Bill Text: NY K00950 | 2021-2022 | General Assembly | Introduced


Bill Title: Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim October 2022, as Disability Employment Awareness Month in the State of New York

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Passed) 2022-05-23 - adopted [K00950 Detail]

Download: New_York-2021-K00950-Introduced.html

Assembly Resolution No. 950

BY: M. of A. Rules (Buttenschon)

        MEMORIALIZING  Governor  Kathy  Hochul to proclaim
        October 2022,  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   Kathy  Hochul  to  proclaim  October  2022,  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  Kathy  Hochul  to  proclaim  October   2022,   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 Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York.
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