A resolution designating March 22, 2009, as "National Rehabilitation Counselors Appreciation Day".

Whereas rehabilitation counselors conduct assessments, provide counseling, support families, and plan and implement rehabilitation programs for those 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, including the National Rehabilitation Association, 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, have vigorously advocated up-to-date education and training and the maintenance of professional standards in the field of rehabilitation counseling and education;

Whereas on March 22, 1983, Martha Walker of Kent State University, who was 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 Martha Walker 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