Bill Text: NY J00566 | 2021-2022 | General Assembly | Introduced

New York Senate Resolution 566 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim October 2021, as Disability Employment Awareness Month in the State of New York

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 43-20)

Status: (Passed) 2021-03-31 - ADOPTED [J00566 Detail]

Download: New_York-2021-J00566-Introduced.html


Senate Resolution No. 566

BY: Senator MANNION

        MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
        October  2021,  as  Disability  Employment Awareness
        Month in the State of New York

  WHEREAS, It is the conviction of this Legislative  Body  that  those
individuals  who  faithfully  serve  the  needs of the community and its
citizens  with  steadfast  dedication   and   compassionate   commitment
profoundly  strengthen  our  shared  commitment  to family and community
life; and

  WHEREAS, It is, furthermore, the practice of this  Legislative  Body
to  recognize  the efforts of essential employees with disabilities who,
in providing vital care and support to people in the communities  across
New  York State, serve to enhance the quality of life for our residents;
and

  WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and  in  full  accord  with  its
long-standing  traditions,  this  Legislative  Body  is  justly proud to
memorialize Governor Andrew  M.  Cuomo  to  proclaim  October  2021,  as
Disability  Employment  Awareness  Month  in  the  State of New York, in
conjunction  with  the  observance  of  National  Disability  Employment
Awareness Month; and

  WHEREAS,  The  purpose  of  National Disability Employment Awareness
Month is to educate and  raise  awareness  about  disability  employment
issues  and  celebrate  the  many  and varied contributions of America's
workers with disabilities; and

  WHEREAS, The history of  National  Disability  Employment  Awareness
Month  traces  back  to  1945, when Congress enacted a law declaring the
first week in October  each  year  as  National  Employ  the  Physically
Handicapped Week; and

  WHEREAS,  In  1962, the word "physically" was removed to acknowledge
the employment needs and contributions of individuals with all types  of
disabilities; and

  WHEREAS,  In 1988, Congress expanded the week to a month and changed
the name to National Disability Employment Awareness Month; and

  WHEREAS, The State of New York  has  recognized  the  importance  of
these  workers  by  passing  laws  which support hiring individuals with
disabilities; Executive Order No. 136, signed by Governor  Andrew  Cuomo
on  September  17,  2014,  establishes  New  York as an Employment First
State; and

  WHEREAS,  Workplaces  welcoming  of  the  talents  of  all   people,
including  people  with disabilities, are a critical part of our efforts
to build an inclusive community and strong economy; and

  WHEREAS, Activities during this month will reinforce the  value  and
talent  people  with  disabilities add to our workplaces and communities
and affirm State's commitment to an inclusive community  that  increases

access   and   opportunities   to   all,   including   individuals  with
disabilities; and

  WHEREAS,   Essential   workers  with  disabilities  have  played  an
important role in keeping New Yorkers safe and healthy including  during
the COVID-19 pandemic; and

  WHEREAS,  Many  essential  employees  with disabilities work through
disability job placement service providers which provide  training,  job
coaching and other needed supports to help individuals perform essential
work; and

  WHEREAS,  Preferred  Source  contracts  for essential services arise
under New York State and local government programs which are intended to
provide employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities; and

  WHEREAS, The essential work performed during the  COVID-19  pandemic
includes  work  done  in  supermarkets,  grocery  stores  and other food
service establishments;  manufacturing  and  delivery  of  thousands  of
critical products needed by New Yorkers, especially during the pandemic,
including   personal  protective  equipment,  hand  sanitizer,  cleaning
products,  disinfectants,  first  aid  kits,  examination  gloves,  face
shields and bathroom tissue; and

  WHEREAS, Janitorial and maintenance work providing deep-cleaning and
disinfecting   services   essential  to  locations  such  as  hospitals,
government buildings, transportation hubs and vehicles, other  locations
where  first  responders  and essential workers perform, and stepping up
custodial  efforts  to  address  known  COVID-19   incident   locations;
pharmacies;  homeless  shelters;  nursing  homes;  warehouses; messenger
work; and numerous other professions and locations; and

  WHEREAS, The essential employees with disabilities who perform these
jobs play a central and invaluable  role  in  protecting  New  York  and
fighting the COVID-19 pandemic; and

  WHEREAS,  Essential  employees  with  disabilities have continued to
perform their regular duties and more throughout the COVID-19  pandemic,
are  vital  to  the economy of New York State, were essential before the
COVID-19 pandemic, and will continue to be essential after the  COVID-19
pandemic has passed into history; and

  WHEREAS,  These  jobs  provide  greater independence for people with
disabilities who become tax-paying contributors to the economy and which
are vital to the economic  security  and  personal  fulfillment  of  the
individuals who perform them; and

  WHEREAS,  While  others are safely under quarantine, these loyal and
dependable public servants continue to provide essential services to the
residents of New York State; and

  WHEREAS, Employers as well as New Yorkers across  the  State  should
celebrate  essential  employees  with disabilities by taking a moment to
just say thank you to those workers in their community; and

  WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative  Body  that  those  who
enhance the quality of life in their community and have shown a long and
sustained  commitment  to  the  maintenance  of  high standards in their

profession, certainly have earned the recognition and  applause  of  all
the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew  M.  Cuomo  to  proclaim  October  2021,  as
Disability  Employment  Awareness Month in the State of New York; and be
it further

  RESOLVED, That a copy of this  Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be
transmitted  to  The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of
New York.