[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 106 (Thursday, September 9, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1579]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNIZING THE JAVITS-WAGNER-O'DAY PROGRAM AND PRIDE INDUSTRIES

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JOHN T. DOOLITTLE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 9, 2004

  Mr. DOOLITTLE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a small federal 
program that is often overlooked as a way to provide employment 
opportunities for people with disabilities. The Javits-Wagner-O'Day 
Program, often referred to as JWOD, provides job opportunities to more 
than 38,000 Americans who have severe disabilities or who are blind. 
Under the JWOD Program, these Americans are able to secure jobs and job 
training necessary to receive good wages and benefits and gain greater 
independence, self-esteem, and quality of life. These individuals enjoy 
full participation in their community and are able to market the skills 
they have learned through their work with the JWOD Program into other 
public and private sector jobs.
  The JWOD Program empowers people with disabilities who traditionally 
face an unemployment rate of 70 percent and rely heavily on social 
support programs such as welfare and SSI.
  In my Fourth Congressional District of California and throughout the 
nation, PRIDE Industries, through its excellent federal-private sector 
partnership with NISH, is able to utilize the JWOD Program to create 
and sustain employment opportunities for people with severe 
disabilities.
  On behalf of the many people with disabilities who provide important 
services, I salute the important contributions of the JWOD Program and 
PRIDE Industries headquartered in Roseville, California, and hereby 
commend all persons who are committed to and work towards enhancing 
employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

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