[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 96 (Wednesday, June 11, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1198]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           HONORING GOODWILL INDUSTRIES OF SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HENRY CUELLAR

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 11, 2008

  Mr. CUELLAR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Goodwill Industries 
of San Antonio, Texas, in its mission of helping change lives through 
their participation in the AbilityOne Program. In the city of San 
Antonio, Goodwill has a strong presence, providing over $15,000,000 of 
services in document management, administration, and custodial 
maintenance through the AbilityOne Program. The AbilityOne Program 
provides employment opportunities to those with disabilities.
  The AbilityOne Program got its beginning in 1938 in legislation known 
as the Wagner-O'Day Act, passed by President Roosevelt, which provided 
employment opportunities for the blind. In 1971, the program was 
redesignated as the Javits-Wagner-O'Day, JWOD, Program due to the work 
of Senator Jacob Javits in expanding the program to include people with 
disabilities and allowing the program to provide services to the 
Federal Government. Goodwill Industries of San Antonio was the first 
agency in the Nation to take on a contract provided by the JWOD Program 
shortly after its expansion in 1971, and continues to do so through the 
AbilityOne Program today.
  Currently, Goodwill employs over 300 people in 40 diverse commercial, 
Federal and State contracts. Goodwill is the fourth largest contract 
services provider in the Nation, amongst 170 other Goodwill locations. 
Its history of success and development of working relationships has 
earned Goodwill a 90 percent satisfaction rating for multiple years 
with their customers. I am proud that the employment of people with 
disabilities has played a large role in the operation of Goodwill 
Industries in San Antonio, Texas.
  Madam Speaker, I am honored to have had this time to recognize the 
commitment of Goodwill Industries of San Antonio to ensuring the 
employment of those with disabilities through the AbilityOne Program.

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