Political Quotes

“Mr. President, a few weeks ago, I had the privilege of visiting the Mid-Arkansas River Valley Abilities Workshop, better known as MARVA, in Russellville, AR, just over the bridge from my hometown of Dardanelle. For more than 40 years, MARVA has provided individuals with developmental disabilities meaningful work in a supportive environment and given them access to a variety of social services. Those employed at MARVA produce and sell, for example, top-quality recyclables, planners, and calendars. My visit to MARVA deeply moved me. I saw firsthand how important this organization is to so many Arkansans, and I met and heard from some truly amazing people, like Ron, who has been at MARVA for 17 years. Ron said he had dropped out of 3 different colleges and was fired from 10 jobs before he was diagnosed with a mental illness. Ron was actually told by one former employer: ``You are dumb and have no future.'' Ron moved back to Arkansas and found his place at MARVA, where he is currently thriving. In Ron's words: MARVA has helped me to feel that I can be independent and encouraged me to feel a sense of worth. I feel that my life has come from the gutter to glory. I can't imagine any other life. I don't want to get fired again. I also met Mike, an Arkansan who has been employed at MARVA for 38 years--38 years. Mike was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at the age of 2.…”