| ST. LOUIS
- Hundreds packed the Regional Arts Commission
in St. Louis on Sunday to hear former presidential
candidate and Vermont Governor Howard Dean
honor Maria Chappelle-Nadal, Democratic
candidate for state representative in the
72nd District.
 Chappelle-Nadal
was chosen as one of the "Dean Dozen"
from hundreds of individuals who answered
the call to action by "Democracy for
America," an organization established
by Governor Dean. �The organization encouraged
hundreds of progressive grassroots activists
to run for office and selected 12 to endorse.
In his speech, Dean said that he chose
these candidates because they aren't afraid
to fight for their ideals. 贌e chose these
candidates through recommendations from
his supporters in Missouri and other states.
Chappelle-Nadal said she is honored to be
recognized by Dean as she runs for office
as state representative in the 72 District,
which includes all of Pagedale and Wellston
as well as most of University City north
of Delmar and west of Skinker. As a young
person, I see how important it is to have
our voices heard and taken seriously,"
said Chappelle-Nadal. "At the national
level, the only person speaking my language
of activism has been Howard Dean."
Prior to running for office, Chappelle-Nadal
was senior advocate for Missouri Lt. Governor
Joe Maxwell and previously held the positions
of director of communications and director
of boards and commissions. 狢n the Lt. Governor's
office, she helped shepherd through legislation
such as the "Senior Care and Protection
Act of 2003" and the "Missouri
Senior Rx Generic Drug Rebate." ???"I
am running for office because I am tired
of behind-the-door deals, code words and
bureaucrats - those who leave their idealism
and hope for the future behind," said
Chappelle-Nadal.
 A
native of University City, Chappelle-Nadal
has actively fought for economic development
and volunteerism in the St. Louis area through
organizations such as the University City
Community Forum and the Missouri Community
Service Commission.
I want to get things done for this state,"
said Chappelle-Nadal. "I want to have
the opportunity to work hard, do my best,
speak the truth, and have no fear. 狢 have
the ability and I owe it to the district
that has been my home all my life."
In 2002, Chappelle-Nadal was one of 16
national fellows chosen by the National
Organization for Black Elected Legislative/Women
(NOBEL/Women) and the Center for American
Women and Politics (CAWP) at Rutgers University.
Chappelle-Nadal said she is a champion
for the underserved including children and
young people, seniors, the disabled and
single mothers.
 "I
am one sister who is not going to sell out
my values or my principles for a tray of
crumbs or hollow promises," said Chappelle-Nadal.
"This race is about ordinary people
who have been ignored for far too long and
are often not engaged in the democratic
process. 狢'd like to be a catalyst to change
that reality."
The priorities Chappelle-Nadal will address
in her campaign and if elected include:
Working for excellence in education by
supporting a long-term strategic plan to
adequately fund Education rather than band-aid
funding policies.
Improving our economy by fighting for job
development and training, and by promoting
business development;
Supporting small business by working to
curb the rising cost of healthcare insurance,
and by promoting flexible loan and grant
programs;
Fighting for the civil rights of all Missourians
by working for social and economic justice
for minorities, women, and gay and lesbian
community.
Improving health care by sending more state
dollars to seniors and people with disabilities
to improve their quality of life within
their own homes and by working to educate
citizens on available health care resources.
For more information about Democracy for
America, call Walker Waugh at (802) 651-3200
or visit www.democracyforamerica.com/features/2004/05/12/the_dean_dozen.php
硓or information on Maria Chappelle-Nadal's
campaign, visit www.maria2004.com
. |
出身大學城，曾任密州副州長辦公室聯絡主任的
Maria Chappele-Nadal 向群眾發 表演說時指出，她注重青少年教育、老年人、殘障人士健保及單親家庭之福利。本身
在單親家庭中長大 Maria 非常能體會單親家庭和母親之需要，她的誠懇態度獲得滿場掌
聲，Maria 說，「我雖年青，但我有經驗，有能力，有體力，更重要的是我願意為大
家服務而無所懼」。
