Political Quotes

“Think about the following motto: ``The power of people and possibilities.'' It embodies a belief that everyone has something to contribute to our society and that meaningful employment helps people achieve the American Dream. I rise today, Mr. Speaker, to recognize the people that are committed to this goal, Challenge Enterprises of North Florida, and the AbilityOne program. Challenge Enterprises is an organization established in 1972 in Clay County, Florida, that presently employs--get this--more than 305 constituents in my district. They employ over 100 people with disabilities as a result of the AbilityOne program, the largest employment program for persons with disabilities. I have been there, Mr. Speaker. I've seen firsthand how AbilityOne enhances the quality of lives. Work changes lives. That is what everybody should have; a reason to get out of bed, a reason to go to work. The program teaches hardworking individuals to load our Navy ships with provisions, to staff the IRS mailroom, to stock shelves, to pull grocery orders for our military personnel, to clean Federal buildings, and to maintain over 70 acres of grounds. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, it is with pleasure that I thank the staff, employees, and volunteers of Challenge Enterprises and the AbilityOne program for helping my constituents in northeast Florida become productive, self-reliant citizens of their community and seeing the worth and value of every individual. ____________________”