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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 3, 2000)
Conference continued from page 1 community, however, and today she travels to Washington, D.C., to meet and share stories with others who have the same genetic, chro mosomal disorder. McIntosh, 38, will be one of a handful of North westerners attending the Nation al Down Syndrome Congress’ an nual conference. “I am excited,” McIntosh said with enthusiasm. “I am going to talk to people with disabilities, Down syndrome and people who are handicapped.” The conference is held in vari 44 The conference really gives you a good idea about the lives of people with Down syndrome. Moms even come who know they are carrying a Down syndrome child. It's just a great thing. Carol Smith mother of Heather Smith, conference attendee ous places each year; this year’s conference begins Friday and runs through Sunday under the theme “Celebrating rights, liberty and justice ... for ALL people.” Seattle resident Carol Smith in vited Mcintosh to accompany her and Smith’s daughter Heather, af ter Heather and McIntosh met during a vacation sponsored by TRIPS, a local organization that chaperones excursions for devel opmentally-disabled travelers. McIntosh and Heather met in Las Vegas and “they became fast friends,” Smith said. Smith has attended the conference with Heather for the past several years, and guesses “that less than 20 [people] will attend from the Ore gon/Washington area.” Between 2,000 and 3,500 peo pie overall are expected to attend this year’s event, which is mostly for .parents and families with Down syndrome connections, but is open to anyone. “All kinds of people speak at the convention [and] there are workshops for parents and kids,” Carol Smith said. “The confer ence really gives you a good idea about the lives of people with Down syndrome. Moms even come who know they are carrying a Down syndrome child. It’s just a great thing.” Down syndrome is a genetic disorder that includes a combina tion of birth defects including characteristic facial features, some degree of mental impair ment, often heart defects, visual and hearing impairment and oth er health problems. It is one of the most common genetic birth de fects and affects about one in 800 to 1,000 babies. About 350,000 in dividuals in this country have Down syndrome. McIntosh has already registered fora variety of workshops that the conference offers, including an art workshop and an advocacy work shop. “This conference really gives them a sense of worth, and helps their lives,” Carol Smith said. McIntosh isn’t the only one who is thrilled about her trip. Her best friend and housemate, Julie Prince, is also happy for her. “Julie is kind of more like my mom sometimes,” McIntosh said. Prince, 41, who also has Down syndrome, expressed excitement that McIntosh would be repre senting their shared views on Down syndrome. “It’s great — she is going as a daughter, a friend and a sister,” she said, smiljng as she held McIntosh’s hand. For more information about The National Down Syndrome Congress or the conference, call 1 800-232-NDSC. You can also look at the Web site at www.ndsccen ter.org/2000conv.htm. For infor mation about the Down Syn drome Society call 1-800-221-4602. Oregon delegate’s floor speech announcing vote for George W. Bush Each state at the GOP national convention makes a short speech before announcing the state’s votes for George W. Bush. Here’s what Oregon delegation chairman and state party chairman Perry Atkinson said: “The great sovereign state of Oregon, which gave new hope and pioneer spirit to a young America, stands united from the Wallowa mountains and the rural farmland in the East to the historic region in the South. From the great Willamette Valley all the way to America’s longest and most beau tiful public beaches. Mr. Secretary, we stand united to give America a new hope tonight. In Oregon we are working to keep control of the state House and the state Senate, we are working to take back the Secretary of State’s office with Lynn Snodgrass, the state Treasur er, and the honorable Kevin Man nix to be elected the next state at torney general. We are working to elect John Lindsey, Brian Boquist and the honorable Charles Starr to join the honorable Greg Walden in the U.S. Congress. And Oregon is the home of one great Senator, Sen ator Gordon Smith.” Atkinson passed the micro phone to Smith, who concluded: “Mr. Chairman, Oregonians want a president who will not leave be hind its farmers and foresters and fishermen. Oregon wants a presi dent who knows how to educate children. Oregonians want a presi dent who will keep their taxes low and foster peace in the world and not war. Oregon wants a president who understands us in the West, and we unanimously cast our proud 24 votes for the next presi dent and vice president of the United States, George W. Bush and Dick Cheney.” Associated Press There’s help. P.O. Box 3159, Eugene OR 97403 The Oregon Daily Emerald is published daily Mon day through Friday during the school year and Tuesday and Thursday during the summer by the Oregon Daily Emerald Publishing Co. Inc., at the University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon. A member of the Associated Press, the Emerald operates inde pendently of the University with offices in Suite 300 of the Erb Memorial Union. The Emerald is private property. The unlawful removal or use of papers is prosecutable by law. NEWSROOM — (541) 346-5511 Editor in chief: Jack Clifford Associate Editors: Jonathan Allen, Jeff Smith Copy Chief: Molly Egan Photo Editor: Azle Malinao-Alvarez Reporters: Kristy Hessman, Rebecca Newell On-line Editor: Timur Insepov Design Editor: Laura Chamberlain ADVERTISING — (541) S46-S712 Becky Merchant, director. Erin O’Connell advertising assistant. Doug Hentges, Jesse Long, Hillary Shultz, Chad Verly, Lisa Wood, advertising sales representa tives. CIASSIFIEDS — (541) S46-4S4S Trina Shanaman, manager. BUSINESS — (541) S46-SSI2 Judy Riedl, general manager. Kathy Carbone, busi ness supervisor. Ashley Kweder, receptionist. Qutaibah Hamadah.John Long, Sue Ryan, Meghan Seeley, distribution.. 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