For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
February 1, 2001
Participants in the New Freedom Initiative Announcement
President Bush will be introduced by Steven Tingus, the Director of
Resource Development for the California Foundation for Independent
Living Centers.
Lydia Ruiz is an eight-year-old Brownie Scout from Arlington, Virginia
who will lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
Jim Mullen is a Chicago policeman who was wounded in the line of duty
in October of 1996 and is now paralyzed from the neck
down. He is the founder of the Jim Mullen Foundation, a
non-profit organization that distributes high tech computer equipment
to persons with disabilities. Since the foundation's
inception, Jim has provided over 1000 computers to those in
need. Jim also leads two companies, Visualhighway.com and
the American Electrical Assemblies.
Douglas Huntt is from Columbus, Ohio and is the current director of AT
Ohio, an assistive technology center that helps train people with
disabilities in the use of assistive technology.
Carol Hughes is from Atlanta Georgia and works at the Center for
Rehabilitation Technology. She is the mother of an adult son with a
disability.
Alan Reich is the President of the National Organization on
Disability. The organization's mission is to promote the full and
equal participation and contribution of America's 54 million men, women
and children with disabilities.
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