Wealth of autism knowledge shown

To the editor:I am writing in response to the visit of the Blue Ribbon Panel on Autism in Missouri that was held July 20 in Cape Girardeau. As chairman of the panel, I was extremely impressed at the turnout of interested parties and the wealth of knowledge that has been gathered on autism in Southeast Missouri.

I also wanted to personally convey how impressed I was to hear of all the hard work and support that state Sen. Jason Crowell of Cape Girardeau has done on this issue. Crowell was instrumental in getting funding and support for the Tailor Center and for the recent increase of funds awarded by Gov. Matt Blunt this past legislative session. Southeast Missouri has shown itself a leader in the state for autism awareness, and their elected representative to the Missouri Senate has done a great job in increasing that awareness statewide. Please keep up the great work on this important issue.

SCOTT T. RUPP, Chairman, Missouri Blue Ribbon Panel on Autism, Wentzville, Mo.