Senator Harkin and Congressman Young Highlight Enable America Anniversary Events
Washington, DC, September 28, 2012 --(PR.com)-- Enable America marked ten years of service to improving employment opportunities for people with disabilities through a series of events in Washington D.C. this month, including a Capitol Hill reception in honor of Senator Tom Harkin and Congressman C.W. “Bill” Young.
“People working together are really at the heart and soul of Enable America,” said Richard Salem, the organization’s founder and CEO, as he addressed the gathering from a rooftop reception that overlooked the U.S. Capitol. “A lot has changed in the last ten years, but the commitment and support of people like Senator Tom Harkin, Iowa Governor Chet Culver, Chairman Bill Young and many of you in your organizations has been unwavering, and for that we are appreciative.”
Following Mr. Salem’s remarks, Enable America presented awards of appreciation to both Senator Harkin and Congressman Young for their ongoing work to increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
“Employment of people with disabilities is not something that is a charitable act. That's not what we're about,” Senator Harkin said in his remarks. “What we're about is making sure that every individual has the opportunity to work, to work in a job that he or she enjoys, one that challenges them, and gives them the ability to proceed and to grow and develop more. And with the stamp of approval from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce that we're going to increase by 20% employment of people with disabilities by 2015, we now are really going to start moving. That is where Enable America, under the great leadership of my dear friend Richard Salem, is right there, ready to go!”
Congressman Young was unable to personally attend the event, but earlier in the day read a proclamation on the floor of the U.S. House, in honor of Enable America’s achievements.
“With more than 70 percent of adults with disabilities wanting to work so that they can live independently, the programs that Enable America has developed helps them achieve this goal,” Congressman Young said. “Enable America's committed staff knows that having a job gives people self-esteem, independence and pride. They have a place in the community and are able to grow and become their own person.”
The reception was one part in a series of Washington events marking the occasion of Enable America’s anniversary. Earlier in the day a roundtable policy discussion was held with leaders from government, social service agencies, and businesses, to discuss achievements and the challenges ahead in the area of employment for people with disabilities.
Enable America also conducted Job-Site Mentoring Days at several Washington locations, in which people with disabilities spent the day getting on-the-job experience. The FBI and Clark Construction, along with the Capitol Hill offices of Senator Harkin and Congressman Young, all participated.
The organization’s events were made possible by sponsorship by IAP Worldwide Services, a leading provider of global-scale logistics, facilities management, and advanced professional and technical services, and Clark Construction, one of the most experienced and respected providers of construction services. The United Brotherhood of Carpenters donated the rooftop location at 101 Constitution.
“I am proud that IAP is a strong supporter of Enable America and the worthy goal of improving employment opportunities for Americans with disabilities,” said General Charles Dominy (Ret.), IAP Vice President of Government Affairs. “There is a strong business case for hiring individuals with disabilities that relates to reliability and productivity. It’s a win-win for all concerned.”
Enable America is committed to providing hands-on services that directly impact people with disabilities, such as its Job Skills Workshops, in which participants work with human resource professionals to enhance their ability to find meaningful employment. The organization’s VetConnect services are also increasingly in demand and help businesses grow the population of disabled veterans and wounded warriors in their workforce.
“As we move forward, I ask you to join with us, hold hands, and let's make a difference,” Salem said as he concluded his remarks. “Make a difference in the next ten years so that we can increase those opportunities, allow people, especially this ADA generation coming up, these Wounded Warriors and their families, to really live, enjoy and embrace the American dream.”
About Enable America: Established in 2002 by attorney Richard Salem, Enable America builds bridges between employers, social service agencies, and people with disabilities, including disabled veterans and wounded warriors, through programs that improve employment opportunities. The organization’s Community Connections, Business Connections, Employment Mentoring, Job Skills Workshops and VetConnect programs unite members of the disability community and business community to raise awareness and increase employment opportunities for the more than 56 million Americans with disabilities. Information and success stories can be found at EnableAmerica.org.
“People working together are really at the heart and soul of Enable America,” said Richard Salem, the organization’s founder and CEO, as he addressed the gathering from a rooftop reception that overlooked the U.S. Capitol. “A lot has changed in the last ten years, but the commitment and support of people like Senator Tom Harkin, Iowa Governor Chet Culver, Chairman Bill Young and many of you in your organizations has been unwavering, and for that we are appreciative.”
Following Mr. Salem’s remarks, Enable America presented awards of appreciation to both Senator Harkin and Congressman Young for their ongoing work to increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
“Employment of people with disabilities is not something that is a charitable act. That's not what we're about,” Senator Harkin said in his remarks. “What we're about is making sure that every individual has the opportunity to work, to work in a job that he or she enjoys, one that challenges them, and gives them the ability to proceed and to grow and develop more. And with the stamp of approval from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce that we're going to increase by 20% employment of people with disabilities by 2015, we now are really going to start moving. That is where Enable America, under the great leadership of my dear friend Richard Salem, is right there, ready to go!”
Congressman Young was unable to personally attend the event, but earlier in the day read a proclamation on the floor of the U.S. House, in honor of Enable America’s achievements.
“With more than 70 percent of adults with disabilities wanting to work so that they can live independently, the programs that Enable America has developed helps them achieve this goal,” Congressman Young said. “Enable America's committed staff knows that having a job gives people self-esteem, independence and pride. They have a place in the community and are able to grow and become their own person.”
The reception was one part in a series of Washington events marking the occasion of Enable America’s anniversary. Earlier in the day a roundtable policy discussion was held with leaders from government, social service agencies, and businesses, to discuss achievements and the challenges ahead in the area of employment for people with disabilities.
Enable America also conducted Job-Site Mentoring Days at several Washington locations, in which people with disabilities spent the day getting on-the-job experience. The FBI and Clark Construction, along with the Capitol Hill offices of Senator Harkin and Congressman Young, all participated.
The organization’s events were made possible by sponsorship by IAP Worldwide Services, a leading provider of global-scale logistics, facilities management, and advanced professional and technical services, and Clark Construction, one of the most experienced and respected providers of construction services. The United Brotherhood of Carpenters donated the rooftop location at 101 Constitution.
“I am proud that IAP is a strong supporter of Enable America and the worthy goal of improving employment opportunities for Americans with disabilities,” said General Charles Dominy (Ret.), IAP Vice President of Government Affairs. “There is a strong business case for hiring individuals with disabilities that relates to reliability and productivity. It’s a win-win for all concerned.”
Enable America is committed to providing hands-on services that directly impact people with disabilities, such as its Job Skills Workshops, in which participants work with human resource professionals to enhance their ability to find meaningful employment. The organization’s VetConnect services are also increasingly in demand and help businesses grow the population of disabled veterans and wounded warriors in their workforce.
“As we move forward, I ask you to join with us, hold hands, and let's make a difference,” Salem said as he concluded his remarks. “Make a difference in the next ten years so that we can increase those opportunities, allow people, especially this ADA generation coming up, these Wounded Warriors and their families, to really live, enjoy and embrace the American dream.”
About Enable America: Established in 2002 by attorney Richard Salem, Enable America builds bridges between employers, social service agencies, and people with disabilities, including disabled veterans and wounded warriors, through programs that improve employment opportunities. The organization’s Community Connections, Business Connections, Employment Mentoring, Job Skills Workshops and VetConnect programs unite members of the disability community and business community to raise awareness and increase employment opportunities for the more than 56 million Americans with disabilities. Information and success stories can be found at EnableAmerica.org.
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Enable America
Chris Jadick
813-222-3204
http://www.enableamerica.org
Chris Jadick
813-222-3204
http://www.enableamerica.org
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