Today, March 22, is National Rehabilitation Counselor Appreciation Day, and we want to take this opportunity to thank not only counselors but all GVRA staff for their tireless work. What you do can be hard at times, but you weather so many storms, and you do so because of your commitment to helping others. On behalf of all of GVRA, thank you for your service.

Here's GVRA Executive Director Greg Schmieg reading this year's proclamation, and his comments are transcribed below.

"Hey, good morning everybody. In case you didn't know this, Today is National Rehabilitation Counselor Appreciation Day. It was passed by the U.S. Senate. I'm going to read it to you now.

RESOLUTION

Designating March 22, 2016, as National Rehabilitation Counselors Appreciation Day.

Whereas rehabilitation counselors conduct assessments, provide counseling, support families, and plan and implement rehabilitation programs for individuals in need of rehabilitation;

Whereas the purpose of professional organizations for rehabilitation counseling and education is to promote the improvement of rehabilitation services available to individuals with disabilities through quality education for counselors and rehabilitation research;

Whereas various professional organizations have vigorously advocated up-to-date education and training and the maintenance of professional standards in the field of rehabilitation counseling and education, including—

the National Rehabilitation Association;

the Rehabilitation Counselors and Educators Association;

the National Council on Rehabilitation Education;

the National Rehabilitation Counseling Association;

the American Rehabilitation Counseling Association;

the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification;

the Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation; and

the Council on Rehabilitation Education;

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

Whereas the efforts of the National Council on Rehabilitation Education led to the enactment of laws that require rehabilitation counselors to have proper credentials, in order to provide a higher quality of service to those in need of rehabilitation: Now, therefore, be it

That the Senate—

designates March 22, 2016, as National Rehabilitation Counselors Appreciation Day; and

commends—

rehabilitation counselors, for the dedication and hard work rehabilitation counselors provide to individuals in need of rehabilitation; and

professional organizations, for the efforts professional organizations have made to assist those who require rehabilitation.

So, to all our Rehabilitation Counselors at GVRA, I want to thank you personally. Also, one of our board members, Tom Wilson, was instrumental in making this a reality. But again, I want to thank all of you for what you do for Georgians with disabilities. Enjoy your day because it is your day."