SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 9
(By Senators Prezioso, Unger, Bowman, Fanning, Minard, Weeks,
Bailey, Snyder, Caldwell, Facemyer, Ross, Hunter, Oliverio,
McCabe, Rowe, Plymale, Edgell, Minear, Boley, Sprouse, Deem,
Kessler, White, Jenkins, Sharpe, Dempsey, Love, McKenzie, Smith,
Guills, Chafin, Helmick and Tomblin, Mr. President)
Designating January 21, 2003, as "Disability Awareness Day".
Whereas, There are approximately 400,000 West Virginians with
disabilities who long to be active and participating members of
society; and
Whereas, People with disabilities are proving through
education and rehabilitation that they can be dynamic employees in
the workplace; and
Whereas, West Virginia's disabled citizens have banded
together in a collective group called the Fair Shake Network to
help bring their concerns to the forefront of public awareness; and
Whereas, Organizations such as the Appalachian Center for
Independent Living, Arc of Kanawha and Putnam Counties, Coalition
for West Virginia's Children, Mental Health Association of
Monongalia County, Mountain State Centers for Independent Living,
West Virginia Advocates, West Virginia Assistive Technology System,
West Virginia Association of Persons in Support of Employment, West
Virginia Association of Rehabilitation Facilities, West Virginia Developmental Disabilities Council, West Virginia Family Support
Council, West Virginia Mental Health Consumers Association, West
Virginia Traumatic Brain Injury/Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation
Fund Board, West Virginia Statewide Independent Living Council,
West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services, West Virginia
Autism Society, Early Intervention Interagency Coordinating Council
and the West Virginia Parent Information Project have joined
together to help increase public awareness of issues involving
people with disabilities in West Virginia; and
Whereas, The purpose of Disability Awareness Day is to
increase the awareness of legislators, administrators, policymakers
and the public of the issues that are important to people with
disabilities; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate:
That the Senate hereby designates January 21, 2003, as
"Disability Awareness Day"; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward
a copy of this resolution to the appropriate representatives of the
Fair Shake Network.