Congressman Walter Jones Receives Prestigious AbilityOne Champion Award From RLCB

Creating Good Paying Jobs With Excellent Benefits for People Who Are Blind

WASHINGTON, March 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Representative Walter Jones (R-3rd-North Carolina) was recently named an AbilityOne Champion, in recognition of his efforts creating good paying jobs with excellent benefits for people who are blind.  RLCB Inc. CEO Janet Griffey presented the AbilityOne Champion award to Rep. Jones at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. on March 10.

The AbilityOne Champion Award is given by National Industries for the Blind (NIB) and its associated nonprofit agencies to honor members of Congress for their commitment to the creation of good paying jobs with excellent benefits for individuals who are blind at a net cost savings to the federal government.  

NIB and its 88 community-based nonprofit agencies serve as the largest employer for people who are blind by the sale of SKILCRAFT® products and services through the AbilityOne Program to the federal government.  The program employs nearly 6,000 individuals who are blind, who produce products ranging from military uniforms to pens, and provide services such as call center operations.  

"We are so fortunate to have Representative Jones in Congress supporting our actions to create good paying jobs with excellent benefits for people who are blind," said Griffey.  "Congressman Jones understands that the current 70 percent unemployment rate in our community is unacceptable and he is willing to take action.  The award honors his continued commitment to employ people who are blind."

Congressman Walter Jones stated, "I am very pleased to have received this honor from NIB.  I have always wanted to help our citizens who have endured challenges and are still eager and willing to work hard and prove themselves when given the opportunity.  I was very impressed with the quality of work I saw at the Raleigh Lions Club meeting on February 8.  The quality of this work proves that when people are given an opportunity, great things can happen."

About National Industries for the Blind (NIB)

At National Industries for the Blind (NIB), it is our mission to enhance the opportunities for economic and personal independence of persons who are blind, primarily through creating, sustaining and improving employment. NIB and 88 associated agencies serve as the largest employer for people who are blind by the sale of SKILCRAFT® products and services through the AbilityOne Program, formerly the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Program. For more information regarding how NIB and NIB-associated agencies continue to provide opportunities to Americans who are blind, please visit: www.NIB.org.

SOURCE National Industries for the Blind