[summer]

Many people outside of Florida may not realize that when Gov. Bush announced he was running for reelection as governor, his reelection papers were filed by a Hispanic mother of three, who is the parent of a severely disabled child - and, a Broward County activist on issues concerning the disabled.

Her decision to file Gov. Bush's reelection papers followed an extension dialogue she had with the governor about the disabled, and Gov. Bush keeping his promise to substantially increase funding for the disabled.

Although the press release from Gov. Bush's campaign web site, below, did not mention she is a Dem, I read that in several FL newspapers. Most FL newspapers carried her photo, and she can be seen, below, with her disabled daughter, speaking to the press after she filed the reelection papers for Gov. Bush.



For Immediate Release
Thursday, July 5, 2001 Contact: Karen Unger (850) 224-4532

MOTHER OF CHILD WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES FILES CAMPAIGN PAPERWORK FOR GOVERNOR

TALLAHASSEE - Praising Governor Jeb Bush for his commitment to Florida citizens with developmental disabilities like her own daughter, Lucy, Berthy De La Rosa-Aponte today filed the official paperwork with the State Division of Elections in Tallahassee to make Governor Jeb Bush a candidate for re-election.

De La Rosa-Aponte, 50, the mother of three children, was joined by her husband Milton and two of her children as she filed the paperwork for Governor Bush at the Division of Elections Headquarters office at the State Capitol.

Standing by her youngest child, Lucy, who has significant cognitive and physical developmental disabilities, De La Rosa-Aponte described Governor Jeb Bush as "a person that understands and believes in all people, people of different backgrounds, and people with different abilities like my daughter, Lucy."

"When Governor Bush ran four years ago he said that Florida could do better; well, Florida has done better. For the first time in a long time citizens with developmental disabilities in this state have done better too," De La Rosa-Aponte said. "I've spent my life advocating for people with developmental disabilities, and I'm in a strong position to judge this Administration's actions on an issue so critical to my family. Jeb Bush doesn't just talk about the needs of Floridians. He delivers."

De La Rosa-Aponte and her family met the Governor more than three years ago at Peaceful Haven Group home in Broward County, where they reside. At first De La Rosa-Aponte said she was skeptical of Bush as he toured the home, but quickly her opinion changed.

"Governor Bush has learned that people with disabilities have dreams just like any other citizen does. They want to contribute to society, to have a job, a home, a family, to be accepted as equal citizens," De La Rosa-Aponte said. "Lucy may not be able to speak, but that doesn't mean that she doesn't have anything to say, to share and to learn. We just need to open our hearts and listen. Jeb Bush has done that."

"I am honored and humbled to have Berthy and her amazing daughter Lucy place their confidence in me," Governor Bush said. "The example Berthy has set by raising such a wonderful child against numerous obstacles is an inspiration for me, and my candidacy. Leading this state has been the greatest privilege of my professional life. I know we have made a difference, I know we have done better for the people that need it most. Now, I want to finish the job."

Since Governor Bush took office, he has increased funding for the developmentally disabled by almost 75% -- for a total of $886 million. In addition, a waiting list for services that included thousands of Florida citizens with developmental disabilities has now been almost completely erased.

"This is not about politics," De La Rosa-Aponte said. "It's about making sure that all people's voices are heard and respected."

[summer]

Thought you might be interested in this editorial by Gov. Bush. It was published in the Ft. Lauderdale Sun Sentinel in February 1999: "Helping the Most Vulnerable Among Us," by Jeb Bush

[Eagle Eye]

Rogers vows even hand in school budget cuts

I'm not one who equates money with education. Kids managed to learn arithmatic and grammar before computers and state certified teachers with MS/MA degrees.

[Truth Addict]

De La Rosa-Aponte said. "I've spent my life advocating for people with developmental disabilities, and I'm in a strong position to judge this Administration's actions on an issue so critical to my family. Jeb Bush doesn't just talk about the needs of Floridians. He delivers."

This line just about sums up my impressions about Jeb Bush as governor, and of conservative politicians in general. In sharp contrast to dem pols who promise everything to everybody in order to get elected, and then fail to take action once they are in office, true conservatives try very hard once in office to enact laws to fulfill their promises. Very often they are stifled in their efforts by dem majorities, but it's good to see a Republican governor like Jeb actually able to accomlish some good for the citizens of Florida.

[gatorman]

"This whole accountability issue is based on the presumption that if you are accountable to government authorities, then the taxpayer is well protected," he said. "Private schools are accountable to parents."

This main point is why this program will be so successful. The complex bureaucratic obstacles and political boondoggling has crippled PS in this area statewide. So, frusturated and disappointed parents are more inclined to choose a school they have a "voice" in - private schools, or, PS that are in partnership with the parents in educating their children. The John M. McKay Scholarships for Students With Disabilities offers parents an excellent opportunity to change to another PS in their district or choose a qualified private school.

One caveat however, not all private schools are a better choice for parents than PS. Many private schools are scholastically no better than the PS they just left from, but they tell the parents exactly "what they want to hear". Parents must take the time to investigate private schools thoroughly - perceptions are not facts.

IMO - the whole issue of vouchers if they do anything at all . . . they provide parents with a tool to get involved, take back their responsibilities, and become part of their child's educational process, and, that is why we need them.

THANKS, Jeb, for giving parents of special needs children options for success.

FReeregards . . .

 

[Pokey78]

It doesn't have to be the Christmas season to give this thread a BUMP!

[MississippiMan]

Bumpus Maximus.

[habs4ever]

Bump for Jeb and teacher excellence and accountability.Its TRULY for the kids, this time!

Merry Christmas Summer!!!

[JudyB1938]

Bump for all the wonderful people who work with these children. One of my sons-in-law does, and he is one of the KINDEST people I've ever known!

[goldilucky]

I'm not a Bush supporter and not really much for Jeb Bush either.

[davidosborne]

Jeb Bush BUMP !!

[packrat01]

Bump for certified teachers; by the certifiable.

[surfer]

bttt

[Sir Gawain]

bump

[WFTR]

This is an interesting article, but I find some things about it disturbing. It seems that there is a great deal of pressure to put labels on kids, and that this program might encourage that practice. Hypothetically, if a child can be a slow learner without necessarily having some real disability. If the child's parents are patient, make some sacrifices, and keep the child involved and moving forward, the child can succeed. In most cases, I believe that the extra expenses associated with this situation, including private schooling, should be the responsibility of the parents. (I've had vision problems from the time I was two or three years old. Those problems resulted in more expenses for my parents, and we had to make sacrifices. However, I don't think that the taxpayers should have been paying for my needs.)

This program seems as if it would give the parents an incentive to find some label to stick on the kid so that the family can qualify for a voucher. Parents who realize that they should be providing for their child would still be making the sacrifices while others would be looking here and there for an expert to label their kid so that they could take advantage of this new entitlement.

The young lady in the photograph appears to be more severely disabled, and I don't have a problem with extra assistance for her family. Most states have been providing some kind of assistance like that for years, although I think private charities could hande these situations as well as the government can. Obviously, the program is going to be popular politically, but I still have misgivings.

WFTR
Bill

[JakeWyld]

Thanks again Summer, top quality work as usual. This one has earned a spot in the bookmarks!

Here's for Jeb over Janet Marx in 2002!!!

Bump!!!

[VRW Conspirator]

Bush bump!

[lonestar]

bump

[GUIDO]

A Christmas bump to ya, thanks for the article on Govenor Bush!!!!!!!!!!

[TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig]

A courtesy bump from bigern

[M. Thatcher]

Bump for summer in December. Merry Christmas to you and yours.