From--
Patricia Leahy
Director of Governmental Affairs
National Rehabilitation Association
Visit our Web Site at :
www.nationalrehab.or
Re: The
Date: Friday, March 23, 2007
For those who read on the run, please take a moment to read this important message from the US Senate, which is attached.
Last evening, Thursday, March 22, 2007, Senate Resolution 120, designating March 22, 2007, as National Rehabilitation Counselor Appreciation Day was read and ultimately passed on the Senate Floor.
This important bipartisan resolution was
principally co-sponsored by Senator Saxby Chambliss of
At approximately 8:30pm last evening, Senate Resolution 120 was read on the Senate Floor by Senator Saxby Chambliss and very shortly thereafter was adopted by the United States Senate.
Congratulations to all Qualified Rehabilitation Counselors everywhere. You deserve this honor.
As we have often said at NRA’s Legislative Summit at which the National Rehabilitation Counselors Day Resolution was announced, one person, one Chapter, can make a difference.
In that spirit, we want to commend our Georgia and
Louisiana Chapters for their assertive advocacy on behalf of Qualified
Rehabilitation Counselors and the individuals whom they serve and, in
particular, we want to thank Dru Fentem of
Our work has just begun. Nothing worth fighting for ever comes easily.
We must continue our advocacy at all levels of government until every Senator, every Congressperson, every Governor, and every Mayor knows of and fully appreciates not only the programs administered under the Rehabilitation Act but the Qualified Rehabilitation Counselors on the front lines of service to others.
We have said often at our Legislative Summits over the past 26 years, that when a representative of government does something for the greater good that person or persons should be thanked.
Accordingly, we ask you to call or email Senators Chambliss (Email click here; 202-224-3521) and Senator Landrieu (Email click here;; 202-224-5824) to thank them for sponsoring Senate Resolution 120 for designating March 22, 2007, as National Rehabilitation Counselor Appreciation Day. If you choose to email both Senators, please copy your home state Senators as well.
Once again congratulations to all Qualified Rehabilitation Counselors everywhere.
Individuals with disabilities, including our wounded warriors, deserve the best we have to give. You are the best and deserve this honor.
Thank You
S. RES. 120
Designating March 22, 2007, as National Rehabilitation Counselors Appreciation Day.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Mr. CHAMBLISS submitted the following resolution
RESOLUTION
Designating March 22, 2007, as National Rehabilitation Counselors Appreciation Day.
Whereas rehabilitation counselors conduct assessments, provide counseling, support to families, and plan and implement rehabilitation programs for those in need;
Whereas the purpose of the professional organizations in rehabilitation is to promote the improvement of rehabilitation services available to persons with disabilities through quality education and rehabilitation research for counselors;
Whereas the various professional organizations, including the National Rehabilitation Association (NRA), Rehabilitation Counselors and Educators Association (RCEA), the National Council on Rehabilitation Education (NCRE), the National Rehabilitation Counseling Association (NRCA), the American Rehabilitation Counseling Association (ARCA), the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC). The Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation (CSAVR), and the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE) have stood firm to advocate up-to-date education and training and the maintenance of professional standards in the field of rehabilitation counseling and education;
Whereas on March 22, 1983, Martha Walker of Kent State University, who was President of NCRE, testified before the Subcommittee on Select Education of the House of Representatives, and was instrumental in bringing to the attention of Congress the need for rehabilitation counselors to be qualified; and
Whereas the efforts of Martha Walker led to the enactment of laws that now require rehabilitation counselors to have proper credentials in order to provide a higher level of quality service to those in need: Now. Therefore, be it
1 Resolved, That the Senate—
2 (1) designates March 22, 2007, as National Re-
3 Habilitation Counselors’ Appreciation Day; and
4 (2) commends all of the hard work and dedication that rehabilitation counselors provide to individuals in need and the numerous efforts that they, multiple professional organizations, have made to assisting those who require rehabilitation
Patricia Leahy
Director of Governmental Affairs and Public Policy
National Rehabilitation Association
633 South Washington Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
1-888-258-4295
NRA Office - 703-836-0850
NRA Fax - 703-836-0848
TDD - 703-836-0849
E-mail -
patricia@nationalrehab.org
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