[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 86 (Friday, June 24, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1331]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               TRIBUTE TO THE JAVITS-WAGNER-O'DAY PROGRAM

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. FRED UPTON

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 23, 2005

  Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 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 40,000 Americans 
who are blind or who have other severe disabilities with the job skills 
and training necessary to receive good wages and benefits and gain 
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 programs such as welfare and SSI.
  National Industries for the Blind (NIB) and NISH daily are creating 
new employment opportunities for people with severe disabilities, along 
with local nonprofit organizations in the State of Michigan. 
Demonstrating an excellent Federal-private sector partnership, NISH, 
National Industries for the Blind, and local nonprofits such as 
Goodwill Industries of Southwestern Michigan, Inc. enhance 
opportunities for economic and personal independence of people who are 
blind or who have other severe disabilities, primarily through 
creating, sustaining, and improving employment.
  On behalf of people with disabilities, I rise to salute the important 
contributions of JWOD and Goodwill Industries of Southwestern Michigan, 
Inc. to the city of Kalamazoo and the community as a whole; and hereby 
commend all persons who are committed to and work towards enhancing 
employment opportunities for people with visual and other severe 
disabilities.

                          ____________________