ASPIRO has a Public Policy Committee that is comprised of ASPIRO board members, employees and community representatives. The charge of the committee is to safeguard current legislation and advance future legislation that is beneficial to individuals with disabilities, their families and society in general.
Twenty-one years ago, co-chairs of the committee Patricia Finder-Stone and Judith Friederichs organized the first event. We thank them for their vision and setting the stage for elected officials from Northeast Wisconsin to participate in the event. And participate they have in large numbers over the years.
On January 13th we hosted our 21st Annual Legislative Breakfast in our Dousman Street gymnasium. Joining ASPIRO as sponsors of the event was the CP Center, Curative Connections, East Shore Industries in Algoma and Sunshine House in Sturgeon Bay.
The theme of the event was One Size Does Not Fit All. Elected officials heard testimonials from consumers and their parents about the critical nature of the services provided by the sponsoring agencies. We wish to thank our keynote speakers for sharing their personal stories that left lasting impressions on those in attendance.
It is our shared belief that individuals with disabilities and their significant others know what's best and should be able to choose the service setting that best meets their wants and needs; be it facility-based or community-based.
We wish to thank the elected officials or proxies who attended the event:
From the Office of U.S. Representative Mike Gallagher - Tanner Mastaw
From the Office of U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin - Jennifer Garner
State Senator Rob Cowles
State Senator Dave Hansen
State Representative Eric Genrich
State Representative Andre Jacque
State Representative Joel Kitchens
State Representative John Nygren
Mike Duschene
