美國自2008年起將3月22日訂為復健諮商師感謝日美國參議院於上個星期(3/14)通過
自2008年起將3月22日訂為復健諮商師感謝日以彰顯復健諮商師對於社會的貢獻
以此新聞與大家共勉
希望有朝一日我們的努力也會被國人所重視
大家加油 To: The National Rehabilitation Association's Legislative Network
From: Patricia Leahy
Re: Senate Resolution 487 Designates March 22, 2008, as National Rehabilitation Counselor Appreciation Day
Date: Friday, March 14, 2008
For those who read on the run, please take a moment to read the attached important message from the U.S. Senate.
In the wee hours of this morning, March 14, 2008, the United States Senate passed by Unanimous Consent Senate Resolution 487, designating March 22, 2008, as National Rehabilitation Counselor Appreciation Day. The Senate stands in recess until March 31, 2008.
This important bipartisan Resolution was principally co-sponsored by Senator Saxby Chambliss of Georgia and Senator Mary Landrieu of Louisiana.
Congratulations to all qualified Rehabilitation Counselors everywhere. You deserve this honor and we are proud to have assisted the Senate in making this honor a reality once again this year.
As we said again at the National Rehabilitation Association's 27th Annual Government Affairs Summit which just concluded this week, one person, one chapter, can and has made a difference.
In that spirit, on behalf of NRA's 2008 President Ray Feroz, NRA's Executive Committee and NRA's Board of Directors and all in NRA, we want to commend our Georgia and Louisiana Chapters for their assertive advocacy on behalf of Qualified Rehabilitation Counselors and the individuals whom they serve, including our heroes at home.
In particular, we want to thank Dru Fentem of Georgia for her dogged determination once again in shepherding this Resolution to its final destination: The United States Senate.
By way of background and as some of you may know, on March 22, 1983, Martha Lentz Walker of Kent State University, who was President of NCRE at the time, testified before the Subcommittee on Select Education of the U.S. House of Representatives and was instrumental in bringing to the attention of Congress the need for rehabilitation counselors to be qualified.
That message is as important today as it was then and may be even more important with so many of our heroes at home struggling to recapture their economic and personal independence. As we all know, QUALIFICATIONS COUNT. All individuals with disabilities deserve the very best that we have to give. Our qualified rehabilitation counselors and associated qualified VR personnel are the very best we have in our great country and we thank you for the bottom of our hearts for your selfless service over the years to and with individuals with disabilities.
So many of our wounded warriors are returning home with significant disabilities and, you, as the professionals in the field, have the expertise, the experience and the determination to assist these and other individuals in the long road back to recovery. Rehabilitation counselors everywhere, the message is clear: YOU ARE SO IMPORTANT TO THIS COUNTRY AND ITS CITIZENS.
Our wounded warriors have given so much to all of us, they, and other deserving individuals with disabilities, deserve the very best we have to give.
However, our work has just begun. As we have said in the past, nothing worth fighting for ever comes easily.
We must continue our advocacy at all levels of government until every Senator, Congressperson, Governor, and every Mayor knows of and fully appreciates not only the programs administered under the Rehabilitation Act, but the Qualified Rehabilitation Counselors and qualified VR personnel on the front lines of services to others.
As we have often said at NRA's Government Affairs Summits over the past 27 years -- when a representative of government does something for the good of all persons -- that person should be thanked.
In keeping with this sentiment, we ask you to call or e-mail Senators Chambliss (202-224-3521) and Senator Landrieu (202-224-5824) to thank them for sponsoring Senate Resolution 487, designating March 22, 2008, as National Rehabilitation Counselors Appreciation Day.
If you would prefer to thank Senators Landrieu and Chambliss via e-mail, their respective e-mails are:
Saxby.Chambliss@Chambliss.Senate.gov ;
Senator@Landrieu.Senate.gov ;
We also ask that you copy your respective Senators on the e-mail to Senators Landrieu and Chambliss.
Congratulations to qualified rehabilitation counselors everywhere. Today and March 22, 2008, is your day and we in the National Rehabilitation Association join the U.S. Senate in saluting you.
Thank you.
Patricia Leahy
Interim Executive Director
Director of Governmental Affairs and Public Policy
National Rehabilitation Association
633 South Washington Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
1-888-258-4295
NRA Office - 703-836-0850
NRA Fax - 703-836-0848
TDD - 703-836-0849
E-mail -
patricia@nationalrehab.orgNRA Website -
www.nationalrehab.org 