06 LC 38
0075
House
Resolution 1401
By:
Representatives Manning of the
32nd,
Tumlin of the
38th,
Cooper of the
41st,
Johnson of the
37th,
Parsons of the
42nd,
and others
A
RESOLUTION
Remembering
Natalie Tumlin and her contributions to the advocacy movement for people with
disabilities; recognizing the contributions of direct support professionals in
supporting people with disabilities to live, work, and participate in their
communities; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS,
Natalie Tumlin, who was born with cerebral palsy, began advocating for herself
in elementary school by letting her teachers know that she wanted to be included
with her fellow students; and
WHEREAS,
Natalie was forced to communicate with the world through assistive technology,
which enabled her to make her voice heard; and
WHEREAS,
Natalie advocated for other Georgia citizens with disabilities by beginning the
Unlock the Waiting Lists! Campaign and speaking to the boards of the Department
of Human Resources and Department of Community Health, members of the
legislature, and three Governors about the need for home and community based
services; and
WHEREAS,
this courageous young woman continued learning and developing her advocacy
skills by starting a People First chapter and by participating in Georgia Voices
that Count and numerous other advocacy activities; and
WHEREAS,
Natalie was a full and contributing member of society as demonstrated by her
independent living, employment, volunteer work, travel, Civitan membership, and
vocal advocacy for those individuals with disabilities who could not speak for
themselves; and
WHEREAS,
Natalie told Governor Perdue that nobody was more important in her life than her
direct support staff person, Gina; and
WHEREAS,
Georgia citizens with disabilities are able to live self-determined lives
supported by direct support professionals; and
WHEREAS,
the United States Congress affirmed the need, importance, and significant impact
of a qualified, available, and adequately compensated direct support
professional work force as critical to the support of people with disabilities
living in their communities through the Senate Concurrent Resolution 21 and
House Concurrent Resolution 94 by unanimous consent; and
WHEREAS,
Georgia's citizens with disabilities who are on waiting lists for home and
community based services, or who are waiting to move from institutions to the
community, will need a qualified, stable, long-term direct support work force
whose members have access to quality training, sustainable wages, and benefits;
and
WHEREAS,
direct support professionals benefit from opportunities to join with other
direct support staff for information, assistance, and professional growth and
development through an alliance of direct support professionals.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of
this body remember Ms. Natalie Tumlin, recognize her efforts to improve services
for Georgia's disabled citizens, and commend those direct support professionals
who provide valuable assistance to disabled persons everywhere.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to the family of
Ms. Natalie Tumlin.