WSANA has had and continues to have contact with Mr.
Cantos. WSANA is thrilled by this news release we just received.
PRESIDENT BUSH APPOINTS OLLIE CANTOS TO ANOTHER HIGH POST
The White House on May 8,2008 announced the appointment of Olegario
"Ollie" D. Cantos VII to serve a full two-year term as Member of the President's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities
begining on May 12, 2008.
Cantos, 37 presently serves as Special Counsel to the Acting Assistant Attorney General for Civil
Rights at the U. S. Department of Justice; and, he is to continue his related responsibilities concurrently with his
new presidential appointment. A leader in the disability community since November 1990, Cantos dedicated two consecutive terms
of service as Associate Director for Domestic Policy at the White House. Prior to that, he served as Special Assistant to
the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights, having begun his tenure in that capacity in August 2004. He attained this
posirtion after a two-year stint as General Counsel and Director of Programs for a Washington-based non-profit disability
organization. He began his career as an attorney in June 1999 at the Disability Rights Legal Center in Los Angeles, California.
Over the years, Cantos has worked with thousands of people with intellectual disabilities and their advocates, most particularly
within the arenas of employment, crime victimization issues, and self advocacy.
"Members of the disability community, including children and adults with intellectual disabilities,
deserve to live in a world that is free from barriers to full societal participation," Cantos said. "I am honored to serve
the President yet again, and I look forward to working with colleagues on the Committee to craft meaningful recommendations
whose decisive implementation will foster ongoing improvement in real oppertunities for greater integration than ever before."
The President's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities (as the body is now known since
having been renamed by President George W. Bush in 2003) was initially organized as a blue ribbon Panel by President
John F. Kennedy in 1961 and was formally established as a Committee by President Lydon B. Johnson in 1966 under an Executive
Order. Eight years later, in 1974, new goals for the Committee focusing on deinstitutationlization, prevention, and legal
rights were established by President Richard M. Nixion. In 1996, a new set of goals for the committee encouraging full
community inclusion and citizens'rights was created by President William Jefferson Clinton.
Much has changed for people with intellectual disabilities since the 1960's due to advances in medicine,
technology, research, education, and public understanding. The purpose of the Committee is to advise the President on the
achievements, continuing needs, and emerging issues in this dynamic field. The Committee evaluates the adequacy of current
practices and programs and reviews federal agency activities that have an impact on the lives of people with intellectual
disabilities. The Committee also highlights the need for appropriate changes and encourages research, education,and services
and supports relating to people with intellectual disabilities.
As oppertunities may present themselves, the Committee collaborates with other federal agencies
and national organizations in convening conferences and forums and disseminating information to the public on issues and accomplishments
of people with intellectual disabillities.
The Committee has built upon the foundational principals of the New Freedom Initiative introduced
by President George W. Bush in February 2001: Expanding educational oppertunities, increasing access to technology, improving
individual and feamily support, increasing emplyment and economic independence, and promoting access and integration
into community life.
The Committee consists of up to 21 citizen members appointed by the President and thirteen
ex officio (Federal Government) members designated by the President. The thirteen ex officio members include the Secretary
of Health and Hyman Services, Secretary of Education, Secretary of Labor, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Secretary
of Commerce, Secretary of Transportation, Secretary of Interior, Secretary of Homeland Security, the Attorney General, the
President and CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service, the Chair of the Equal Employment Oppertunity Commission,
the Chair of the National Council on Disability, and the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration. The ex officio
members undertake Committee duties in addition to their daily occupations.
The Committee reports its findings to the President of the United States, in accordance with the
President's Executive Order.
Other new presidential appointees include Stephanie Preshong Brown, of Florida, Eric Lee Cole, of
Maryland, Berthy De La Rosa-Aponte, of Florida, William J. Edwards, of California, MaryMarget Pucci, of Illinois, Linda Hampton
Starnes, of Florida, Dallas Rob Sweezy, of Virginia, Wiklliam E. Tienken, of Illinois, Eric Todd Treat, of Arkansas, Charles
Weis, of Indiania, Mary Ellen Zeppuhar, of West Virginia.
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