AUCD Presents Senator Tom Harkin with the 2011 Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award

February 22, 2012

From left: George Jesien, Anthony Antosh, Bob Bacon, Senator Tom Harkin, Liz Weintraub, Kim Musheno, and Kristina Majewski

Bob Bacon, MA, Director of the Iowa UCEDD, and Anthony Antosh, EdD, AUCD President and Director of the Paul V. Sherlock Center on Disabilities, Rhode Island's UCEDD, presented the 2012 AUCD Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award to Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA).  The award was originally presented to the Senator at AUCD's 2011 Conference in November, however Senator Harkin was unable to attend in person.  

During the meeting Bob Bacon spoke of the national importance of Senator Harkin's leadership in improving the lives of persons with disabilities. He also presented an additional award from the Iowa UCEDD for the Senator's steadfast support of the Money Follows the Person program. The award featured pictures and quotes from individuals who had successfully transferred to the community from institutional settings. Senator Harkin stated his heartfelt appreciation for both awards.

Also in attendance for the presentation were AUCD Executive Director George Jesien, PhD; AUCD Legislative Affairs Director Kim Musheno, AUCD Program Specialist and Self-Advocate Liz Weintraub, and AUCD Policy Fellow Kristina Majewski, JD.