[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 81 (Friday, June 17, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1264]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     RECOGNIZING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE ARC OF HILO AND LANAKILA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. NEIL ABERCROMBIE

                               of hawaii

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 16, 2005

  Mr. ABERCROMBIE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Arc of 
Hilo and Lanakila for their hard work and dedication in improving the 
quality of life for people with developmental or other disabilities in 
Hawaii. I also want to pay tribute to the many achievements and 
contributions of Michael Gleason, the Arc of Hilo's executive director, 
and Marian Tsuji, President/CEO of Lanakila. The Arc of Hilo and 
Lanakila are a Javits-Wagner-O'Day Program (often referred to as JWOD), 
which provides job skills and training to those who are blind or who 
have other severe disabilities so they may earn good wages and benefits 
and gain a greater independence and the quality of life. Overall, 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 Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
  The Arc of Hilo's mission is to improve the quality of life for 
people with developmental and other disabilities in Hawaii through 
educational, recreational, vocational, and skill training as well as 
employment and residential opportunities. Lanakila's mission is to 
offer programs and services for adults with cognitive, physical, social 
or age-related challenges that build and support higher levels of 
independence and an improved quality of life. By employing people who 
are blind or who have other severe disabilities, the Arc of Hilo and 
Lanakila are able to increase independence and self-esteem by helping 
these individuals enjoy full participation in their communities and 
market their JWOD skills to other public/private sector employers.
  Demonstrating an excellent federal-private sector partnership, NISH, 
NIB, and local nonprofits such as the Arc of Hilo and Lanakila enhance 
the opportunities for economic and personal independence of people who 
are blind or who have other severe disabilities, primarily through 
creating, sustaining, and improving employment. Through the JWOD 
program, the Arc of Hilo provides employment opportunities and training 
for 60 people with visual and other severe disabilities enabling them 
to lead more productive and meaningful lives, support their families, 
and gain important work experience.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing the important 
contributions of the Arc of Hilo and Lanakila in the great aloha state 
of Hawaii. I commend all persons who are committed to and work towards 
enhancing employment opportunities for people with visual and other 
severe disabilities.

                          ____________________