JANUARY 25, 2007

The Michigan Paralyzed Veterans of America (MPVA) has honored Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land as its "Public Servant of the Year" for 2006 in recognition of her work on behalf of people with disabilities.

Land was presented with the Lee J. Doser Jr. Memorial Public Servant of the Year Award today during an MPVA board meeting in Novi. The honor is given every two years to a public official whose performance of duty most benefits the paralyzed veterans of Michigan.

"I sincerely appreciate being selected for this very meaningful award," Land said. "At the Department of State, we strive to make things simpler and easier for the people of Michigan. That particularly means working with the disability community to help remove barriers, and we will continue to do so wherever possible."

MPVA President Kevin Elya applauded Land's efforts in promoting www.ThePumpGuide.com, the MPVA's online directory of gas stations that provide free refueling assistance to motorists with disabilities. He also cited her cooperation with the disability community in selecting and implementing new voting machines that allow those with disabilities to participate equally in elections, as well as her "Be Safe, Be Seen" public awareness campaign for pedestrian safety.

"Secretary of State Land has demonstrated her sincere commitment to serving all Michigan residents with an emphasis on innovative services and programs for people with disabilities," said Elya. "She is a model for all public servants and sets a new standard for the office of Secretary of State."

MPVA is a 45-year-old nonprofit organization that seeks "the highest possible quality of life" for veterans with spinal cord injuries or disorders and all people with disabilities in Michigan. Its public service award is named after Lee J. Doser Jr., who was a past MPVA president and the organization's first executive director. MPVA is a member chapter of the Paralyzed Veterans of America.

In November, Land was honored by the Michigan Rehabilitation Conference for excellence in "furthering the understanding of and advancement of individuals with disabilities."