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June 22, 2011
AUGUSTA – State Rep. David Webster, D-Freeport, was given an award for his work on behalf of people living with mental illness by a leading mental health and substance abuse agency, Kennebec Behavioral Health (KBH), during its annual dinner on June 16.
Webster received the “KBH Recognition Award” for his “longstanding work in behalf of quality mental health-care legislation.”
“I’m honored and humbled to receive this award,” said Webster. “So many Maine people are living with mental illnesses and substance abuse. We feel their effects across our communities – and sometimes even in our own homes.”
Webster serves on the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee, which is responsible for crafting the state’s budget. During his tenure in the Legislature and as a member of the committee, he has fought to protect Maine’s most vulnerable, the mentally ill, and people with disabilities.
“I’m relieved that we were able to find a responsible way to restore the governor’s proposed cuts to support programs that are so badly needed,” Webster said. “Kicking these people into the streets was just not an option for the committee. Doing so simply makes people more desperate, which has a terrible impact on our communities and ultimately leads to more suffering, greater costs of crime, hospitalization and prisons.”
Webster is in his fourth term as a state representative. He is a founding member and past president of Community Support Services Inc. (now named Community Partners Inc.), which is a Southern Maine agency that serves adults with developmental disabilities. He also served as executive director of the Very Special Arts of Maine, a non-profit organization providing arts, educational and cultural opportunities to children and adults with disabilities in Maine.
Contact:
Jodi Quintero [Webster], 287-1488, c. 841-6279