Senator Toomey and the CRPD

I spent last week viewing videos, reading, and thinking about Senator Patrick Toomey of Pennsylvania. He may just be the Republican who steps up and breaks the Senate impasse on ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). He has a current working relationship with both Senator Menendez, Chairman of the Senate Foreign a Relations Committee, and Senator Corker, its ranking Republican member.

Senator Toomey doesn't sit back and wait for others to propose good ideas (S. 1658, The Start-Up Jobs and Innovation Act, introduced with Senator Menendez on  November 6, 2013.). If he sees legislation with a good track record in the House, he has no problem sponsoring it in the Senate (S.1596, protecting children from sexual predators). He is willing to work with Democrat colleagues on a bipartisan basis on issues. He is mild-mannered, well spoken, and thoughtful. He is a frequent visitor on both Fox News and MSNBC. Although not on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, he has no problem co-sponsoring legislation that has international implications (with Senator Corker, S. 2277, the Russian Aggression Prevention Act). His legislative efforts also include protecting children (Justice for Amy Act) and supporting research in the area of Alzheimer's disease. He is committed to protecting the vulnerable and promoting fairness and opportunity for small businesses. He advocates for a strong U.S. presence in resolving conflicts overseas.

I do not know if anyone has talk to him about the CRPD, but he is not a flamethrower. His legislation seems driven by practical considerations -- he wants to solve problems. And to do so, being in the minority in the Senate, he recognizes the importance of collaboration with Democrats.

This CRPD may not be on Senator Toomey's radar, but we could put it there. We could let him know that --

1. Ratifying a CRPD would help us with other international issues on which we want to be a major, positive force, especially in the area of human rights.
2. Many members of the U.S. business community (e.g., Chamber of Commerce, National Business Leadership Network) support ratification of the CRPD.
3.  We value and seek his evaluation of the draft reservations, understandings, and declarations that are available to place in a resolution on the CRPD.
4.  We seek his help in identifying options for strengthening text of a resolution that would be amenable to Senators with specific concerns.

People who advocate for children and for people with Alzheimer's disease should especially make effort to contact Senator Toomey.

Contact information for Senator Toomey:
Washington, D.C.: 202.224.4254
Allentown:  610.434.1444
Erie:  814.453.3010
Harrisburg:  717.382.3951
Johnstown:  814.266.5970
Philadelphia:  215.241.1090
Pittsburgh:  412.803.3501
Scranton:  570.941.3540
Website:  www.toomey.senate.gov
Facebook:  www.facebook.com/SenatorPatToomey
Twitter:  @SenToomey

The 24th anniversary of the ADA is fast approaching, on July 26, 2014. If we reach out to Senator Toomey, we may be able to get his help, break the logjam, and give ourselves one heck of an ADA birthday present.

Thank you.
Common Grounder

   

The CRPD: the Time We Have Is Precious, Let's Use It Wisely

There are 75 days till the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the 24th. The collective wisdom is that we work very hard to secure Senate ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), an international disability rights treaty, the week of July 21st. All of my previous blog posts constitute a crash course on the CRPD, and in a way, a timeline since August 9, 2013 on what was in important, who was important, or why something was important.

I know no one has the time to read 73 blog posts. So I have summarized some key points here.

Some things to remember about the CRPD:

1. All developed countries and our principal allies and trading partners have ratified the CRPD.
2. The CRPD does not require the rights and opportunities extended to persons with disabilities exceed those available to other citizens of a country.
3. Ratification of the CRPD by the Senate would not trigger the need to change U.S. laws or to spend money.
4. Ratification would put us on the same playing field with 140+ countries, which have ratified the CRPD, and would give us a seat at the table when international standards are being set on accessibility and assistive technology.
5. Ratification would give us the right to urge, help, and yes, officially complain, on matters related to compliance or lack thereof with the CRPD.
6. Ratification would remove any confusion or objection about where the U.S. stands on disability rights.

These reasons should be shared with our Senators now. They should also be shared with our friends. We cannot let those, who fear joining other countries in ratifying the CRPD, shape and control how we are viewed and where we stand on something so fundamentally right and good.

Thank you.
Common Grounder 

The CRPD and Six Degrees of Separation, Take 2

This is the sample exchange I promised several blog posts ago. You might be able to use it when you reach the person who knows the senator, who has not taken a position yet on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Hopefully your contact will be able to convince the senator to support the CRPD.

It may take one, two or several phone calls or other types of contact to identify a person, who knows a particular senator well AND is comfortable/willing to talk to the senator about the CRPD. Be patient .

FIRST THING ON THE PERSON'S MIND:  WHY ARE YOU CALLING ME?

Introduction -- I am ( insert your name). I was given your name by (insert the name of the person who gave you this contact).

Why you are calling -- I am looking for someone who knows Senator (insert Senator's name) well and I hope you are that person.

SECOND THING ON THE PERSON'S MIND:  WHO ARE YOU?

Background -- (Insert something about yourself, where you work or the fact that you are an advocate for people with disabilities). I would greatly appreciate it if you would reach out to (insert Senator's name) and encourage him to support ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, also called the CRPD.

The Senate almost passed the CRPD in December 2012, but it fell five votes short. Right now many of us are working to identify people like you who will help us. We need at least six votes more this time around. We anticipate the possibility of Senate action on the CRPD sometime this summer.

(f you get this far, you have a chance.)

THIRD THING ON THIS PERSON'S MIND: I CAN'T TALK TO MY FRIEND, THE SENATOR, ABOUT A UN TREATY. I DONT KNOW ENOUGH.

CRPD Talking Points:  

1.  The CRPD is a UN disability rights treaty that was adopted by the UN General Assembly in December 2006. Over 140 countries have already ratified this treaty. The president has signed the treaty for the U.S., but the Senate has not yet taken action on ratification. Only the Senate is required to vote on it, not the House of Representatives.

2.  The CRPD is like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). It prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability. It requires that people with disabilities, in any country which ratifies the treaty, have the same rights and opportunities available to them that are available to other people in that country.

3.  If ratification occurs in the U.S., no U.S. laws would need to be changed and no new costs would be generated.

4.  Ratification is supported by over 800 organizations, many businesses, veterans, and millions of people with disabilities, their families and friends. 

5.  Benefits if the Senate ratifies the CRPD:  If the U.S. ratifies the CRPD, experts from the U.S. will have the opportunity to sit on committees that set standards on things like accessibility in the environment and assistive technology. Experts from the U.S. will have the opportunity to provide products, services, technical assistance and training to other countries who want to learn how to comply with the CRPD. People with disabilities from the U.S. will have an easier time working and traveling abroad. If they encounter barriers related to disability they can notify the U.S. government and the U.S. government can take action to encourage the country involved to make necessary changes consistent with the CRPD. 

6.  Negative consequences if the Senate does not ratify the CRPD:  Other countries, which have ratified the CRPD, will be able to influence standard setting and seize business opportunities that should have gone to U.S. companies and experts. People with disabilities, living and/or traveling overseas, when they are aware of or encounter disability-related barriers or discrimination, will have no mechanism to request or bring about desired change.

7.  Objections to the CRPD:  The strongest objections to ratification of the disability rights treaty are concerns about parents' rights, U.S. sovereignty and access to reproductive healthcare services. 

8.  The Senate Foreign Relations Committee has draft language for a resolution on the disability rights treaty to address each of these concerns. The chairman of the committee, Senator Robert Menendez of New Jersey, is the person to talk to about the effects of this draft language and to discuss options for making it clearer.

FIFTH THING ON THE PERSON'S MIND:  WHAT DOES THE CALLER WANT ME TO DO?

Contact Senator (insert name) and ask if the senator would consider supporting the CRPD, given the wide range of benefits that would subsequently occur. (Be willing to email the eight talking points, you just shared, to the person.)

SIXTH THING ON THE PERSON'S MIND:  WHAT IF I NEED HELP?

Assure the person to whom you are speaking that you are willing to provide additional information if he/she needs it.

End of conversation -- Thank the person for his/her time. Provide him/her with all of your contact information. Arrange a specific time to follow up with the person after he/she had spoken to the senator.

We have six weeks until the 24th anniversary of the ADA. Let's use this time to find these very important people and ask them to help us get the votes we need to ensure ratification by July 26, 2014.

Thank you.

Common Grounder

The CRPD and the Heritage Foundation

On May 2, 2014 the Daily News Journal (dnj.com) posted a piece by the Heritage Foundation on what should be the foreign policy top priorities of the U.S. for 2014. (http://www.dnj.com/article/20140503/OPINION/305030009/Group-lists-foreign-policy-top-priorities) Putting aside the fact that we are five months into the year 2014, is it possible that Heritage’s top five could actually help make the case for Senate ratification of the CRPD?

Heritage:  The United States faces mounting challenges abroad in 2014. With weak leadership from the White House over the past five years, the U.S. has been confronted and all too often sidelined by America’s adversaries and strategic competitors. The Obama Administration’s “leading from behind” strategy has been a spectacular failure that has led to confusion among traditional U.S. allies while emboldening the enemies of freedom.

CG:  I’ll concede that “leading from behind” was a poor choice of words that has become an over-used talking point by some, but “confusion among traditional U.S. allies” has some traction. If the Senate ratified the CRPD, the confusion among allies would be lessened, and probably will be accompanied by a sigh of relief!

Heritage:  In 2014, the U.S. should be willing to stand up to those who threaten its interests while it stands with those who share its values and goals. Foremost among those values are the principles of sovereignty and self-determination, which must be as central to U.S. foreign policy as they are sacred to its system of government.

CG: “In 2014, the U.S. should be willing to stand up to those who threaten its interests while it stands with those who share its values and goals.” Amen to that statement, especially that last clause. The CRPD contains the values and goals expressed in the U.S. Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Americans with Disabilities Act.

“Foremost among those values are the principles of sovereignty and self-determination, which must be as central to U.S. foreign policy as they are sacred to its system of government.” Conservative legal scholars in November 2013 told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee how to preserve U.S. sovereignty and self-determination in reservations, understandings, and declarations that could be put in the resolution on the CRPD.

The Heritage Foundation offered these top five foreign policy priorities for the Administration and Congress in 2014:

Heritage: 1. Halt the rise of a nuclear-armed Iran. In 2014, Washington should strengthen, not weaken, sanctions against Tehran while deploying a comprehensive missile defense system to defend the U.S. and key allies from the growing Iranian threat.

CG:  What would happen if we said to Iran after the Senate ratifies the CRPD – As a ratifier of the CRPD like Iran (Iran ratified the CRPD on 10/23/2009) the U.S. is willing to help Iran tackle its accessibility challenges in the built environment, technology, and policies so that Iranians with disabilities could more fully participate in Iranian civil society? At a minimum, Iranian attention would be diverted from the current tensions. This diversion could have positive, sustainable consequences that spill over to other foreign relations arenas.

Heritage:  2. Defend U.S. sovereignty and reform the treaty process. The administration backs a series of treaties—such as the U.N. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the U.N. Arms Trade Treaty, and the Law of the Sea Treaty—that would do nothing to advance U.S. national interests but would be detrimental to U.S. sovereignty by subjecting the U.S. to the unprincipled and deeply political judgment of foreign sources of authority.

CG:  Evidently Heritage is not concerned about sovereignty when it comes to Senate ratification of fish treaties, which it did very recently. I guess sovereignty only concerns Heritage if it deals with things on the water, associated with human rights, or connected to a trade advantage – a concern that is voiced when there's a political point to be made, perhaps? Consistency be damned.

Heritage:  3. Bolster allies and economic freedom in the Middle East. While the Obama Administration has rushed to engage adversaries such as Iran and Syria, longtime allies such as Israel, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia have chafed at what they regard as Washington’s neglect of their core security interests.

CG:  One of the core interests connected to security of any country is the sense of participation in community life felt by all segments of society. The U.S. could respond to the Heritage point by exporting its disabilities rights and accessibility expertise to all of the countries Heritage references – Iran, Syria (ratified the CRPD, July 10, 2009), Egypt (ratified the CRPD, April 14, 2008), Israel (ratified the CRPD, Sept. 28, 2012), and Saudi Arabia (ratified the CRPD, Jun. 24, 2009). This would be easier to do after the Senate ratifies the CRPD. Who knows, if we did that, peace and a sense of safety and partnership could spring up in many places. U.S. status, influence, and reach could be strengthened. Bruised relationships could be transformed.

Heritage:  4. Weaken the European project and strengthen the transatlantic alliance. A robust transatlantic alliance remains crucial to U.S. strategic interests, as the ongoing NATO-led operation in Afghanistan continues to demonstrate.

CG: The only way to strengthen something is by weakening something else? I think not. By ratifying the treaty, by emphasizing disability rights, the U.S. could inspire other countries to revisit common ground and reinvigorate cooperation by joining hands to implement the CRPD fully, creatively around the globe.

Heritage:  5. Reprioritize relations with key Asian democracies. The administration’s rhetoric about a U.S. “pivot” to Asia has been the worst of all worlds. Widely accepted as reality abroad, it has disillusioned American allies, but since it has not been backed up by any policy changes, it is nothing more than words. China’s aggressive moves have led to nervousness in many Asian nations that are traditionally close to the U.S., but the U.S. has failed to demonstrate steadfast leadership in response.

The U.S. should re-emphasize the value of its relationships with close allies such as Japan and South Korea.

CG:  It’s time we all start thinking out of the box. Many things are reduced to sound bites and talking points. We need to start thinking about the connections or potential connections between and among things. Fully embracing the CRPD by ratifying it will not weaken U.S. sovereignty. We need to recognize the CRPD as a strategic tool in our foreign relations toolbox. We cannot afford to ignore the potential benefit it will bring.

Thank you.

Common Grounder 

If I Had Time with Senator Coats,This Is What I Would Tell Him about the CRPD

I was all set to write this post on a script we could use when implementing the "six degrees of separation" strategy I outlined my last blog post. Then, someone on the community Facebook page -- RatifyCRPD -- suggested I give an example of what I would say to Senator Coats of Indiana about the CRPD, if given the chance. So here goes --  

Senator Coats,

Thanks for being willing to hear from me.

You have a solid understanding and recognize the importance of alliances in today's world. You were ambassador to Germany. Last week you met with the Foreign Minister of Romania to discuss the conflict in Ukraine. You are calling for a stronger NATO presence in the Black Sea area. 

Serving on the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the Joint Economic Committee, you have a solid understanding and recognize the importance of businesses having opportunities to sell products not only in this country but abroad. 

Serving on the Senate Intelligence Committee, you are a strong voice for what it takes to keep us safe and increase the likelihood that the world will see more peace and less conflict. That is why I urge you to support the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

In this ever shrinking world the U.S. should not and does not stand alone. It is a member of many alliances. In fact, on a voice vote, the first week of this month the Senate approved four international treaties dealing with fishing. The international partnerships the U.S. seeks go well beyond fish, to security, human rights, military alliances, and other forms of economic parity.

Sixty-one Senators support the ratification of the CRPD. Please consider being the next one to do so. People with disabilities around the world know the role that the Americans with Disabilities Act played in the development of the CRPD. But now they and their governments wonder why the U.S. is reluctant to ratify the treaty. The treaty will not change U.S. law. That has been established by legal scholars. It will not cost money. 

U.S. ratification of the treaty will give the U.S. a seat at the table to make suggestions and help set standards that will favorably impact America's technology, especially assistive technology, companies. It will give America a voice in making the processes of government more accessible and fairer to people in faraway countries. When people are focused on things like rights, accessibility, opportunities, and economic development there is less likelihood that there will be violence, denial of rights, and disruption of civil society. Senate ratification of the CRPD will give the U.S. the credibility, the right, and the power to persuade others to spend time on things that matter in the long term.

You are very conscious of the standing of the U.S. in the world. You are strongly opposed to things that weaken or diminish it or cause our intentions to be misunderstood or misconstrued. Having been in, out, and back in Congress, and being the grandfather of eight children, you probably have a clearer view of the meaning of legacy, the value of taking the long view and supporting things that will have a lasting, positive impact. Ratification of the CRPD is one of those things. Please help us mobilize your Senate colleagues to ratify the disability rights treaty. It really matters and it needs to be done now. 

Thank you.

Common Grounder

CRPD and Six Degrees of Separation

This is my 70th blog post. When I started last August, August 9th to be specific, I thought perhaps I had six posts in me. Your willingness to read these posts has kept me going. With your support, I will continue until the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) is ratified. But I’ll warn you this particular one is a LONG one.

Interest in the CRPD ebbs and flows. I accept that. However, once momentum slows down, it takes tremendous effort to get things going again. The statistics for this blog and for the community Facebook page, RatifyCRPD, indicate that momentum has leveled off, and is starting to drop.

I have said many times that ratification is up to us. That hasn’t changed. But of course, in order to sustain and build momentum we need feedback from the Senate. Other than Senator Harkin, who is an outspoken champion for ratification, and has asked us to give him our stories of about what the CRPD means to us, we have heard little from the Senate. Senator Menendez, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has not shared any substantive information about progress with us, only reiterating his unwavering support for the treaty, when he received an award from the MS Society earlier this spring.

I have heard two points to explain the status quo on ratification. First, there are quiet conversations going on between and among senators and the possibility of obtaining additional support for ratification is in the cards. (My count is that we have 61 votes for ratification and we need 6 more.)  Second, this is related to the first, everyone needs to keep a low profile in order to not stir up the opposition to ratification.

Those who support ratification of the CRPD have been asked over and over to contact their senators and urge their support for ratification. 

Occasionally in the last few months we have had big splash events -- one day or one way to reach senators and urge their support for ratification. After such events attention dies down. These events are linear in nature and don't seem to generate a lasting impact in the Senate. Perhaps we could try something multidimensional that requires sustained effort from everyone.

A Hungarian author, Frigyes Karinthy, is credited with coming up with the idea of six degrees of separation. According to Wikipedia, “Six degrees of separation is the theory that everyone and everything is six or fewer steps away, by way of introduction, from any other person in the world, so that a chain of ‘a friend of a friend’ statements can be made to connect any two people in a maximum of six steps.”

Well, I propose that we use a slightly modified version of this theory to build sustained momentum and increase investment of people in securing ratification of the CRPD. Our targets should be people who can get the ear of Senators who could contribute the six votes we need for ratification. The three categories of people we need to reach are:

·      Senators who have had a working relationship with Senators who have not taken a position on ratification

·      Veterans who know Senators who have not taken a position on ratification

·      High-level company representatives from companies who have headquarters in states of Senators who have not taken a position on ratification

Each of us could set out to connect with an individual in one of these three groups (i.e., a Senator, a veteran, or company person who knows a Senator who has not taken a position on the CRPD) and once we connect, ask the individual to urge his or her friend, the Senator, to support ratification.

No Senator ignores the advice from a colleague with whom he or she has worked successfully. No Senator dismisses a veteran, a veteran he or she has helped, come to know, or has spoken of in a speech, press release, or home-state newspaper story. No Senator blows off high-level company officials from a corporation housed in their state. Although it could take up to six tries (six degrees of separation) to reach a Senator, a veteran, or a corporate executive who knows a Senator who has not taken a position on ratification, all we need is the willingness to try.

First we need to make a simple script for ourselves:  why we are making contact, why the CRPD is important, and what we would like the contact to do. There is plenty of information on this blog, at www.disabilitytreaty.org, and www.usicd.org to make up a script.

Second, set up our contact plan.

Do we know a contact in states such as – Arkansas, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, or Wyoming?

If the answer is yes, before we proceed, it would be good to do some research on the Senator on whom we plan to focus – on which committees does he serve, to what caucuses does he belong, on what issues and groups does he give emphasis on his web site, and on what issues does he talk on video clips?

1.  Questions for our contact in the key state: Does he or she know a Senator with whom Senator ___________ (a Senator who have not taken a position on ratification) works well? Does the contact know a veteran who knows the Senator? Does the contact know anyone in a big company in the state? Does that company person know the Senator?

Based on what we learn we would then concentrate on one state, and one Senator, veteran, or corporate representative who knows the Senator who has not taken a position on ratification.

2.  Questions for the contact our contact knows: [Our contact could set up an introduction for us.] After we “drop” our contact’s name and reason for making contact, we would ask the person how he or she knows the Senator (a Senator who have not taken a position on ratification)? If the contact does not know the Senator, doesn’t seem to know the Senator well, or doesn’t want to help us, we would ask the person if he or she knows someone who does.

3.  Questions for first contact who may know the Senator well (a Senator who have not taken a position on ratification): We would ask – How do you know the Senator? If not well, could you recommend someone else who may? Why do you suggest that person?

4.  What the exchange with the second contact, who may know the Senator well, should cover: background on the CRPD; assessment of person’s willingness to share information with the Senator; offer of support and further information; and/or getting the contact information for another person who knows the Senator well.

5.  What the exchange with the third contact, who may know the Senator well, should cover: background on the CRPD; assessment of person’s willingness to share information with the Senator; offer of support and further information.

6.  What the exchange with the fourth contact, who may know the Senator well, should cover: background on the CRPD; assessment of person’s willingness to share information with the Senator; offer of support and further information.

You get it, I know.

It may take only one try to reach someone who would be willing to reach out to a Senator we have chosen to impact. Nonetheless, each contact we make is a potential in-state ally. That is good, not a waste of time. That is why our script is so important – it could persuade people to join the pro-ratification cause. We have multiple chances to find someone to help us.

If each of us commits to reaching just one person who knows a key Senator and who is willing to talk to the Senator about ratification, the momentum we need to rekindle will blossom and the additional Senate votes we need will surface.

I know this is a serious investment of time and effort. We need to make it. We have 86 days till the 24^th anniversary of the ADA. We need to secure ratification of the CRPD by then. So, we should start this Monday and do what needs to be done.

Thank you.

Common Grounder

Senator Rubio and the CRPD

Senator Rubio is seen as a force to be reckoned within the Republican Party. He has given the Republican response to one of President Obama's State of the Union speeches. He has given major speeches, lasting 30 minutes or more, on foreign policy at both conservative and liberal gatherings, with less than two years in the Senate under his belt. He has joined forces with Democrats on tough issues like immigration reform.

His website focuses on issues like veterans and seniors, emphasizing that we need to do better for and by them.

The three themes that shout out at us through his videos, press releases, and speeches are 1) whether we like it or not, the U.S. is the leader of the world, so we should act like it; 2) the bottom line is freedom and opportunity; by making them more readily available and helping them thrive, we make things better for everyone; and 3) we must never forget and always stay true to the principles on which our country was founded.

Senator Rubio says he has been inspired by his grandfather who had polio, went to work every day, walking some distance, to support his family. He says he has also been inspired by his parents, who emigrated from Cuba, and worked very hard to ensure that Senator Rubio and his siblings had benefits and opportunities that they had not had.

Pundits and friends of Senator Rubio indicate that throughout his political career he has been mentored by Jeb Bush, former governor of Florida. I met Jeb Bush when he was governor. He was giving a speech to a large gathering of disability advocates in Tampa. Before his speech he and I, on a long slow walk down the loading dock behind the Convention Center, talked about how to improve services to families who had children with disabilities with multiple needs, how to increase the employment rate of individuals with disabilities, and what the governor was doing to empower people with disabilities in Florida. When he gave the speech that day, Jeb Bush did not use notes, and yet he shared tons of facts and statistics with those of us in the audience.

I offer this collection of points to make a few more. I hope somewhere in Senator Rubio's brain is stored some thoughts about disability, learned from his grandfather and Jeb Bush, which will breakthrough and cause him to publicly support ratification of the Convention on the Rights of a Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). If Senator Rubio wants the U.S. to refresh its mantle as a world leader, to speak and act in the name of equality, freedom, and human rights, and help open greater opportunities for veterans and seniors, then surely he can support the ratification of the CRPD.

The only substantive objection Senator Rubio has consistently voiced about the CRPD has been to text in one paragraph in Article 25, the article related to health care.  He has said, as is, it would expand abortion rights in the U.S. Since he is on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and has joined Chairman Menendez on a successful resolution on Syria, I can see no reason why these two Senators cannot find common ground related to Senator Rubio's concern about Article 25.

Senator Rubio has the opportunity to help us achieve ratification of the CRPD. Especially those who live in Florida, those who are veterans, and those who are seniors should seize this moment and ask him to do just that.

Here is his contact information:

Washington DC:  202.224.3041
Orlando:  407.254.2573
Toll free in Florida:  866.630.7173
Tampa:  813.287.5035
Miami:  305.418.8553
Naples:  239.213.1521
Pensacola:  850.433.2603
Palm Beach:  561.775.3360
Tallahassee:  850.599.9100
Jacksonville:  904.398.8586

Website:  www.rubio.senate.gov
Facebook:  www.facebook.com/MarcoRubio
Twitter:  @marcorubio

Thank you.
Common Grounder