[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 41 (Thursday, March 13, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E472]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           THE JAVITS-WAGNER O'DAY PROGRAM WORKS FOR AMERICA

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                           HON. RICHARD BURR

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 13, 2003

  Mr. BURR. Mr. Speaker, for the past 64 years the Javits-Wagner-O'Day 
Program has empowered Americans who are blind or severely disabled by 
providing them with a diverse set of employment opportunities. Today, 
38,000 disabled Americans are realizing their potential by working in 
their local communities under this program. These Americans are proud 
to provide the Federal Government and the U.S. Military with a wide 
array of SKILCRAFT brand and other program products and 
services. The Program prides itself on delivering high-quality products 
and services at competitive prices in the most convenient way possible.
  The Javits-Wagner-O'Day Program includes, among other things, the 
following product categories: office supply, military-specific, safety, 
maintenance, repair, medical-surgical, janitorial-sanitation, and 
customization. The services that are provided to federal and military 
customers include, but are not limited to, call center and switchboard 
operation, military base and federal office building supply centers, 
CD-ROM duplication-replication, data entry, document imaging and 
grounds care.
  I rise today in support of the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Program and the 
opportunities it provides for an underemployed population of hard-
working Americans. Sales of these products and services are enabling 
more disabled Americans to have the opportunity to become full members 
of society, including paying into the tax base rather than taking from 
it. Today in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, 127 blind Americans are 
employed under the Program, and are producing quality items and 
services for federal customers.
  The Javits-Wagner-O'Day Program is administered by the Committee for 
Purchase from People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled (appointed by 
the President), with much assistance from National Industries for the 
Blind, NIB, and NISH, which serves people with a wide range of 
disabilities. More than 650 local nonprofit agencies associated with 
NIB and NISH employ people who are blind or disabled to produce the 
products and offer the services authorized for sale to the federal 
government under the Program.
  The Javits-Wagner-O'Day Program is a great illustration of a 
successful partnership, a partnership that has the ability to grow with 
the changing procurement environment within the federal government.

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