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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Todd Eachus |
  
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Eachus honored as ‘Legislator of the Year’ by advocates for the disabled
HARRISBURG, June 11 -- State Rep. Todd Eachus, D-Luzerne, was named "Legislator of the Year" for 2008 by the Pennsylvania Industries for the Blind and Handicapped at a ceremony Tuesday for his work in removing obstacles for agencies that provide services for disabled individuals across the state.
"I really appreciate this honor, and I’m proud to do everything I can to help cut the red tape for IBH and its member organizations and agencies as they help provide work opportunities for disabled people all over the state," Eachus said. "Their work has made an enormous difference in the lives of more than 10,000 workers who are a vital part of the community, and I hope we can have even more success next year."
"You have continuously promoted transition programs for the disabled and fought every year to fund programs for the disabled," PIBH President/CEO Alfred W. Baker said in a prepared statement. "Your actions do honor to all the 1.2 million Pennsylvanians who are disabled."
Eachus was selected for his work bringing together representatives from Wilkes-Barre’s United Rehabilitation Services Inc with local lawmakers and the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare to address fiscal issues and service.
PIBH is a non-profit agency dedicated to increasing employment opportunities for the disabled through the fulfillment of of state government contracts for goods and services with a network of 78 affiliated agencies, including Goodwill Industries, the Easter Seals Society and many others. PIBH workers are the exclusive providers of products for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
"These are people who have been able to come off the welfare rolls and onto the taxpayer rolls thanks to the work of PIBH and their member agencies," Eachus said. "Helping these people is the right thing to do for everyone involved and helps make a better Commonwealth for all of us."
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