[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 164 (Monday, October 6, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E934]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       RECOGNIZING NATIONAL DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH

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                        HON. JAMES R. WALKINSHAW

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 6, 2025

  Mr. WALKINSHAW. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of National 
Disability Employment Awareness Month, observed each October to honor 
the invaluable contributions of people with disabilities to the 
workforce and to reaffirm our commitment to expand their participation 
in the future.
  In 1945, the Nation first designated a national week to recognize the 
contributions of people with physical disabilities. Designated by 
Congress as NDEAM in 1988, commemoration evolved to acknowledge the 
importance of increasing the number of people with disabilities in the 
workforce. In 2001, the Department of Labor's Office of Disability 
Employment Policy (ODEP) was created and was given responsibility for 
NDEAM and for selecting and helping promote its annual theme.
  This year's theme is ``Celebrating Value and Talent'', which reminds 
us that Americans with disabilities bring innovation, resilience, and 
unique perspectives to our communities and all sectors of our economy.
  As we celebrate NDEAM and disability employment, I want to recognize 
the success of the AbilityOne Program, one of the largest and most 
impactful sources of employment for people who are blind or have 
significant disabilities in the United States.
  Since Congress first established the program over 80 years ago, 
AbilityOne has empowered individuals with disabilities by providing 
meaningful work opportunities through Federal contracts. Today, nearly 
40,000 Americans, including thousands of veterans, are employed on 
these contracts providing essential products and services for Federal 
agencies with excellence, reliability, and pride.
  ServiceSource, based in my Congressional district, is one of 400 
AbilityOne Federal contractors doing this work across the country, 
contributing to workforce development and strengthening communities. I 
commend their efforts and other employers who are actively hiring 
people of all abilities.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing National 
Disability Employment Awareness Month and in advancing policies that 
empower every American to secure a job and thrive. During the month of 
October, we should all reaffirm our commitment to a workforce that 
recognizes and welcomes everyone's contributions.

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