[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 31 (Wednesday, March 12, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E445]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING SEARCHY MARSHALL AS THE PETER J. SALMON NATIONAL BLIND 
                          EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ANNE M. NORTHUP

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 12, 1997

  Mrs. NORTHUP. Mr. Speaker, Congress passed the Wagner-O'Day Act in 
1938 to provide employment opportunities for Americans who are blind. 
Amended as the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act in 1971, today, this program 
continues to provide employment and other support services to thousands 
of people who are blind or have other severe disabilities throughout 
the United States.
  Many of the individuals who participate in the Javits-Wagner-O'Day 
[JWOD] Program are not capable of competitive employment, or do not 
desire competitive employment. The JWOD Act has been a successful 
initiative which has provided gainful and renumerative employment to 
many people who would otherwise have had no employment options.
  Many of the persons served have overcome obstacles to lead fulfilling 
lives. Each year the National Industries for the Blind [NIB], the 
central nonprofit agency for industries for the blind participating in 
the JOWD, selects one outstanding worker as the Peter J. Salmon 
National Blind Employee of the Year. This year one of my constituents, 
Mr. Searchy Marshall, has been nominated to receive this impressive 
honor. I applaud Mr. Marshall for his determination to succeed and his 
dedication to his work. He is truly an inspiration to us all.

                          ____________________