[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 37 (Wednesday, March 5, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E309]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E309]]
                   RECOGNIZING THE ABILITYONE PROGRAM

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                            HON. GWEN MOORE

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 5, 2008

  Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin. Madam Speaker, today I pay homage to an 
unsung hero among Federal programs. This initiative has found 
innovative ways to employ the blind and severely disabled persons among 
us. I am speaking, of course, of the AbilityOne Program, formerly known 
as the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Program, which in FY07 created over 40,000 
quality jobs for Americans who were blind and/or severely disabled. 
Because of this program, blind and severely disabled people are able to 
gain skills and training that have helped them to find meaningful 
employment, which ultimately improved their quality of life.
  Thanks to the AbilityOne program, blind and severely disabled people 
have more opportunities to more fully participate in society. 
Traditionally, people with these conditions are left with no other 
alternative but to rely heavily on Government programs such as SSI to 
support themselves. AbilityOne gives them more control over their own 
lives and destinies by allowing them to significantly reduce their 
dependence on Government resources. Recent studies have shown that the 
AbilityOne's employment program creates a positive net impact of $46.75 
million to Federal and State governments in both reduction of 
entitlements and increases of payments employees make through income 
and payroll taxes. Moreover, this program also helps them to enhance 
their self esteem by giving them alternative ways of defining 
themselves, their place, and their purpose in the world.
  Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin Inc. is able to provide 
sound employment opportunities and training for 935 blind and disabled 
people through the AbilityOne Program. National Industries for the 
Blind and NISH, along with local nonprofit organizations in Milwaukee, 
Wisconsin are creating new employment opportunities for people who are 
blind or disabled. These local programs right here in our community 
make possible the economic and personal enhancement of physically 
disadvantaged people.
  I commend the efforts of AbilityOne and Goodwill Industries of 
Southeastern Wisconsin Inc. in fighting to bring new opportunities and 
resources to those that are blind or severely disabled. The remarkable 
contributions that they have made to communities in and around 
Milwaukee are significant and worthy of recognition.

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