[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 39 (Thursday, April 7, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E583]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              RECOGNIZING THE JAVITS-WAGNER-O'DAY PROGRAM

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. RAY LaHOOD

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 6, 2005

  Mr. LaHOOD. 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 more than 36,000 
Americans, who are blind or who have other disabilities, with the job 
skills and training necessary to earn good wages and benefits as well 
as greater independence and quality of life. 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.
  By employing people with disabilities, the Javits-Wagner-O'Day 
program is able to increase independence and self esteem by helping 
these individuals enjoy full participation in their community and 
market their JWOD skills into other public/private sector jobs.
  Everyday, the National Industries for the Blind and NISH are creating 
new employment opportunities for people with disabilities, along with 
local nonprofit organizations in my home district of central Illinois. 
Demonstrating an excellent federal-private sector partnership, NISH 
National Industries for the Blind and local nonprofits, such as the 
Community Workshop & Training Center, Inc., in my state, enhance 
opportunities for economic and personal independence of people with 
disabilities by creating, sustaining, and improving employment.
  This year, the Community Workshop & Training Center Inc. will be 
celebrating 45 years of proudly providing employment opportunities and 
residential support for individuals with disabilities, enriching their 
quality of life, promoting social change and optimizing their potential 
for independence. They have been proudly participating in the JWOD 
program since 1991 by providing the janitorial services to the U.S. 
Federal Courthouse, including my office in Peoria, Illinois. In that 
time, 49 individuals have been involved, and David Rinaldi, William 
Wolf, Tom Sledge, Mary Kuebler and Tom Sieks are currently benefiting 
from the program.
  On behalf of people with disabilities, I rise to salute the important 
contributions of JWOD and Community Workshop & Training Center, Inc. to 
central Illinois and its citizens. I hereby commend all persons who are 
committed to enhancing employment opportunities for people with 
disabilities.

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