WHEREAS, March 22nd is designated as National Rehabilitation Counselor Appreciation Day, we take this day to honor those dedicated professionals who work to make a difference in the lives of Nevadans with disabilities; and

WHEREAS, rehabilitation counselors working in 13 offices across our great State conduct assessments, provide counseling and guidance, work to ensure a meaningful transition from school to work, develop individualized plans for employment, coordinate services, find jobs and work to increase the independence and self-sufficiency of Nevadans with disabilities; and

WHEREAS, March 22, 1983, the president of the National Council on Rehabilitation Education testified before the House Education and Labor Subcommittee on Select Education and was instrumental in bringing the need for qualified rehabilitation counselors to the attention of the United States Congress; and

WHEREAS, the efforts of the National Council on Rehabilitation Education led to the professional standards required to provide high quality services to those in need of vocational rehabilitation services; and

WHEREAS, rehabilitation counselors play an important role in fulfilling the promise of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) by supporting people with disabilities to achieve goals for employment and by promoting awareness and understanding of equal opportunity and treatment in the workplace; and

WHEREAS, Nevada employs 51 rehabilitation counselors, serving nearly 3,000 Nevadans, across 17 counties, with compassion, dedication, fidelity and with the true spirit of rehabilitation. We thank them, we appreciate them, and we honor them on this day and every day;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOE LOMBARDO, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, do hereby proclaim March 22, 2023 as

NATIONAL REHABILITATION COUNSELOR APPRECIATION DAY IN NEVADA