From: Andy Baracco 
Subject: Urgent Action alert (fwd)
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Date: Tue, 16 Sep 1997 15:56:31 -0400 (EDT)
From: Julie Carroll 
To: juliec@access.digex.net
Subject: Urgent Action alert
To:       ACB Advocates
From:          Julie Carroll
          Director of Governmental Affairs
          American Council of the Blind
Date:          September 16, 1997
Re:       Urgent Action Alert
The House is scheduled to consider its Labor-HHS-Ed
Appropriations bill (HR 2264) this afternoon.  An amendment is
expected from Representative Peter Hoekstra (R-MI), which is very
similar to the Gorton Amendment just passed in the Senate, except
that the Hoekstra Amendment reportedly does not block grant funds
from the rehabilitation, adult education, and vocational
education budgets.  The Hoekstra amendment is a watered down
version of the Gorton amendment.  It will divert funds intended
for the Helen Keller National Center, School to Work, the
Administration's program to get computers in every classroom,
Tech Act grants,  possibly the American Printing House for the
Blind, and many other important federally funded education
programs and convert these funds to local education agencies with
virtually no requirements on how the money must be spent.  While
the Hoekstra amendment is an improvement over the Gorton
Amendment in its impact on vocational rehabilitation, it would
still be devastating to federal education programs.
Contact your Representatives at 202-225-3121 IMMEDIATELY and ask
them to oppose the Hoekstra amendment.  There is no time to E-
Mail your Representatives.  They must hear from you NOW.
 
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