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For Immediate Release
April 19, 2004
REP. DICKS RECEIVES 'CONGRESSIONAL CHAMPION' AWARD
FROM DISABLED WORKER ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION
TACOMA WA – While visiting a vehicle repair facility operated by a contractor employing several disabled workers today, U.S. Rep. Norm Dicks was awarded a "Congressional Champion" citation by representatives of the National Industries for the Severely Handicapped organization to recognize his efforts to encourage hiring of handicapped workers in the Department of Defense.
The non-profit organization seeks to broaden job opportunities for disabled persons by providing technical assistance to public and community agencies interested in obtaining federal contracts under the "Javits-Wagner-O'Day" program -- the federal law originally passed in 1938 to direct government purchases to non-profit agencies hiring blind workers. The program was later broadened to include workers with other types of disabilities, and it functions today as the primary federal incentive for employing handicapped and severely disabled individuals.
Rep. Dicks was recognized for his help in assuring that special direction was inserted into the Defense Appropriations bill, stipulating that "qualified nonprofit agencies for the blind or other severely handicapped shall be afforded the maximum practicable opportunity to participate as subcontractors and suppliers in the performance of contracts let by the Department of Defense."
"I am encouraged that many agencies of the federal government have recognized the importance of finding work that can be accomplished by handicapped and disabled workers. And the reality is that this is high quality work, accomplished in a proud tradition here in Tacoma and across the nation," Rep. Dicks stated during his visit to the Fort Lewis facility, operated by the non-profit Skookum Corp. He added that disabled workers are currently engaged in contracts at nearly every military installation in Washington State.
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