Marc Molinaro: “I thank Chairman Williams for supporting this legislation. Madam Speaker, I rise today to support the ThinkDIFFERENTLY…”

“I thank Chairman Williams for supporting this legislation. Madam Speaker, I rise today to support the ThinkDIFFERENTLY About Disability Employment Act. This is yet one more piece of legislation the House is taking up to build off the work that we began when I served as county executive, our ThinkDIFFERENTLY initiative. I thank Representative Chris Pappas for not only his support and cosponsorship of the legislation but his partnership on issues of significance to those living with intellectual, physical, and developmental disabilities. The ThinkDIFFERENTLY initiative is a call to action. It is now a national model seeking to break down barriers and create opportunities for those living with intellectual, physical, and developmental disabilities. The ThinkDIFFERENTLY About Disability Employment Act does just that. The bill requires cooperation between the SBA and the National Council on Disability to expand employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for our disability community. Reports have shown and we know that nearly 70 percent of those living with intellectual, physical, and developmental disabilities are unemployed. They are relegated to the sidelines. Too many overlook the immense potential our disability community has, especially when it comes to supporting Main Street. Some believe that certain people can't achieve certain things because they presume that they can't. Nothing could be further from the truth.…”