Office of the Mayor

Proclamation

Lawrence, Kansas

WHEREAS:   Nearly 48,000 Americans who are blind or who have other disabilities receive trainingi and meaningful employment through AbilityOne (formerly called the Javits-Wagner-O’Day Program); and

WHEREAS:   The AbilityOne program empowers people with disabilities who traditionally face an unemployment rate of thirty-eight percent and rely heavily on social support programs; and

WHEREAS:   Through the AbilityOne program, community based nonprofit organizations, such as Cottonwood, Inc., provide employment opportunities to people with disabilities while providing quality, on-time goods and services to the federal government at a fair price; and

WHEREAS:   In Lawrence, Kansas, Cottonwood, Inc. provides employment opportunities and training for over 300 people who have disabilities, enabling them to lead more productive and meaningful lives, and develop skills necessary for long-term employment; and

WHEREAS:   Lawrence, Kansas recognizes the important contributions of Cottonwood, Inc. to the community and its citizens;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Sue Hack, Mayor of the City of Lawrence, Kansas, do hereby proclaim the month of October 2007 as

“DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH”

in Lawrence, Kansas and hereby commend all persons who are committed to and work toward enhancing employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

                                                                   Sue Hack

Mayor

October 2, 2007