Office of the Mayor

Proclamation

Lawrence, Kansas

WHEREAS:   The AbilityOne program provides over 40,000 people who are blind or who have other severe disabilities with rehabilitation, training, and job coaching necessary to receive good wages and benefits and gather independence and quality of life; and

WHEREAS:   The AbilityOne program empowers people who are blind or have other severe disabilities, over sixty percent of whom do not have jobs 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 who are blind or have other severe disabilities while providing a wide array of quality, 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 are blind or have other severe 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, Michael Dever, Mayor of the City of Lawrence, Kansas, do hereby proclaim October 12 – 19, 2008 as

“ABILITYONE WEEK”

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

                                                                   Michael Dever

Mayor

October 14, 2008