[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 111 (Tuesday, July 30, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1153]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING ABILITYONE CENTERS OF SOUTH CENTRAL INDIANA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. TODD C. YOUNG

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 30, 2013

  Mr. YOUNG of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the great 
work of the AbilityOne Program. As the largest single provider of 
employment for people who are blind or have significant disabilities, 
the AbilityOne Program puts more than 47,000 Americans to work by 
providing products and services to federal and commercial customers. In 
my home State of Indiana, I am pleased to have two AbilityOne centers, 
Bosma Enterprises and the First Chance Center, who help bring Hoosiers 
with disabilities into the workforce.
   Since 1915, Bosma Enterprises has been providing Hoosiers who are 
blind or visually impaired with job training, employment services, 
rehabilitation, and outreach programs, empowering Hoosiers to reach 
their own personal goals while giving them to tools to live 
independently. In the past year, Bosma has been able to change the 
lives of many blind and disabled Hoosiers as they navigated the 
complexities of finding meaningful employment. One of those individuals 
is Ray Montgomery who, at the age of 17, lost his sight as a victim of 
a violent crime. After rehabilitation, Mr. Montgomery graduated college 
and began searching for a job without much success. He then came to 
Bosma Enterprises where they looked beyond his disability and focused 
on his skills and potential. Ray now works in Bosma's production 
facility and is learning new skills to develop personally and 
professionally.
   The First Chance Center in Paoli, Indiana, has helped to provide 
sustainable gainful employment for Hoosiers with disabilities for the 
past 13 years. They promote the abilities of Hoosiers with disabilities 
and provide opportunities for these individuals to fully participate in 
their community. It is through these meaningful job opportunities that 
these Hoosiers have been able to gain marketable skills and confidence. 
The First Chance Center also provides a multitude of other support 
services, including day services for persons with intellectual or 
developmental disabilities and Tot-to-Tot playgroup for children with 
special needs.
   Mr. Speaker, I commend the efforts of Bosma Enterprises, the First 
Chance Center, and other AbilityOne organizations and am grateful for 
the work they do each day to open the doors of opportunity for 
Americans who are blind or have significant disabilities.

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