Oklahoma House of Representatives
Media Division March 31, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: State Rep. Kris Steele
Capitol: (405) 557-7345
High School Senior Lobbies Legislature to “Stop the R-Word”
OKLAHOMA CITY – Shawnee High School Senior Alie Walsh lobbied state lawmakers today, giving a speech on the floor of the Oklahoma House of Representatives urging them to help prevent the use of derogatory terms to describe people with disabilities.
Alie, whose older sister Jenny has a disability, specifically urged legislators to discourage the use of the words “retarded” or “retard” as derogatory terms. “To me to hear someone use the word ‘retarded’ as a putdown just doesn’t line up, because I would never think of something that describes Jenny as a putdown,” Alie said. She noted her sister was the prom queen at Shawnee and participates in competitive swimming and dancing activities.
Alie said lawmakers and other adults can help by simply being good role models. “When kids hear teachers or role models use this word, they think it’s okay to use it – and it’s not okay,” Alie said.
Gov. Brad Henry also issued a proclamation in support of the effort, declaring March 31st to be “Spread the Word to End the ‘r’ Word Day” in Oklahoma. That proclamation declares that “when the words ‘retard’ or ‘retarded’ are used without thinking to mean something stupid or bad, it is hurtful to people who have disabilities and the people who love them” and it “perpetuates prejudice and discrimination towards people with disabilities.”
State Rep. Kris Steele, who invited Alie to speak to the House, praised her efforts. “Alie has shown great poise and maturity in fighting prejudice,” said Steele, R-Shawnee. “I believe it is incumbent upon us as elected officials to do our best to lead by example and I appreciate Alie reminding us of that responsibility.”
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PHOTO CAPTION: Alie Walsh, a senior at Shawnee High School, speaks to the members of the Oklahoma House of Representatives as Rep. Kris Steele looks on.
Spread The Word To End The Word ‘r’ Word Awareness Day
FREE full-sized (12×18), full-color poster for teens and older ready for you to download and take to your printer. To download right-click on link and ‘save as’ to your computer. This is 1.8M, please allow time to download.
http://stopsayingretard.files.wordpress.com/2007/04/spreadthewordposter-sr.jpg
FREE Low-Res PDF Poster
FREE full-sized (12×18), full-color poster for adolescents and younger ready for you to download and take to your printer. To download right-click on link and ‘save as’ to your computer. This is 1.8M, please allow time to download.
http://stopsayingretard.files.wordpress.com/2007/04/spreadthewordposter-el.jpg
FREE Low-Res PDF Poster
Resource Materials for “Spread the Word to End the Word Awareness Day”
Senator Kennedy Supports “SPREAD THE WORD TO END THE ‘R’ WORD DAY”
Hey there Wanda…I didn’t know you have a blog.
I sure wish there were more Alie’s and Wanda’s in this world!
What a wonderful example and advocate Alie is for the population of individuals with developmental disabilities and their loved ones. Way to go Alie!