WHEREAS, the Job Opportunities for the Blind Program is the nation's foremost placement program for the blind;
AND, WHEREAS, this tremendously successful program has placed far and away more blind people than any other program which offers placement to the blind within the same period;
AND, WHEREAS, the services of this program are unique in our nation and are of vital importance to the blind inasmuch as the unemployment rate for blind people is always five to ten times greater than that of the general public;
AND, WHEREAS, The National Federation of the Blind operating the Job Opportunities for the Blind Program in conjunction with the Department of Labor has offered the only bright spot in the employment future of the blind and has thereby provided not only direct job placement but stimulation and encouragement as well for thousands of unemployed blind people;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland in Convention assembled this 15th day of October, 1983 in the City of Gaithersburg, Maryland, that we call on the Department of Labor to renew the contract of the Job Opportunities for the Blind Program and continue its vital and essential work;
AND, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we call upon the members of the Maryland Congressional Delegation to provide adequate funding for continued support of the Job Opportunities for the Blind Program;
AND, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we call upon the members of the Maryland Congressional Delegation to contact the Department of Labor and express their support for this most worthwhile program.