Advocates to Rally For Name Change Bill
WORCESTER – State Representative Michael A. Costello will speak Saturday, November 4 at the 9th Annual Conference of Massachusetts Advocates Standing Strong (MASS).
MASS is a group of people with cognitive and developmental disabilities who fight for issues important to their community. Rep. Costello will be speaking about his efforts to change the name of the Department of Mental Retardation to Department of Developmental Services.
“We’re helping people find a voice to make their lives better,” said MASS State Coordinator Ed Bielecki. “One of the most important issues right now is changing the name of DMR. We’re looking forward to having Representative Costello speak because he filed the bill and he’s championed our right to get the name changed.”
The legislation to change the name of DMR was reported favorably out of the Joint Committee on Children and Families earlier this year but has not been taken up by the entire Legislature. Rep. Costello intends to re-file the bill when the new legislative session begins in January.
“I am honored to be speaking in front of such a strong group of advocates for the disabled and I am honored to advocate on their behalf,” said Rep. Costello. “One of the ways we can get the name change bill passed is by building grassroots support, which starts with this group.”
The MASS Conference will be held this Saturday at the Worcester Hotel and Conference Center.
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