1Designating the month of October 2013 as "National Disability
2Employment Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.

3WHEREAS, October is recognized as National Disability
4Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM); and

5WHEREAS, During this month we pay tribute to the
6accomplishments of both men and women with disabilities whose
7work helps keep the nation's economy strong by reaffirming the
8commitment to ensure equal opportunity for everyone in America;
9and

10WHEREAS, The effort to educate the public concerning issues
11related to disability and employment began in 1945 when Congress
12enacted Public Law 176 which declared the first week of October
13as National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week; and

14WHEREAS, In 1962 the word "Physically" was removed in order
15to acknowledge the employment needs and contributions of persons
16with all forms of disabilities; and

1WHEREAS, Twenty-five years later, Congress expanded the week-
2long recognition to a month, changing the title to National
3Disability Employment Awareness Month; and

4WHEREAS, The United States Department of Labor's Office of
5Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) official theme for October's
6National Disability Employment Awareness Month: "Because We Are
7Equal to the Task," reflects the realty that people with
8disabilities have the education, training, experience and desire
9to be successful in the workplace; and

10WHEREAS, This year's theme echoes the message of ODEP's
11ongoing "Campaign for Disability Employment" to promote positive
12employment outcomes for people with disabilities and expand
13ideas about what youths with disabilities can do when they
14receive encouragement and support for their ambitions; and

15WHEREAS, Conducted in collaboration with business and
16disability organizations, the campaign emphasized that, at work,
17it is what people can do that matters; and

18WHEREAS, People with disabilities must also have the
19opportunities available to work; and

20WHEREAS, With both opportunities and choices available,
21people with disabilities will have the ability to maximize the
22many talents that they have; and

23WHEREAS, People with disabilities must be woven into our work
24culture; and

25WHEREAS, Most of the Federal Government's employment
26practices related to people with disabilities originated from
27the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; therefore be it

28RESOLVED, That the Senate designate the month of October 2013
29as "National Disability Employment Awareness Month" in
30Pennsylvania.