HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 9
(By Delegate Hatfield)
[Introduced January 21, 2003.]
Designating January 21, 2003 as "Disability Awareness Day."
Whereas, There are approximately 400,000 West Virginians with
disabilities; and
Whereas, People with disabilities long to be active and
participating members of society; and
Whereas, People with disabilities are proving themselves
through education and rehabilitation and demonstrating 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 the
many concerns of the disabled in West Virginia; and
Whereas, The purpose of Disability Awareness Day is to increase
the awareness of legislators, administrations, policymakers and the
public of the issues that are important to people with
disabilities; therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Delegates:
That the House 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.
Given under our hands and the SEAL of
The House of Delegates, of West Virginia this 21st
Day of January, 2003.