with a group of approximately 20 Louisiana citizens lobbying the Louisiana Congressional Delegation Tuesday on behalf of the National Federation of the Blind.

"It is such a pleasure to meet with this group each year," Alexander said. "They always represent the National Federation of the Blind with upbeat attitudes and demonstrate great concern for others in the blind community. I enjoy talking with them about what I can do as a member of Congress to see that their needs are met."

The group discussed their top legislative concerns with Alexander including appropriations funding for Newsline, a free service to blind, visually impaired and disabled individuals who cannot read the newspaper on their own; H.R. 3834, the Blind Persons Earnings Fairness Act, which would assist blind persons receiving Social Security Disability Insurance return to work; and the need for increased funding for the Library of Congress' Talking Books program and other initiatives to provide up-to-date recreational and education materials to the blind and physically handicapped.

Attending the meeting were several Ruston residents, including Pam Allen, executive director of the Louisiana Center for the Blind; Norma Crosby, president of the North Central Chapter of the NFB; and Roland Allen, a cane travel instructor at the Louisiana Center for the Blind.

During the meeting, Roland Allen also briefed Alexander on the NFB's hope to see legislation introduced to require hybrid cars to produce sound in order to eliminate the potential threat silent cars pose to blind people who depend on sound to safely cross the streets.

Source