[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 2271]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                SUPPORT FOR JAVITS-WAGNER-O'DAY PROGRAM

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                       HON. LYNN A. WESTMORELAND

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 28, 2006

  Mr. WESTMORELAND. Mr. Speaker, I would like to share with my 
colleagues a startling statistic--the 50 percent unemployment rate of 
people with disabilities in this country. For those with severe 
disabilities, the number is even graver at 70 percent.
  It is easy to focus on the disability of a person, not the ability. 
But people with disabilities want to work, and can work. We must 
recognize the potential of all Americans, and provide the opportunities 
needed to allow people with disabilities to become self-sufficient, 
independent, tax-paying citizens.
  To that end, I am proud to support employment opportunities for 
people with disabilities, particularly through the Javits-Wagner-O'Day, 
JWOD, Program.
  The JWOD Program uses the purchasing power of the Federal Government 
to buy products and services from participating, community-based 
nonprofit agencies dedicated to training and employing individuals with 
disabilities.
  The people who are blind or who have other severe disabilities who 
work under the JWOD Program are given the opportunity to acquire job 
skills and training, receive good wages and benefits and gain greater 
independence and quality of life. This program allows people with 
disabilities enjoy full participation in their community and can market 
their JWOD-learned skills into other public and private sector jobs.
  In the United States, the program serves 40,000 people with 
disabilities and generated approximately $280 million in wages earned 
and nearly $1.5 billion in products sold. In Georgia alone, 
approximately 1,000 people with disabilities earned nearly $3 million 
in wages last year as a result of JWOD.
  It is with great pleasure that I recognize the great contributions of 
American workers with disabilities and I encourage others to do so on 
February 23, which is National Disability Day. More importantly, let us 
all remember everyday that every person has ability. Everyone has 
something to share for the greater good. America truly works best when 
all Americans work. I commend the JWOD Program, its supporters, and its 
participants for making a difference where it is needed most.

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