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Maggie Hassan on Families & Children
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Fought for right to education for son with cerebral palsy
A dozen years before running for governor, Maggie Hassan got her start in public service at the invitation of then-Gov. Jeanne Shaheen, the woman she now hopes to serve alongside in the US Senate. A lawyer at the time, Hassan caught Shaheen's eye for her
advocacy work on behalf of children with disabilities, including her son Ben. Now 27, Ben was born with cerebral palsy and cannot walk or speak. Hassan believed he and children like him should have the same access as any child to a good education--and
she fought for it.Shaheen appointed Hassan to a state commission on education funding. Hassan's advocacy work prompted Democrats to encourage her to run for state Senate, winning a seat in 2004.
In the journey from parent advocate to US Senate
candidate, Hassan's home life has helped shape her political philosophy. "I really began to realize it was families like ours, and advocates for those families and elected leaders, public servants, who really made change happen," Hassan said.
Source: ABC News on 2016 New Hampshire Senate race
, Oct 6, 2015
Restore funding for the Children in Need of Services program
From mental health professionals, from parents, from educators and from law enforcement, I have heard over and over again that the loss of the Children in Need of Services program was devastating to the hopes and dreams we have for our young people and
for public safety. This budget includes some reforms. But we cannot neglect our duty to help those at risk and keep our communities safe, and so this budget begins to restore funding for the Children in Need of Services program.
Source: 2013 State of the State N.H. Budget Address
, Feb 14, 2013
Page last updated: Jul 19, 2017