Updated June 8, 2009 at 3:30 EDT.

Alaska Governor Sarah Palin received the Independent Group Home Living, Inc. 30th Anniversary award on June 7, 2009 presented at the Flowerfield catering hall in St. James New York for her advocacy and defense of people with special needs. Just prior to receiving the award, Governor Palin joined thousands of walkers in a Autism Speaks' "Walk Now For Autism" in Purchase, NY and saw part of a Yankee game.

A fleeting moment....from left, Walter W. Stockton, CEO, Independent Group Home Living, Inc., Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, and husband Todd. June 7, 2009, 6:17 PM EDT.

Governor Palin said she was humbled to receive this award, because IGHL had been advocating for the disabled for 30 years; she had only started when she gave birth to Trig. Her sister Heather was present, along with her nephew Karcher who has autism. Governor Palin spoke about the sanctity of life and the importance of respecting all human beings regardless of their abilities. Regarding her son Trig, Governor Palin said, "God has blessed us, and we don't ask why me? why us?....Without Trig, I don't think we would ever have had our hearts, and our minds, our souls, and ourselves opened up to the passion that you all have and had for many years for the special needs community. Without Trig, I think that that would be absent from us."

"Every single person has purpose, no matter what their developmental abilities....Independence and freedom: they're cherished rights for every citizen regardless of their ability," she said. The Governor renewed her campaign pledge to be a friend and advocate of anyone with special needs. Of the IGHL, Governor Palin said, "you were pioneers....you offered dignity, and you offered independence, instead of basically, candidly, just warehousing people."

Complete video transcript of Governor Palin's speech follows:

Find more videos like this on Team Sarah

Also present were talk show host, Sean Hannity and Congressman Peter King, both staunch supporters of Governor Palin's. Mr. Hannity noted that Governor Palin did her speech without a teleprompter. "Obviously, this was from your heart," he said."I know her passion and her commitment to this cause, which many of you have been involved in for over 30 years," he said. "Whenever we serve other people in need, in our lives, we are serving a higher calling. I have been and continue to be as pro-life as anybody that I know...because...I believe as our founding document says, 'we are all endowed by our Creator.'" The video transcript of Sean Hannity's speech follows:

Find more videos like this on Team Sarah

The Governor's time at IGHL was fleeting. Following a photo session on a footbridge in the main dining area, Governor Palin went into another dining room where the podium was located, received the award, gave her speech then left the building. As this blog goes to press, Governor Palin is in Washington, DC to meet with Alaska's Washington office (John Katz) regarding the AGIA natural gas pipeline.

New York Newsday was the only major newspaper in the New York metropolitan area that provided comprehensive, objective, and respectful coverage of this event, as well as a beautiful photo spread of Governor Palin at Yankee Stadium and at the Autism Speaks walk (not a mention on Autism Speaks site, of Governor Palin's participation in their event). The New York Newsday coverage and photo spread is now part of a reference list.

Most media were not allowed to access the room in which the speech was given, but this author was able to get this shot through the window outside, as his video camera was running inside a room away....so near yet so far away....June 7, 2009, 6:49 PM EDT.

References

Lam, C. (2009, June 7). Sarah Palin speaks at fundraiser in St. James. New York Newsday. Retrieved June 8, 2009 from: http://www.newsday.com/news/local/ny-sarahpalin0608,0,1640711.story

Sarah Palin at Yankees game, on LI. (2009, June 8), New York Newsday. Retrieved June 8, 2009 from: http://www.newsday.com/news/local/ny-palin-pg,0,794332.photogallery

Janison, D. (2009, June 7). Is Sarah Palin running for prez? On Long Island, nobody's saying no. New York Newsday. Retrieved June 8, 2009 from: http://www.newsday.com/news/local/ny-pojanipalin0608-col,0,4798031.column

Alaska Governor Sarah Palin will be honored at an Independent Group Home Living (IGHL), Inc. Gala at the Flowerfield in St. James, NY Sunday June, 7, 2009 from 5 PM till 9 PM. Tickets are $125 per person or $1250 for a table of 12. According to Frank Lombardi, Assistant to the CEO of IGHL, the Governor is confirmed to be speaking at the gala and is being honored for her "advocacy for the rights of people with developmental disabilities" (IGHL, 2009, ¶6). The gala marks IGHL's 30th year of operation (IGHL, 2009, ¶1).

Governor Palin is a mother who has set a fine example on the national stage for families having children with developmental disabilities. As a mother with a Down Syndrome child, Governor Palin has become a symbol to families who are coping with their own children’s special needs. These families look to leaders such as Governor Palin for compassionate attention to the educational and therapeutic programs that are improving their own youngsters chances for learning. IGHL applauds the Governor for her concern for children with disabilities (IGHL, 2009, ¶6).

Governor Palin's support for a culture of life where every child is cherished and protected has been absolute and well-documented here and by colleagues. She has advocated for special needs children throughout her political career and that advocacy became internationally known when she was chosen as John McCain's running mate. Governor Palin has been seen numerous times lovingly holding these children in her arms while on the stump, and after she returned to her gubernatorial duties. She has appeared in advertisements for the Special Olympics, and spoke about special needs in her 2009 State of the State address.

“One of the problems in our community is that because so many parents are home caring for their children who are disabled, few can speak for them politically. Sarah Palin is the mother of a child with Downs Syndrome who has stepped up and become a nationally known advocate for the families of children with developmental disabilities. I am certain that her appearance at our gala will help ensure the success of this important fund-raising event” said Walter W. Stockton, Chief Executive Officer of IGHL (IGHL, 2009, ¶7).

To Reserve Your Place....

To reserve your space or to request more information about the gala, contact Frank Lombardi, Assistant to the CEO, 631-878-8900 ext. 102, or e-mail him at flombardi@ighl.org.

Notes

Note: Governor Palin's schedule is subject to change without notice and she reserves the right to send a substitute or cancel her attendance entirely at this or any other speaking engagement due to gubernatorial emergencies.

The Flowerfield is located at: 199 Mills Pond Rd, St. James, NY.

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Special thanks to Team Sarah member Dennis Mchale for providing this lead.

Commentary

The IGHL could not have found a better advocate for children with special needs than Governor Palin. This is a most fitting honor for her and this recognition is a significant accomplishment item.

References

Governor Sarah Palin named honoree for IGHL gala. (2009). Independent Group Home Living, Inc. Retrieved May 13, 2009 from: http://www.ighl.org/Site/IGHL_Gala.html