Senator Jim Munson Supports Stephan Marinoiu Autism Trek

News Release

SENATOR JIM MUNSON SUPPORTS STEFAN MARINOIU IN HIS WALK FOR AUTISM

Thursday, February 7, 2008

OTTAWA, February 7, 2008 – The Honourable Jim Munson (Ottawa – Rideau Canal) extends his support to Stefan Marinoiu who has embarked on a mission to walk from Toronto to Ottawa to increase awareness about autism and the need for increased funding for its treatment. Mr. Marinoiu is the father of a son with autism. The Senator has contacted Mr. Marinoiu’s family and will continue to closely follow his progress.

On the morning of Thursday, January 31, 2008, Mr. Marinoiu left his Toronto home and started walking to Ottawa. His initiative was not carefully planned nor was it in any way publicized – it even caught his wife and older daughter by surprise. Rather, it was the result of the accumulation of frustrations and the feeling of desperation shared by many parents of autistic children. It has now been a week since Mr. Marinoiu’s departure and he has already arrived in Kingston.

Senator Munson wishes Mr. Marinoiu the best of luck with the rest of his journey and assures him that he will be there to welcome him upon his arrival in Ottawa.

Senator Munson launched the Senate Inquiry into the treatment of autism in Canada. This resulted in the publication of the report of the Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology entitled Pay Now or Pay Later. Follow this link to view the report:

http://www.parl.gc.ca/39/1/parlbus/commbus/senate/com-e/soci-e/rep-e/repfinmar07-e.htm

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For more information, please contact: The Honourable Jim Munson Senator (Ottawa – Rideau Canal) Tel: (613) 947-2504 or Lia Marinoiu (Daughter of Mr. Marinoiu) Scarborough ON (416)-412-7656

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