Best Buddies New Mexico Goes to Washington
by AMANDA GONZALES
Best Buddies New Mexico
Jamar meets Olympic Gold Medalist Carl Lewis in Washington DC
Jamar and his new friend Rep Lujan on Capitol steps
Sen Tom Udall is researching the Act
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Special Olympian and New Mexico Best Buddies Ambassador JamarMcDaniels completed his Buddies United in Leadership Development (BUILD) training on December 12, and wasted no time in putting his new skills to use at a Capitol Hill Day featuring Olympian Carl Lewis, pop sensation Joe Jonas, Special Olympics CEO Timothy Shriver and Best Buddies CEO Anthony Kennedy Shriver.
Jamar, along with State Director Kevin Cronk, represented both Special Olympics and Best Buddies in asking all three of our Congressional Representatives and two Senators to co-sponsor and support the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Act that will provide funding for education, research and training programs around intellectual and developmental disabilities.
This cause has been championed for over 50 years by Eunice Kennedy Shriver- giving birth to both Special Olympics and Best Buddies.
Jamar was very pleased with the response and interest by all our congressional offices.
Representative Ben Lujan (NM-3) agreed to co-sponsor the Act, along with representatives and senators from all 50 states! As an added treat, Rep Lujan met with McDaniels and Cronk inside the Capitol Building, and although he had to run inside and make a vote or two, spent time getting to know Jamar.
Jamar said he felt like he made a new friend with Rep. Lujan. Rep Lujan even had Jamar promise to show him around when he visits!
Also, meeting with our delegation was Senator Tom Udall who took time from his busy schedule to meet Jamar. Senator Udall asked some wonderful questions and said he would consider co-signing the Act.
Rep. Harry Teague(NM-2) also made time to meet with Jamar and asked some great questions about Best Buddies and Special Olympics. Jamar credits both Special Olympics and Best Buddies for giving him the tools for a future that looks very bright.
He talked about career goals of mechanics and his love of sports. Jamar is currently working at the Y counseling youth in basketball and volleyball. He also talks about how Best Buddies brought him together with his buddy Cale, so he doesn’t feel lonely anymore.
Rep Teague agreed to read through the Act and believes in the missions of Best Buddies and Special Olympics.
Also meeting with Jamar were Adam Newman, legislative assistant to Rep. Martin Heinrich (NM-1); and Peter Zamora, Senior Education Counsel for Sen. Jeff Bingaman. (It is not unusual to meet with aides and assistant who specialize on different issues such as education).
Adding to the excitement was the State of the Union, where President Obama referred to a “special organization” representing all 50 states on Capitol Hill earlier in the day talking about jobs for individuals with disabilities.
The entire NM delegation was open to hearing why the EKS Act is necessary to create a community where each person is treated with equality and respect, regardless of disability or non-disability. Its time has come. We greatly thank our delegation for their hard work and commitment to the EKS ACT! View more photos on the Best Buddies International Facebook page |
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