SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 7

(By Senators Prezioso, Hunter, McKenzie, Kessler, Jenkins, Stollings, Unger, White and Oliverio)


Designating January 24, 2008, as "Disability Advocacy Day".
Whereas, There are more than 400,000 West Virginians with disabilities; and
Whereas, People with disabilities have the right to equal opportunity to live full productive lives in the community of their choice; and
Whereas, People with disabilities have the right to receive support they need to exercise self-determination, achieve independence, contribute to their communities and become productive employees in the workplace; and
Whereas, West Virginia's citizens with disabilities 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, Such organizations as the Appalachian Center for Independent Living, Mental Health Association of Monongalia County, Mountain State Centers for Independent Living, Northern West Virginia Center for Independent Living, West Virginia Advocates, West Virginia Assistive Technology System, West Virginia Developmental Disabilities Council, West Virginia Mental Health Planning Council, West Virginia Statewide Independent Living Council, West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services, West Virginia Autism Training Center, the ARC of the Three Rivers, the West Virginia State Rehabilitation Council, the West Virginia Alliance for Sustainable Families, the West Virginia Olmstead Office, the West Virginia Hartley/Medley Advocacy Project, Job Squad Incorporated, Children with Special Health Care Needs, the ARC of the Mid-Ohio Valley and the West Virginia University Center for Excellence in Disability have joined together with individual Network members to help increase public awareness of issues involving the many concerns of West Virginians with disabilities; and
Whereas, The purpose of Disability Advocacy Day is to increase the awareness of legislators, administrators, policymakers and the public of the public policy issues that are important to people with disabilities; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate:
That the Senate hereby designates January 24, 2008, as "Disability Advocacy 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.