both the blind and the disabled to deduct up to $600 for transportation expenses incurred in going to and from work. This enactment would amend the Internal Revenue Code to provide not only the $600 exemption but would eliminate the inequity existing between the handi- capped or disabled taxpayers and the blind and persons over 65 years of age. Other categories of wage earners or the self-employed are permitted to deduct certain expenses incurred as essential to their income-producing activities. Why not the severely handicapped and disabled? Since they cannot use public transportation, many disabled persons must resort to taxi-cabs and private transportation services. Those with private cars specifically equipped with hand. controls are not even permitted to deduct the cost of this special equipment. Furthermore, clothing of the disabled undergoes greater wear and strain than that of normal persons, and in a great many instances they are required to purchase costly specially made clothing or incur expenses imposed upon them include cost of orthopedic devices, wheelchairs, special housing and higher amusement costs. They are productive citizens and contribute to the economy of the nation. If we are at all concerned with removing them from the welfare rolls and giving them the dignity and self-respect which can come from gainful employment, some incentive should be provided so that they will want to become financially independent. To permit deduction of extraordinary transportation expenses would provide one of the necessary incentives. It is estimated that some 300,000 disabled persons would qualify under this legislation, at a maximum cost to the Government of about $130 each or $40.000,000 per year. This cost seems small when we consider the average cost of from $479 to $544 per year to rehabilitate each disabled individual. What we will be doing through this legislation is helping these people to help themselves and aiding them to achieve some personal independence from institutions, from overburdened families, and from local and state governments. I have high expectations with regard to the passage of H.R. 424 and future legislation assisting the handicapped. Because what alternative does he have but to go back on public assistance if we do not progress and stimulate support for sufficient legislation on behalf of the blind and the disabled? Hon. WILBUR D. MILLS, AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY, AND Chairman, Ways and Means Committee, Longworth Office Building, Washington, D.C. DEAR CHAIRMAN MILLS: Recently, we have received a number of letters from our members with respect to H.R. 424, a bill, concerning certain income tax deductions for handicapped workers, which you have sponsored. A copy of one such letter is enclosed. Although we recognize the heavy schedule which already confronts your Committee, we urge you to seek action on this important bill this year. DEAR MR. WARD: As requested in your letter of April 2 addressed to the attention of Mr. Tony Dechant in our Denver office, enclosed is copy of letter sent to Senator Byrd and the Congressmen concerned with H.R. 424. Sincerely yours, Enclosure. BLUE CARSTENSON, AUGUST 20, 1969. Hon. RUSSELL LONG, Chairman, Senate Finance Committee, Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. DEAR SENATOR LONG: We of the United Auto Workers Union wish to associate ourselves with the position of the Joint Handicapped Council in urging adop tion of the objectives of H. 424 and its identical bill in the Senate, S. 1069. While you are considering the revision of the income tax, we want most especially to call your attention to the very reasonable and extremely deserving objectives of the above mentioned bills. Essentially, the Joint Handicapped Council is asking for an income tax deduction in the case of a disabled individual for expenses of transportation to and from work. An additional exemption for income tax purposes is also proposed for a taxpayer, or spouse, who is disabled. Like many other organizations the United Auto Workers has long cooperated with the various state committees to employ the handicapped. We have supported the President's Committee to Employ the Handicapped. Yet, with all good will and cooperation, we know that the disabled are often the butt of short-sighted hiring and employment policies. When a handicapped worker is returned to employment, it is often at great personal cost. The fact is, as we have observed over many years, the handicapped and the disabled are the most willing of workers. When employed they are equal to all other workers enjoying full use of their physical faculties. The manner in which an additional incentive would be offered to the disabled is set forth in H. 424 and S. 1069. We urge that you bring the subject matter of these bills before your Finance Committee, when it meets to consider tax reform legislation. Thank you. Sincerely yours, PAUL A. WAGNER, Legislative Representatives. Mr. MAURICE WARD, AMERICAN FEDERATION OF LABOR AND CONGRESS OF President, the Joint Handicapped Council, INDUSTRIAL ORGANIZATIONS, Washington, D.C., October 24, 1967. DEAR MR. WARD: Many thanks for your recent letter about H.R. 424. As you know, we have in the past expressed our support for this legislation. Let me assure you that we will continue to give this legislation our careful and sympathetic attention. Sincerely, ANDREW J. BIEMILLER, Director, Department of Legislation. JEWISH WAR VETERANS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Mr. MAURICE WARD, New York, N.Y. President, the Joint Handicapped Council, Washington, D.C., March 10, 1967. DEAR MR. WARD: Your letter of March 9th to the National Commander has been turned over to me for response. As we have indicated in the past, we consider your program centered on H.R. 424 as a most desirable goal. Please be assured of our support. Sincerely, FELIX M. PUTTERMAN, National Legislative Director. MEDICAL SOCIETY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, Hon. NELSON A. ROCKEFELLER, DEAR GOVERNOR ROCKEFELLER: We have received a letter from Mr. Maurice Ward, president of the Joint Handicapped Council, with headquarters in this city, urging that this society "again endorse HR 424 and send letters to Congressmen Wilbur D. Mills, Eugene J. Keogh, Governor Rockefeller, urging passage of HR 424 at this session and recommend that the bill be put on the Agenda at this session." Our Council voted on March 24 to reaffirm the action it took on April 22, 1965 endorsing this bill. I have informed Congressmen Keogh and Mills of this fact. The inclusion of your name in Mr. Ward's letter leads us to believe that the Joint Handicapped Council has asked that you lend your support to the passage of this legislation by Congress. We are happy to join in its request. No doubt you have already been informed of the reasons which make such legislation desirable. Sincerely yours, HENRY I. FINEBERG, M.D., Mr. MAURICE WARD, CATHOLIC CHARITIES, DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN, May 19, 1971. DEAR MR. WARD: I have not as yet had any information concerning your Bill HR 424 introduced by Wilbur Mills. We are certainly in full sympathy with your Bill and its provisions. We sincerely trust that it will meet with the favor of not only the House of Representatives but the Senate and obtain the signature of the President. Previously at your request we had written to the President of the City Council, Sanford Garelik, regarding Bill 525 which allows special parking identification cards for employed as well as unemployed persons. I know that this Bill has much support from any people in the City and I trust that it will satisfactorily pass. Be assured of our interest in your judicial efforts to assist those whom we are interested in. DEAR SIR: This letter is written in support of the enactment of H.R. 424; S. 1069. This action is based on studies conducted over the past three years at the Center for Transportation Studies of the Eagleton Institute, Rutgers University. The findings from these studies favor tax deductions for transportation to and from work as one of the important ways in which transportation can be provided for the handicapped. In the most recent study completed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, it is demonstrated that of 942 respondents analyzed, 160 responses indicate the need for government aid in the form of a tax deduction for travel expenses. This represents about 17 per cent of the handicapped population surveyed or about one handicapped person out of six considered. If this same percentage holds true on a national basis, the need to pass such legislation is imperative. At the present time, some solutions to the transportation problem are delayed mainly because of the inability of the handicapped to afford the passengers fares which vehicular transportation for the handicapped require. The conclusions from these studies, entitled "Transportation Model for Location of Rehabilitation Centers for Handicapped Persons," Site Selection for a Comprehensive Rehabilitation Facility in Southern New Jersey," and "Trans portation for the Handicapped," strongly suppport the recommendation that "Government aid in the form of a tax deduction for travel expenses incurred by the handicapped should be enacted into law without further delay." Sincerely, COOPER B. BRIGHT, Director, Center for Transportation Studies. MARCH 31, 1967. Congressman WILBUR D. MILLS, House Office Building, Senator RUSSELL B. LONG, Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C.: The Transport Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO, urges you to use all the power at your disposal to bring HR424 to a successful vote. As you know, this bill would provide income tax deductions for the transportation costs of orthopedic handicapped people. Such a consideration would make it possible for many such handicapped men and women to become productive members of the nation's economy. We earnestly solicit your support for this humane and economically beneficial measure. MATTHEW GUINAN, International President. DOUGLAS L. MACMAHON, International Secretary-Treasurer. JAMES F. HORST, International Executive Vice President. STATE OF NEW JERSEY, MAURICE WARD, President, The Joint Handicapped Council, DEAR MR. WARD: Thank you for your recent letter and the opportunity to review Congressman Keogh's bill (H.R. 424). I read with concern Congressman Keogh's remarks explaining the added expenses incurred by our orthopedically handicapped citizens in their efforts to carry on in employment and be self-supporting. H.R. 424 would seem to be a reasonable measure intended to relieve this extra burden of cost for the disabled in earning a livelihood. I feel that the bill is directed towards a worthy purpose and that, in principle, merits support. You have my best wishes for your organization in its work in behalf of our handicapped fellow citizens. Sincerely yours, Governor. THE SPEAKER'S ROOMS, Hon. JOHN F. COLLINS, Mayor of Boston, City Hall, Boston, Mass. DEAR MR. MAYOR: I am in receipt of your letter in support of H.R. 424, a copy of which I herewith enclose. You will note this Bill has been introduced by Congressman Mills of Arkansas, who is Chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means, and the Bill has been referred to his Committee. You may rest assured that your views in support of this Bill will receive my serious and profound consideration. I might say that I am communicating with Congressman Mills letting him know of your support of H.R. 424, and in my letter to him, I am enclosing the letter that you sent to me. With kind personal regards, I am Sincerely yours, JOHN. OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR, Springfield, Ill., March 7, 1966. Hon. WILBUR D. MILLS, U.S. Representative, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. DEAR CONGRESSMAN MILLS: Presently pending before Congress is a measure which I feel should be given favorable consideration for passage. This measure, H.R. 424, would provide limited income tax relief for orthoģedically handicapped persons. These persons have many special problems and extraordinary expenses in connection with their efforts to maintain employability and employment. Unless special tax considerations are given, many would be unable to meet these extraordinary expenses and thus might be deprived of reasonable equality of opportunity to earn a living and enjoy the fruits of their labor. Given the special allowances provided for those who quality under the provisions of H.R. 424, many who might otherwise become a burden upon the taxpayers could be gainfully employed and economically self-sufficient. It is my belief that all possible avenues should be explored and utilized to allow the realization of the potentials of disabled persons for employability and gainful employment. H.R. 424 would be helpful to this end. Sincerely, OTTO KERNER, Governor. STATE OF FLORIDA, Hon. EUGENE J. KEOGH, DEAR CONGRESSMAN KEOGH: I endorse and urge favorable consideration of HR 424 at this Session of Congress. It is my understanding that this bill simply allows tax deductions for transportation costs of disabled workers to and from employment. It would appear to me that such allowance would provide great incentive to those handicapped persons seeking gainful employment and who must, at times, accept employment requiring them to travel either by private automobile or public conveyance to and from their work. Best personal regards. HAYDON BURNS, Governor. Mr. MAURICE WARD, President, Joint Handicapped Council, MAINE MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, DEAR MR. WARD: The Council of the Maine Medical Association at it's meeting on June 18, 1961 endorsed the Keogh Bill HR 424. Notice of this action by our Council has been sent to Congressman Wilbur D. Mills, Sam Rayburn and to the Governor of the State of Maine. A copy of this letter is being sent to the Council of the legislative activities of the A.M.A., 535 North Dearborn Street, Chicago 10, Illinois. My thanks for your interest, I am DANIEL F. HANLEY, M.D., Hon. WILBUR D. MILLS. House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. DEAR CONGRESSMAN MILLS: H.R. 424 (Keogh Bill). The City of Miami Commission is of the opinion that the proposed resolution and suggested legislation |