Congresswoman Matsui Recognized as an AbilityOne Champion – Creating Jobs for People with Significant Disabilities

ROSEVILLE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--On Friday, August 31, 2012 PRIDE Industries honored Congresswoman Doris Matsui as an AbilityOne® Champion, in recognition of her commitment to improving the lives of Americans with significant disabilities through employment. The presentation took place in her district at PRIDE Industries’ Sacramento Facility.

“PRIDE Industries is a shining example of how nonprofits, business and government agencies can work together to support people with disabilities while receiving quality work and saving money on their bottom line”

The AbilityOne Program is a Federal initiative to help people who are blind or have significant disabilities find employment by working within a national network of over 600 nonprofit agencies that sell products and services to the U.S. government. More than 50,000 individuals are employed through the Program and its network of affiliated nonprofit agencies like locally-headquartered PRIDE Industries.

An AbilityOne Champion is an elected policymaker who has demonstrated significant support of the Program and participating nonprofit agencies in their district or state.

"Congresswoman Matsui is a long-time friend and supporter of PRIDE Industries," says Michael Ziegler, President and Chief Executive Officer, PRIDE Industries. "She understands the powerful impact that the Federal Government through the AbilityOne program can make on changing lives - one job at a time. I am grateful for Congresswoman Matsui's support of job creation for people with disabilities here at home and across the nation."

According to Bob Chamberlin, President and CEO of NISH, “Individuals with disabilities are employed in part because of an Act of Congress—The Javits Wagner O’Day Act. While the Program has been in place for nearly 75 years, its modern day champions like Congresswoman Matsui that keep the Program strong. Residents of California’s 5th District should take pride in her commitment to employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities."

PRIDE Industries employs nearly 1,000 individuals on AbilityOne contracts including nearly 350 in the state of California.

“PRIDE Industries is a shining example of how nonprofits, business and government agencies can work together to support people with disabilities while receiving quality work and saving money on their bottom line,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “I am honored to be recognized as an AbilityOne Champion and will continue to support this successful and important program.”

About NISH and AbilityOne

NISH–Creating Employment for People with Significant Disabilities Established in 1974, NISH (www.nish.org) is an AbilityOne® authorized enterprise, one of two national, nonprofit agencies designated by the U.S. AbilityOne Commission™ in accordance with U.S.C. Chapter 85. NISH supports nonprofit agencies (NPAs) participating in the AbilityOne Program and provides employment opportunities for people with significant disabilities by procuring Federal contracts for products and services. Headquartered in Vienna, Va., NISH supports a network of more than 1,300 NPAs as well as Federal customers by providing legislative and regulatory assistance, communications and public relations materials, information technology support, engineering and technical assistance, and extensive professional training needed for successful contract management. NISH does not represent the U.S. AbilityOne Commission.

About PRIDE Industries

PRIDE Industries is a nonprofit organization meeting the manufacturing and facilities service needs of public and private organizations nationwide while creating jobs for people with disabilities. Operating in 11 states and the nation’s capital, PRIDE employs more than 4,700 individuals, including more than 2,600 people with disabilities. Headquartered in Roseville, Calif., PRIDE Industries ranks as the fourth-largest manufacturing and service company in the greater Sacramento region.