[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 47 (Wednesday, March 18, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S3379]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          NATIONAL REHABILITATION COUNSELORS APPRECIATION DAY

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now 
proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 78.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 78) designating March 22, 2009, as 
     ``National Rehabilitation Counselors Appreciation Day.''

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution 
be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motions to reconsider 
be laid upon the table.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 78) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                               S. Res. 78

       Whereas rehabilitation counselors conduct assessments, 
     provide counseling, support families, and plan and implement 
     rehabilitation programs for those in need of rehabilitation;
       Whereas the purpose of professional organizations for 
     rehabilitation counseling and education is to promote the 
     improvement of rehabilitation services available to 
     individuals with disabilities through quality education for 
     counselors and rehabilitation research;
       Whereas various professional organizations, including the 
     National Rehabilitation Association, Rehabilitation 
     Counselors and Educators Association, the National Council on 
     Rehabilitation Education, the National Rehabilitation 
     Counseling Association, the American Rehabilitation 
     Counseling Association, the Commission on Rehabilitation 
     Counselor Certification, the Council of State Administrators 
     of Vocational Rehabilitation, and the Council on 
     Rehabilitation Education, have vigorously advocated up-to-
     date education and training and the maintenance of 
     professional standards in the field of rehabilitation 
     counseling and education;
       Whereas on March 22, 1983, Martha Walker of Kent State 
     University, who was President of the National Council on 
     Rehabilitation Education, testified before the Subcommittee 
     on Select Education of the Committee on Education and Labor 
     of the House of Representatives, and was instrumental in 
     bringing the need for qualified rehabilitation counselors to 
     the attention of Congress; and
       Whereas the efforts of Martha Walker led to the enactment 
     of laws that require rehabilitation counselors to have proper 
     credentials, in order to provide a higher quality of service 
     to those in need of rehabilitation: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates March 22, 2009, as ``National Rehabilitation 
     Counselors Appreciation Day''; and
       (2) commends--
       (A) rehabilitation counselors, for their dedication and the 
     hard work they provide to individuals in need of 
     rehabilitation; and
       (B) professional organizations, for the efforts they have 
     made to assist those who require rehabilitation.

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