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Excerpts
from testimony presented at public hearing for SCR -134 and S-2476
 Public Advocate Ron Chen:
"The language "idiots" and "insane" is outdated and imprecise. They
have no place in this document."
David Tag, NJ Self-Advocacy Project:
"These words do not belong in our constitution. As a person with a
disability, I find them offensive."
Adelaide Daskam, Jump Start
Self-Advocacy:
"People with disabilities have a right to vote and the right to have
someone help them in the voting booth if they need it."
 Gary Rubin, NJ United Self-Advocates:
"Senator Codey hit it right on the head with these bills."
Sam Jenkins, Helping
Hands:
"These words are downgrading and dead wrong. Words take away our
rights and label us. How would you feel?"
Todd Emmons, Seeking
Ways Out Together (SWOT):
"Voting is one of the most important rights we have."
Robert Fessle, NJ ADAPT:
"You may look at me and say poor person, so crippled, so handicapped
that he cannot speak for himself. Its not true. Nothing can be
further from the truth."
 Anita Clavering, Monday Morning
Project:
"As an advocate and a citizen with mental, behavioral, and
learning disabilities, I was indeed shocked and upset that the
statement in the State Constitution which includes the words “idiot”
and “insane” has remained on it even after 150 years, which not only
perpetuates the cruel and debilitating problem of stigma for
citizens with mental, behavioral, and emotional disabilities, it
demeans citizens with learning and all disabilities who want to
exercise this precious right and be recognized as voters."
Dr. Alison Lozano, Executive
Director, NJCDD:
"People with developmental disabilities and mental health concerns
have long been stigmatized and discriminated against in our
communities. This antiquated language perpetuates the negative
stereotypes and is harmful to those individuals who strive to be
fully included in community life, which includes their civil right
to vote."
Joe Young, NJ Protection & Advocacy:
"There's no reason why the constitution should condone name-calling
... It's time for a change."
FOR ALL PHOTOS CLICK
HERE
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RELATED LINKS
S 2476
- Bill to amend State
Statute (PDF)
SCR 134
- Senate Concurrent Resolution (PDF)
A-4030
- Bill to amend State
Statute
ACR-240
- Assembly Concurrent Resolution
Find your
Legislators
Assembly
State Government Committee
Sample letter to Chairman
Hackett
(Word File)
Sample letter to Chairman
Hackett
(PDF File - printable only)
How a
bill becomes a law
Testimony from advocates
and photos of Senate hearing
Testimony from advocates
and photos of Assembly hearing
Star-Ledger article
Endorse Here
Contact Information
Luke
Koppisch
luke.koppisch@njcdd.org
Carole Tonks
carole.tonks@njcdd.org
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CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT