Proclamation

NATIONAL DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH, 2016

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BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

Americans with disabilities are entitled to the same rights and freedoms as any other citizen -- including the right to dignity and respect in the workplace. Too often in our Nation's history, individuals with disabilities have been eager to work but could not find a job, facing red tape, discrimination, or employers who assumed that disabled meant unable and refused to hire them. This month, we recognize the significant progress our country has made for those living with disabilities, and we honor the lasting contributions and diverse skills they bring to our workforce.

As a country, we must acknowledge that despite the great strides we have made in the 26 years since the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act -- a groundbreaking civil rights law aimed at eliminating discrimination and assuring equality for people with disabilities -- we still have far to go to raise awareness of discriminatory obstacles that individuals with disabilities encounter in employment. Today, the labor force participation rate for Americans with disabilities is less than one-third the rate of those without a disability, and the unemployment rate is more than twice as high for individuals with disabilities. To break down more of these barriers, we must expand access to the resources and training necessary for Americans with disabilities to succeed in the workplace.

My Administration is dedicated to upholding our Nation's promise of equal opportunity for all and advancing employment for people with disabilities in every community. I am proud that the Federal Government is leading by example as a model employer, now employing more Americans with disabilities than at any time in the last 30 years. Last year, the White House hosted a Summit on Disability and Employment to share resources for employers to hire more individuals with disabilities and effective strategies for recruitment, retention, hiring, and promotion of these employees. Two years ago, through updates to Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act, we took action to increase the representation of workers with disabilities in the Federal contractor workforce. In 2014, I signed the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to help the Departments of Labor and Education build initiatives that advance employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities -- and earlier this summer, we issued new regulations to provide greater and more inclusive career development and training opportunities for anyone facing barriers to employment.

This year's National Disability Employment Awareness Month theme focuses on the importance of inclusion, especially when it comes to business, opportunity, and innovation. When we diversify our workforce we create opportunities for growth and improvement -- not just for those with disabilities, but for everyone. This month, let us continue striving to forge a future where workplaces are more inclusive and where employees are more accepted for who they are. And because we know that our country does best when everyone gets their fair shot, let us keep working to ensure no one is left behind or unable to pursue their dreams because of a disability.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim October 2016 as National Disability Employment Awareness Month. I urge all Americans to embrace the talents and skills that individuals with disabilities bring to our workplaces and communities and to promote the right to equal employment opportunity for all people.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand sixteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-first.

BARACK OBAMA

Team Mitsubishi, Bike MS 2016

I got a brief message from the Captain of Mitsubishi Motors Bike MS Team. The message was brief and refers to a promo video I did for the National MS Society's Pacific South Coast Chapter's Bike MS on KTLA channel 5 in Los Angeles  seven or eight years ago. The message reads:

• "Hi Frank. Heads up. KTLA5 may use  a portion of the promo you made in this years spot. They asked me to be  apart of it this year. I mentioned that you are our MS Champion and did the gig a few years ago. Point being is they may use a portion of that spot as part of the promo. Hope all is well."

We moved from Orange County, California to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 5 years ago...And I'm still Team Mitsubishi's MS Champion for the MS Bay to Bay Bike Tour!

Here is the inspirational message that Team Captain David Brooks has added to this year's Bike MS Webpage:

STAND

• We stand at the dawn of a new day. Grateful for a past that was filled with wonder and amazement of both natural and humankind creations. Looking toward a future where imagination and vision are limitlessness.
  To truly live in the world we must always try to see the world as it is. We should always drive to understand, to be open and be ready to listen. We always should question and debate, never fear criticism or consequence. We must always speak from the heart. Always to remember that when we can openly recognize our brothers and sisters and live together as one we can truly claim to be diverse, progressive, spirited and free.
  We are part of Bike MS because some of us have a direct connection with MS but all feel strongly about what we are doing and are passionate about supporting the MS Society. Sixteen years ago our team accepted the call to action from the MS Society. During this time we have seen many advances in MS Research, treatment and assistance to families affected by this disease. We have learned and tried to be strong advocates for the MS community. And we have engaged others to join the MS Movement.
  What does this mean to you? Action from the heart is a force stronger than the physical monuments we have built for our society. These actions mold the present, shape the future and last forever. Your actions fuel others to move closer together, ignite ideas and spark change.
  Let us examine some of our common personal attributes for a moment. We seek meaning, not to just survive. Quality and spirit of life justify and support all of our efforts. All have performed an act of kindness or healed a wound. It is our nature to want to build and create something beautiful. Vitality, passion, will and determination are parts of who we are. Compassion, Love, Trust, Faith and Honor lie in our own hands. These are things that have built the true sum of our souls.
  So you see, when it gets down to it we are very much alike. The key is that responsibility does not lie with leaders or with anyone who is appointed or elected. It lies within each of us.
  As a Team we are identified by a social and ethical balance beyond isolated entities. It’s important not only to have a clear understanding but also an intense sense of performance. A team provides a wider view- that each member will give their time and talent to the common cause. Contribution transitions into a passion to perform. This passion is what fuels the team and ignites will. 
  Whatever form the team takes on also has to serve well-being. It must also include a process of continual self-improvement.  Not as a creed or fixed promise but an attitude. It is about pride in the task, with people knowing that they are pushing themselves to achieve the best that they can. Having genuine interest and excitement in the team’s actions are as important as actual achievement. 
  
  
  It may always seem simple, not always easy. But humanities reason and spirit have often solved the seemingly unsolvable. The engine is a desire to be empowered and fulfilled. The motivation is to achieve, a pride in the task and the peaceful joy of discovery while pushing oneself. We are not discussing an absolute, infinite concept. Not of a dramatic change in the way you live or in your belief. It requires concrete motion and practical application. It is a day to day conviction to do what we can. To do what is right.
  
  This is not a finish, but it is a start. It starts right now. Please join the movement to make the world free of MS. Together we are stronger. Join our team or make a donation. Should we let this dream slip away; we will never truly understand its promise of peace.
  
  
  This year's ride is dedicated to: Frank Austin- Champion (of MS), Bob Dew, Kelly Clark, Starr Velez, Barbara Ferrante, Iginia Felix, Krista Anderson, Matt Bolcer, Diane Foti, Karen Patterson, Amy Courington, Maria Orozco, Dominick Codispodo, Richard Hausman, Joanna Bremner, Stephanie Cole, Donald Songster, Maria Elena Ortega Pew, Yvonne Cofer, Joe Chochrek, Maggie Finn, Yaz Taley, Kim Boileau and Dorothy Witzke. 

Research Funding in FY 2017, from Senator Bob Casey, Pennsylvania

Dear Mr. Austin: Thank you for taking the time to contact me about federal funding for medical research, prevention and awareness efforts. I appreciate hearing from you about this issue. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) conduct vital medical research that is essential to developing preventive measures, treatments and cures for common and rare diseases. Similarly, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conduct prevention research, implement public health strategies and work to promote awareness of health behaviors to create safe and healthful environments throughout the Nation and the world. Fully funding these agencies is critical if we are going to continue to lead the world in biomedical research and to advance vital and cutting-edge research into prevention of and treatment for chronic conditions and diseases. I am a proud member of the NIH Caucus, an organization within the Senate for members who support the work done by the National Institutes of Health. Furthermore, each year as Congress begins its appropriations process, I join my colleagues in signing letters to the Appropriations Committee in support of federal funding for medical research and prevention efforts. Most recently, I authored a bipartisan letter in support of funding for medical research at the NIH for Fiscal Year (FY) 2017, and was joined by 55 other Senators on this letter. Ensuring continued adequate funding for medical research is vital not only for patients, but also for Pennsylvania’s economy and the economic health of our Nation. For that reason, I am pleased to be a cosponsor of two bills that would help to enhance federal funding for this purpose: • S. 289, the American Cures Act, which was introduced by Senator Richard Durbin of Illinois, would increase funding for the NIH, the CDC, the Department of Defense Health Program and the Veterans Medical & Prosthetics Research Program. It would also ensure that this funding increases every year to account for inflation and adjust the budget caps put in place by the sequester to ensure that this funding is not taken from other critical programs. • S. 2624, the National Biomedical Research Act, which was introduced by Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, would create a Biomedical Innovation Fund to provide a new funding stream for the NIH and the Food and Drug Administration. In years when Congress provides increased funding to these agencies, the Innovation Fund would supplement this increase with an additional $5 billion for select initiatives, including the National Cancer Moonshot, the Precision Medicine Initiative and the Brain Research through Advancing InnovativeNeurotechnologies (BRAIN) Initiative. These bills are important steps in providing for an expanded and sustained national investment in biomedical research and innovation. The American Cures Act has been referred to the Committee on the Budget, of which I am not a member, while the National Biomedical Research Act has been referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, of which I am a member. Please be assured that I will continue to advocate for this important legislation. The final budget for the NIH for FY 2016 was about $32 billion. Improving and ensuring health care for all Americans is one of my top priorities in the Senate, and I will continue to fight for federal funding for medical research and prevention efforts as part of that goal. Again, thank you for sharing your thoughts with me. Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future about this or any other matter of importance to you. For more information on this or other issues, I encourage you to visit my website,http://casey.senate.gov. I hope you will find this online office a comprehensive resource to stay up-to-date on my work in Washington, request assistance from my office, or share with me your thoughts on the issues that matter most to you and to Pennsylvania. Sincerely, Bob Casey United States Senator