WASHINGTON -- Ivalee Sinclair of Honolulu will be honored here next week at the Jefferson Awards for Public Service national ceremonies for her four decades of advocacy for special education.

Sinclair, who received the local 2008 Jefferson Award from The Honolulu Advertiser, will join honorees from across the country for the series of events Monday and Tuesday.

Sinclair, 79, has worked since 1972 to help more special education families statewide receive services.

Sen. Daniel K. Inouye, D-Hawai`i, said he "applauded" Sinclair for her work on behalf of special education children.

"Because of her work, children with learning disabilities are not ignored and they receive the educational attention they need to be productive students with the fullest potential to be productive adults," Inouye said.

Sinclair continues to push for fair education for students with disabilities, lobbying the state Legislature and working at the Community Children's Council, a group she helped create in 1995.

In 1985, she established Hawai`i Families as Allies to serve youth with serious emotional issues and their families.

Created in 1972, the Jefferson Awards are presented to people who are making a difference in their community through public and community service.