Congresswoman Walorski honored as Advocate of the Year by INARF & INARF PAC

South Bend, IN: Indiana Congresswoman Jackie Walorski has been honored as the INARF Advocate of the Year for 2020 for her leadership and commitment to serving people with disabilities. 

Photo L to R: Patrick Cockrum, INARF PAC Board Chair; Congresswoman Jackie Walorski; John Barth, President/CEO of INARF; Matt Harrington, President/CEO of LOGAN Community Resources, Inc.

Walorski has shown true representation of the intellectual and developmental disability (I/DD) industry in her district during the COVID-19 public health emergency. 

Walorski, Congresswoman for Indiana’s 2nd Congressional District since 2012, sponsored H.R. 7664, which would permit the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to allow certain nonprofit organizations serving individuals with developmental disabilities to be eligible to participate in the paycheck protection program. Her work on this legislation was in direct response to issues raised by constituents, families, and providers in her community.

Lauding Congresswoman Walorski’s contributions on behalf of individuals with developmental disabilities, INARF President and CEO, John Barth, noted Walorski’s responsiveness and swift action in order to address the unintended consequences of well-intentioned legislation during this unprecedented time. “We are very grateful to the Congresswoman and her staff for not only hearing our call, but acting on that call in order to have a meaningful positive impact on the I/DD community.”

​On behalf of the INARF PAC, Patrick Cockrum presented Congresswoman Walorski with her award at LOGAN Community Resources, Inc. in South Bend on September 3 in front of their clients, families, staff, and Board Members. 

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INARF is the principal membership organization in Indiana representing providers of services to people with disabilities. Our members serve over 50,000 Indiana citizens annually and employ nearly 15,000 workers. For over 40 years, INARF has maintained positive work relationships with governmental agencies responsible for human service programs, promoted networking and professional development opportunities for members, and provided leadership and support in the promotion of quality programs for persons with disabilities. INARF is committed to strengthening the system of services and supports for Hoosiers with disabilities.