Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. press release, June 11, 2001

MEWS FROM Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Second Congressional District of Maryland 1 407 York Road, Suite 304 Lutherville, Maryland 21093 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, June 11, 2001 315 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 CONTACT: Henry Fawell 202/225-3061 Congressman Ehrlich Helps Celebrate Victory for the Blind WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. (MD-2) joined leaders of the nation’s blind community in Baltimore today to announce the acquisition a $4 million federal grant to increase the blind community’s access to the nation’s print publications. The federal grant, which was secured in the 106th Congress, will expand operations of Newsline, a telephone newspaper service which provides voice-operated versions of the nation’s largest newspapers, including the Chicago Tribune, Washington Post, and Wall Street Journal. The Newsline service, which is operated by the National Federation of the Blind (NFB), is free of charge to its customers. Congressman Ehrlich stated, “America’s visually-impaired community is willing and able to contribute to America in every way possible. Newsline allows them to tap into the world around them and stay involved in their community.” Newsline, which was founded in Baltimore in 1994, is currently available in 75 local dialing areas in the United States. The federal grant will allow the NFB to offer Newsline to all fifty states, the District of Colombia, and Puerto Rico. Congressman Ehrlich continued, “The future is bright for the National Federation of the Blind, and I will continue voice the blind community’s concerns in Congress. Initiatives like Newsline are great opportunities for them to contribute to the nation.” Background: Congressman Ehrlich has previously been honored by several advocacy groups representing the interests of the blind. The General Council of Industries for the Blind and the National Industries for the Blind awarded Congressman Ehrlich with the "Federal Official of the Year" Award in 1998. He has also been honored for his work by the Maryland Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind.