News from the States
New York -- The five New York Chapters’ $250,000 Capacity Building Initiative was one of 12 legislative programs included in the New York State’s Executive Budget for 2006. Because of the good work of our Arthritis Advocates in Action, and the outstanding outcomes of our arthritis disease management courses throughout the state, our Capacity Building Initiative has been officially recognized by Governor Pataki. The funds were appropriated as part of the Governor’s $110.7 billion Executive Budget for fiscal 2006-07 under New York State Department of Health “Special Initiatives.”
Rhode Island -- The Arthritis Foundation, Northern and Southern New England Chapter presented Rhode Island’s four Congressional leaders with its Hope Through Heroes Award at a breakfast reception held on April 19. The award served to honor the Members of Congress from Rhode Island for their dedication to decreasing the burden of arthritis on Rhode Islanders through their co-sponsorship of the Arthritis Prevention Control and Cure Act.
Fifty people, including Rhode Island’s Arthritis Advocates, people of all ages with arthritis, and rheumatologists, came together to thank Senators Jack Reed and Lincoln Chafee and Representatives Patrick Kennedy and James Langevin. Presenters represented the various populations that the Arthritis Foundation serves, including children, young adults and elders.
The media was invited to participate, the local NBC affiliate, WJAR NBC 10, ran a story highlighting the event on the 6:00 pm news that evening.
Pictured left to right are: Stephen Evangelista, President and CEO of the Arthritis Foundation; Senator Lincoln D. Chafee; Max Cohen of Warwick; Samantha Burns (back), a Barrington High School senior; Smithfield resident Margaret Dunning (front); Representative Patrick J. Kennedy; Nancy Langrall, policy advisor for Senator Jack Reed; and Renay Houle, the Arthritis Foundation’s advocacy chairperson. Representative James R. Langevin, who also received the award, was unable to attend. |
