April 19, 2006
People Inc. Nominates NYS Assemblyman Jim Hayes for Legislative Award
BUFFALO, N.Y., April 19, 2006: People Inc. is pleased to announce the nomination of Assemblyman Jim Hayes for the Developmental Disabilities (DD) Day Conference’s Legislative Award. The conference will be held at the Buffalo Convention Center on May 18, 2006.
People Inc. nominated Hayes for his advocacy on behalf of people with developmental disabilities and for his appropriating of funds to establish the first Museum of disABILITY History. People Inc. is working with the Town of Amherst at establishing a permanent home for the Museum of disABILITY History at the former Mennonite Meeting House located at the corner of Main and North Forest. Presently the Museum is temporarily located adjacent to People Inc.’s headquarters at 1219 North Forest Rd. in Williamsville.
“Everyday at People Inc., our staff works to improve the lives of the people we serve,” said People Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer James M. Boles. “The funds from Mr. Hayes for the first ever and permanent home for the Museum of disABILITY History in the world will allow us to turn an underutilized town asset into something that town residents can be proud of and people will want to see,” added Boles. Presently the Town of Amherst uses the former Mennonite Meeting House to store town records and it is closed to the public. The building was purchased by the Town in 1975 and is on the National Registry of Historic Places. The circa 1834 structure is in need of significant improvements which will be incurred by People Inc. and save the Town of Amherst and its residents money.
Recently the Museum of disABILITY History received a grant from the B. Thomas Golisano Foundation to develop a virtual website for the Museum.
Assemblyman Hayes has been a leader in campaigning for People Inc. as well as the thousands of people that work with individuals who have developmental disabilities by supporting trend increases and passing of the Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD) budget in the legislature.
People Inc. is a not-for-profit health and human services agency providing programs and services to at least 10,000 people with special needs, their families, and seniors throughout Western New York. Since 1971, People Inc. has assisted individuals to achieve greater degrees of independence and productivity.
Kevin Horrigan
Public Affairs Director
Direct Line: (716) 817-7475
Cellular: (716) 866-5893
