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Show for representation of minorities and women on the Utah State Manpower Council. He, too, Page 5 "Meet Your Legislator" A Great Success expressed his concern over the and effects on Utah minority groups because of the low-incom- e President's moratorium. He concluded by stressing the importance of continuation of the funds for the Ethnic Culture Center at Weber State College in Dennis Banks, National director of the American Indian Movement, opened dissertation by his saying, "Welcome, all of you, to Utah! Indians were the first citizens in Utah to be displaced by government programs. We surely have supplied great presentations of land to the people of this territory." Ogden. by Laura Briggs Suzanne Elder spoke for migrants. "We couldn't believe it! We panicked momentarily, then we got hot on the phone and put out an emergency call for more box lunches." Bill Biggs, former Community Action Program director, reacted in surprise to the overflow crowd of 300 plus interested citizens that appeared at the State Auditorium at noon on Tuesday, January 16, for the first "Meet Your Legislator" session. The ninety minute, informal session took on the appearance of a "soap-bopicnic" as legislators and to learn to bowl, or x talked about their stands concerning major issues of the 1973 Utah Legislature that will directly affect the the poor and the minority groups of the state. A slide presentation graphically illustrated the critical low-incom- needs of low-incom- e, and e Persons introduced minority Utah citizens, which representatives of were grouped under the general as family assistance and interested participants at the "Meet Your Legislator" session included: Ernie Cook, Chairman and health, housing, sales tax and of the Utah Association of migrants. Education, as it was outlined in the concise portfolio of facts that was presented to each participant, included proposed legislation that would provide equal educational opportunity in the form of education, relevant curriculum for varying ethnic groups in Utah and Neighborhood Councils; Chuck Brenner, Utah Housing Coalition; Ted Buzis, Union of the Poor; Bonnie Hartley, State Welfare Rights; James Dooley, NAACP; elimination of "extra" school Community Action Program; Ruth Pettajan, League of Women Voters; Dr. Lowell Bennion, Community Services Director; Dennis Banks, American Indian Movement; Naomi Evans, State PTA Chairman; and Mary Heath, Spokeswoman for the Equal Rights Amendment. Suzanne Elder spoke briefly concerning the goals of the headings of education, transporation, fees. The Community School concept was praised for its objective in "offering an opportunity for every person man, woman and child - to continue his learning to the -- extent of his ability and interests. Other issues discussed included: (1 .) eliminiation of fees for drivers' education for persons over 21 years old, (2.) tax to finance 14 sales mass free-of-char- transit system, (3.) Medicade eligibility raising level to include the working poor, (4.) increase family assistance from 80, of need to (5.) endorsement of the Uniform 75 Act, (6.) basing residential tax rate on residential tax value rather than possible Tenant-Landlor- d speculative value as a commercialindustrial site, (7.) exemption of Pood and Drugs, with three suggested options to make up the tax loss differential, from the State Sales Tax, (8.) recognition of, and extension of industrial, social and medical protection to migrant and other agricultural workers. Persons suffering from both mental and physical handicaps receive care and training at the Chuck Brenner, Utah Housing Coalition, on left and James Dooley, NAACP, spoke out against the President's moratorium on subsidized housing. Jorge Arce-Larreta- , Multiple Handicapped Training Center, a Utah United Fund on the stated issues included State Senator Moroni Jensen, sponsor of Senate Bill 6, which would, in essence, insure free public educational opportunity to all citizens in Utah who had passed their fifth birthday. Senator Don Brooke, sponsor of the Elimination of Food and Drug Tax bill, spoke briefly about his feelings on this bill. He concluded by strongly Organization for Governmetnal Employees; endorsing Utah Housing Bob Philbrick, Chairman, Salt Lake President's moratorium on public housing, saying, "It is vital to insure fair relocation of persons Spanish-Speakin- g Epifanio Welch, SOCIO; Migrant Council to make Coalition's objection to the displaced by Neighborhood Development Area projects, such as the Salt Palace and Central City areas." Representative David R. Nemelka remarked that chances for passage of Uniform Tenant-Landlor- a d workable Act appeared good, though he stated he did anticipate some changes before the bill is declared into employment of illegal aliens a misdeameanor and to work toward legislation that would make migrant workers eligible for public assistance on an equal basis with other Utah residents. James Dooley and Chuck Brenner both spoke of the He concluded by saying, "It's the squeaky wheel that gets the grease, so keep squeaking and insisting that your legislators be cognizant and aware of your needs." problems relative to the Woodmans;e is supporting Presidential moratorium on subsidized housing, Manpower Development Training Programs, Job Corps and the Neighborhood Youth Corps programs. Brenner urged citizens to "get in touch with your legislators and insist they consider the concern and welfare of the people in Utah." Legislators who attended the session to clarify their positions law. Representative Gerald passage of a bill to exempt the handicapped of the State of Utah from taxation while they are being rehabilitated, trained and probationed on a job. "At such time when they are accepted in their job on a permanent basis, and are, therefore, gainfully employed, be would on the tax they put rolls," Woodmansie explained. a Jorge spoke out Arce-Larret- Agency which specializes in treating the unique and difficult problems arising from these dual disadvantages. The seriousness of the handicaps which beset patients of this United Fund agency appalls the first-timvisitor. One feels that their situation is not only tragic but pathetic and hopeless. Fortunately the staff of the Center is prepared emotionally and professionally to do what needs to be done to enrich the lives of persons whose problems appear to be insurmountable. An illustrative case is Pat e Powers, a twenty-two-year-ol- d Salt Lake resident. Cerebral palsy left Pat with no means of communication with the world. At the Multiple Handicapped Training Center, it was determined that Pat still had some control over the muscles of left leg and foot. He was trained to use these muscles to operate a typwriter, one key at a time, with an attachment strapped to his left foot. This painstaking, tedious method of communication enabled Pat to take part in human interchange, something that had been impossible for him since his his illness. Carol Rosenhan, sixteen-year-ol- was d a Murray resident, another person whose unfortunate circumstances had isolated her from the rest of the world. Carol has limited mental abilities and also has difficulty walking. Before she came to the Center, she had no friends and nothing to do with her time. The Center has provided her the opportunity to make friendships with her own special peer group go swimming or camping. She takes part in handicrafts at her own level of capability: For her, the Center is the difference between sitting with nothing to do all day and spending each day engaged in worthwhile activities with her friends. Basic skills, fundamental academic training and the special personal care multiply handicapped persons require are provided by the Center. The training they receive often leads to simple employment and a for the feeling of self-wort- h multiply handicapped persons. The training also provides skills which enable these persons to live at home with their families rather than being confined to an institution. If you are aware of a person whose mental and physical handicaps prevent them from developing fundamental "happiness" skills call the Multiple Handicapped Training Center at Many persons are unaware of how to take advantage of services provided by the fifty United 467-357- 3. Fund agencies, or other community services. If you need assistance from a United Fund agency or another service agency, but you don't know how to get it, call the Community Services Council - 486-213they will try to direct you to the community agency best suited to help you meet your needs. 6 Helping people with mental and physical handicaps to lead a life that is meaningful to them is just one job your United Fund contribution does. The Utah United Fund annual one-per-ye- drive supports fifty local community service agencies, fifty different ways your one gift extends a helping hand to your neighbor who needs one. |