Assemblyman Steve Katz (R,C,I - Yorktown) addressed the 3rd Annual Legislative Disabilities Day crowd today, making special note of Dr. Henry Viscardi, Jr. Advocacy Award winner Douglas Hovey, and Kim Hill, the Director of the Assembly Task Force on People with Disabilities.

 

            "Every year this event pulls people from all ideologies together to focus on those who really deserve our full attention," Katz said.  "As the Ranking Member on the Mental Health Committee, this is where my attention lies everyday.  We need to be out there every day helping those with disabilities.  Ensuring people with disabilities receive the proper medical care and have access to teachers and therapists is essential. We must cut any red tape keeping this from being a reality."

 

            Last year, Assemblyman Steve Katz was pivotal in the restoration of $90 million of funding to the Office for Persons With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD), and fought for the protection of the funding during this year's budget process.  Video of Assemblyman Steve Katz's speech can be found here.