[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 103 (Thursday, July 22, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S8675]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING THE RETIREMENT OF PAUL STABILE

 Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, I publicly congratulate Paul 
Stabile on a very successful career helping individuals with 
disabilities obtain jobs. He is retiring from the Black Hills Workshop 
on September 13, 2004.
  Over the years, Paul has been extraordinarily committed to exploring 
new roles for people with disabilities in the workforce throughout the 
United States. Paul began his career with the Black Hills Workshop in 
1973 when philosophies about the people with disabilities were making 
dramatic changes. The de-institutionalization of people with 
disabilities in South Dakota was reflective of what was happening all 
over the United States. Paul's friends recall that Paul welcomed dozens 
of men and women to Black Hills Workshop and the Rapid City community 
who had spent their entire lives living in an institution in Redfield. 
Paul offered them support in living, working and assuming a quality of 
life that people with disabilities had never before known.
  In 1996, a separate corporation, Black Hills Services, was formed to 
provide services to the Department of Defense and employment 
opportunities at Ellsworth Air Force Base. Paul was selected to lead 
the new corporation.
  Paul's association with the U.S. Air Force has provided thousands of 
job opportunities to people with disabilities and provided the Air 
Force with much-needed support. Paul's partnership with the Air Force 
has been a shining example to Human Service Agencies around the country 
for people with disabilities.
  During Paul's tenure, Black Hills Services, and the people with 
disabilities that it serves, has been recognized with some of the 
highest honors that can be bestowed by the Air Force. These awards 
include Best Large Commissary in the United States, Best Large 
Merchandise Department-Commissary, R.T. Riney Award, Best Food Services 
and the prestigious Hennessy Award for Best Air Force Dining Facility 
Worldwide.
  Paul also served on the Rapid City Mayor's Committee on Employment of 
People with Disabilities. Paul's leadership has gone beyond South 
Dakota. From 1996 to 2003, Paul was a member of the NISH Board of 
Directors where he served as treasurer and secretary. NISH is the 
nonprofit organization that assists work centers in obtaining and 
maintaining contracts with the Federal Government. In March 2004, in 
recognition of Paul's years of service on behalf of NISH, the Javits-
Wagner-O'Day, JWOD, Program and people with disabilities, the NISH 
Board of Directors granted him the status of emeritus Board member.
  Paul was recently honored with the prestigious Milton ``Milt'' Cohen 
Leadership Award, which recognizes an individual from a Community 
Rehabilitation Program, CRP, working within the JWOD Program. The 
honoree must have demonstrated national leadership qualities leading to 
enhanced employment opportunities for people with severe disabilities. 
Milton Cohen was a respected national leader in the field of vocational 
rehabilitation.
  I've appreciated Paul's insight, advice and counsel on issues of 
importance to people with disabilities in South Dakota. His undying 
commitment and dedication have helped open countless doors of 
opportunities to people with disabilities. Paul's efforts have helped 
tear down barriers--barriers set for those set in attitudes. I wish 
nothing but the best for him and his family. It is with great honor 
that I share his impressive accomplishments with my colleagues.

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