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As suggested during the discussions at the Regional Institutes, there are a number of bills pending in Congress which affect the welfare of the Service and Civilian disabled.

The recent publicity given to the President's message to Congress, urging a combined program of rehabilitation for the Service and Civilian disabled, is not only indicative of the President's interest in a program for the disabled, but also of the fact that, as these bills reach the stage where action will be taken, the Administration itself will add its weight to certain of these bills which it believes should be supported.

A number of national leaders in the field of work for the handicapped, including your National Executive, are most anxious that, when bills for service to the handicapped are finally passed, they will include provisions requiring the Federal agencies and State agencies, where they are involved, to use the services of private rehabilitation agencies, such as Goodwill Industries, when those agencies are qualified to render the service required.

It is important that all community resources be used when planning for maximum service for the disabled.

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