Posted on 09/07/2006 7:46:01 AM PDT by WestTexasWend
WASHINGTON -- Raleigh native Clay Aiken has been appointed to serve on the President's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities.
President George W. Bush named 12 people to the panel.
Aiken, a pop singer and former "American Idol" contestant, is also well known for his work on behalf of people with autism. He launched the Bubel Aiken Foundation, which focuses on helping children with disabilities.
(Excerpt) Read more at wral.com ...
Nice to see the Pres bringing in someone with first hand expertise on the subject matter
Autism Bump
Thought you might be interested in this.
Apparenly the song "American Pie" (or whatever it was called) was about/based on him. I don't know if its true or not, but stranger things have happened.
I believe that's true; I think it's a reference to the plane crash that killed Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, and J.P. Richardson ("The Big Bopper").
I'm so proud of that young man from Raleigh! :-D
Thanks for the ping, ecurbh.
Believe "American Pie" was about James Dean.
Clay seems like a decent fellow, straight or gay
"American Pie" was about Holly (and Valens & Richardson).
Don McLean said as much at the time, and I had a chance to interview Holly's brother about 5yrs after the song was written and he talked about the resurgence in interest in Buddy it caused. Here's one of many backstories on the lyrics >>>
http://oldies.about.com/library/weekly/aa082602a.htm
I'm on a slooooow dial up connection today and the story hasn't come up yet. What is Clay Aiken's interest in autism?
Finally accessed the original story, but it does not tell why Aiken is interested in autism? Does he have someone in his family with the disability?
Aiken was studying to be a special education teacher when he auditioned for Idol. The Bubel Aiken Foundation, which he launched, focuses on helping children with disabilities including autism. The Claymates are big supporters of his foundation and help raise thousands of dollars. He's really a good kid with a great voice.
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