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Randolph-Sheppard
Vendors of America®


Blind Businessmen and Businesswomen
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Resolutions

ResolutionYearDescription
Resolution 2018
2018 01 Concern over D.O.D. Self-feeding Practice
Resolution 2017
2017 01 Micromarkets and Other Self-Service Facilities
02 Randolph-Sheppard Priority in Danger
03 Total Vending Facilities
Resolution 2016-01
2016 RSVA® Resolution Regarding Hadley Institute
Resolution 2015-01
2015 RSVA® No Confidence resolution
Resolution 2014-01
2014 RSVA® Endorses the creation and development of the Humphreys Randolph-Sheppard Employment Institute
Resolution 2013-01 2013 RSVA® encourages all States to seek the expertise of Federal Agencies for a cohesive plan to develop tasteful healthy snacks to meet all consumers expectations.
Resolution 2013-02 2013 RSVA® publicly thanks Eric Bridges for his years of dedication
Resolution 2012-01 2012 To thank Senator Barbara Boxer for her efforts in the 2012 Transportation Reauthorization Bill
Resolution 2011-01 2012 To affirm and support the US Congress Randolph-Sheppard Act of 1936
Resolution 2007-01 2007 Protest against trend of companies hiring fewer seeing-impaired people
Resolution 2007-02 2007 Urges ACB to consider the needs of its affiliates when making changes to its schedules, event planning, and activities;
Resolution 2006-01 2006 To Honor and Recognize the Exemplary Service of Richard Bird As President of the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America
Resolution 2006-02 2006 To Express Dissatisfaction with the Conclusions of the Senate HELP Report on the Randolph-Sheppard and Javits-Wagner-O’Day Programs
Resolution 2006-03 2006 To Support Federal Legislation to Expand and Improve the Randolph-Sheppard Blind Vending Facility Program
Resolution 2006-04 2006 Urging the Federal Government to Issue Policy Regarding the Randolph-Sheppard Vending Facility Program and the Javits-Wagner-O’Day Program
Resolution 2006-05 2006 To Express Grave Concern to the Department of Education on the Severe Decline in Support for the Randolph-Sheppard Program
Resolution 2006-06 2006 To Determine the Status of Randolph-Sheppard Program Training for Professionals in the Rehabilitation Services Administration

Resolution 2013-01

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Resolution 2013-01

WHEREAS, the Randolph-Sheppard Act was signed into law in 1936, thereby creating the most successful entrepreneurial program for blind persons by affording blind business owners the right to operate vending facilities on federal properties and many states have passed mini-Randolph-Sheppard laws which extend similar rights to blind vendors on state and local government properties; and

WHEREAS, the program, known in most states as the Business Enterprise Program is administered by each state's licencing agency and gives blind individuals the opportunity to operate successful businesses and consequently live independent lives and support their families; and

WHEREAS, these blind entrepreneurs pay Millions annually in sales taxes to States and Millions in set aside fees that allow these state agencies to draw down Millions in federal dollars; and

WHEREAS, as independent business owners blind vendors are generally free to sell the products that their customers want to purchase; andWhereas, Randolph-Sheppard Vendors in many states are again facing proposed legislation (AB 459 in California) which attempt to force Randolph-Sheppard vendors to sell up to 100% healthy food, snacks, and beverages (by 2017 in CA) ; and

Whereas, proposed legislation to remove junk food and sugar-loaded drinks from vending machines, snack bars, cafeterias, and convenience stores just in state owned government property doesn’t take into consideration the fact that these purchases can be made elsewhere in close proximity; and

Whereas, many vendors already provide healthy snacks in vending machines when requested, often 35 percent or more; and

Whereas, when facilities provide healthy snacks, they have a much higher product cost because of the shorter expiration period on healthy products; and

Whereas, many suppliers do not currently carry a sufficient variety of healthy snacks to fill the vending machines in a facility, this requirement would be a huge disadvantage for RS vendors in already less populated buildings; and

Whereas, it is more important to educate our citizens so they have the ability to make positive choices for their health;

Be it resolved, on this 7th day of July, 2013, in Columbus, Ohio, that Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America RSVA encourages California and all other States to seek the expertise of Federal Agencies such as the FDA and USDA for a cohesive plan that would benefit all states, while working with the manufacturers to develop tasteful healthy snacks to meet all consumers expectations without limiting the health-conscious effort to a small sector of consumers - civil servants; and Be it further resolved, that RSVA work with legislators in these efforts to make sure the Randolph-Sheppard Program is not harmed but actually successful in moving these healthy food initiatives forward in a timely manner.

Resolution 2013-02

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Resolution 2013-02

Whereas, Eric Bridges has worked diligently as the Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs for the American Council of the Blind for over six years; and

Whereas, Eric assisted in the successful effort with Melanie Brunson, Dan Sippl, and others to urge President Obama to sign a Presidential Memorandum advocating for federal facilities to adhere to the Randolph-Sheppard Act; and

Whereas, Eric has the ability to quickly grasp a situation, assess its seriousness, and systematically move it forward for an equitable solution; and

Whereas, he has worked tirelessly without any expectations of gratitude on behalf of Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America in squashing legislation which would have been detrimental to the BEP program; and

Whereas, Eric is leaving ACB in mid-July;

Be it resolved on this 7th day of July, 2013, in Columbus, Ohio, that Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America publicly thanks Eric Bridges for his years of dedication; and

Be it further resolved, that RSVA recognize him at our annual awards luncheon in Columbus for his numerous efforts on RSVA’s behalf.

Resolution 12-01

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Resolution 12-01: Whereas, the 2012 US Transportation Reauthorization bill legislation is often a means for Senators and House Representatives to add new provisions; and

Whereas, negotiations with the Senate and House Transportation Committees were ongoing; and

Whereas, Senator Barbara Boxer has actively participated in negotiation with and for Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America; and

Whereas, roadside rest areas commercialization provisions were expanded to include billboards, ticket machines for tourist attractions, maps, and other tourist information; and

Whereas, efforts were successful in keeping commercialization language intact establishing lottery ticket machines and adding sales items such as t-shirts and caps to roadside rest areas subject to the Randolph-Sheppard priority;

Therefore, be it resolved in convention assembled in Louisville, KY, on this 9th day of July, 2012, that the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America commend and thank Senator Barbara Boxer in recognition of her efforts in negotiating the best language into the 2012 Transportation reauthorization bill for vendors on roadside rest areas;  and

Be it further resolved that RSVA award Senator Barbara Boxer a special plaque at the 2013 ACB Legislative seminar in recognition of her efforts on behalf of Randolph Sheppard Vendors of America.

 

Resolution 11-01

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Whereas, U.S. Representative Jennings Randolph and Senator Morris Sheppard created and sponsored the Randolph-Sheppard Act which was passed by the United States Congress on June 20, 1936;  and,

Whereas, the Randolph-Sheppard Act has provided the priority for blind and visually impaired persons  to manage vending stands and later food service facilities in federal buildings; and,

Whereas, the Randolph-Sheppard Program has been the largest employment program for blind and visually impaired persons throughout the country; and,

Whereas, 2011 is the 75th anniversary of the Randolph-Sheppard Act and this program continues to be a viable employment option:

Therefore, be it resolved on this 11th day of July 2011 at the John Ascuaga Nugget Hotel Resort Casino in Sparks, NV, that the Randolph Sheppard Vendors of America (RSVA) affirms the significance of the Randolph-Sheppard Act; and,

Be it further resolved, that RSVA will continue to fight for the complete fulfillment intended by this Act; and,

Be it further resolved, that RSVA  request the continuation of the ongoing support of the American Council of the Blind  for the Randolph-Sheppard Program.

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Resolution 07-01

Introduced by John Gordon, First Vice-President

WHEREAS, the Randolph Sheppard Act, passed by Congress in 1936, provides the opportunity for people, who are blind to own their own businesses and be self employed; and

Whereas, the Randolph Sheppard act is one of the most successful programs that employs people who are blind; and

Whereas, 2500 people who are blind are employed in this outstanding program; and

whereas, a “living wage” is earned by managers who are blind, and opportunities for “upward mobility” exist for experienced managers involved in the program to be promoted to sites with greater earning potential; and

whereas, over the past ten years the number of Randolph-Sheppard locations has decreased from 3500 to 2500 sites employing managers who are blind; and

Whereas, this disturbing trend will not be tolerated by parents of children who are blind who will be seeking future self employment opportunities for their children, by blind veterans who lost their sight in battle overseas who desire to participate in the Randolph Sheppard program, by vendors who are blind participating in the program who aspire for promotional opportunities, by professionals in the field of rehabilitation, and by the blind community in general;

Therefore be it resolved, that the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America, in convention assembled on July 2, 2007, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Minneapolis, Minnesota, demand that this disturbing trend be halted and reversed;

Be it further resolved, that actions be undertaken by congress to strengthen the Randolph-Sheppard program, to reinvigorate its mission and purpose, and to take all steps necessary to generate new sites in government facilities and in private businesses;

Be it further resolved, that the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America support efforts to reinvigorate the Randolph-Sheppard act including;

1. Efforts by Senator Barrack Obama and other Congressmen and Congresswomen to reinvigorate the Randolph-Sheppard Act by establishing a demonstration project with innovative components such as;

Establishing not for profit “nominee” agencies with influential board members, with large private businesses, and charging the “nominee” agency with Establishing new Randolph-Sheppard locations;

Infusing NEW FEDERAL MONEY TO STIMULATE THE establishment of a significant number of additional Randolph-Sheppard locations reversing the troubling decline in employment opportunities in the Randolph-Sheppard program and utilizing the “nominee” agency board and its other resources to find new locations;

Authorizing Randolph-Sheppard vendors to market and sell Javitts-Wagner-O’day Act products in their federal locations, thereby increasing the earning power of blind vendors in federal facilities affected by the impact of increased security in federal buildings which discourages street customers from entering federal buildings and accessing the Randolph-Sheppard location as customers of vendors, resulting in decreased earning capacity of the blind vendor;

Establish a “line item” in the “budget” of the us Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration for the Randolph-Sheppard Program and restrict those Rehabilitation Services Administration funds by mandating that such funding be spent exclusively on the Randolph-Sheppard Program for the purpose of training new vendors, creating new sites, refurbishing and replacing existing equipment, for funding business consultants whose mission is to assist vendors with business plans, marketing plans, and other activities to assist vendors with being “successful” on their self employment site;

Providing ways, means, opportunities and incentives to generate upward mobility career paths for people who are blind participating in the Randolph-Sheppard Program;

Providing ways and means to provide health care, pension and other benefits to people who are blind participating in the program;

Insuring the priority and exclusivity of the Randolph-Sheppard Program for people who are blind;

Providing support for the establishment of programs that create new “additional” employment opportunities for people with other disabilities without taking Randolph-Sheppard jobs away from people who are blind, and reallocating those jobs (giving them) to people with other disabilities resulting in a reduction in jobs for people who are blind and no net gain in the total number of jobs for the population of people with disabilities;

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be sent to the ACB resolutions committee.

APPROVED.

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Resolution 07-02

Introduced by the RSVA Board of Directors

Whereas, ACB has always stressed the fact that it is a grass-roots based organization; and

Whereas, RSVA has been an affiliate of the ACB since its formation; and

Whereas, RSVA has had its convention in conjunction with the annual ACB convention; and

Whereas, RSVA and other affiliates try to adhere to ACB policies and guidelines; and

Whereas, for the last few years, ACB has planned events, activities, schedules, and procedures which have adversely affected RSVA and other affiliates by:

  1. Last year placing the 2nd nominating committee meeting during the Casino night event taking away several dealers and players who had purchased advance tickets;
  2. Designating inadequate space for hospitality functions while other smaller affiliates were assigned larger spaces;
  3. Having an opening session running into time set aside for mixers and other affiliate events;
  4. Asking affiliates to complete programming by 4:30 p.m. each afternoon;
  5. Planning an ACB auction even though ACB knows its affiliates use the annual convention for auction fundraisers; and
  6. Providing one ticket for all events leading to confusion about specific events;

Therefore, be it resolved, in convention assembled on July 2, 2007, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Minneapolis, Minnesota, that RSVA urges ACB to consider the needs of its affiliates when making changes to its schedules, event planning, and activities;

Be it further resolved that ACB consult with applicable affiliates when developing new programs, events, policies, and procedures; and

Be it further resolved that the ACB board and ACB convention committee take immediate and appropriate action regarding their concerns so that they are addressed before the next ACB annual convention.

Approved.

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Resolution 06-01

To Honor and Recognize the Exemplary Service of Richard Bird As President of the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America

WHEREAS, Richard Bird has for many years served as a leader and as an example to blind vendors, both in his home State of Ohio and nationally; and

WHEREAS, Richard Bird both as President of Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America and as President of the National Training Conference for Blind Vendors (Sagebrush Conference) has devoted himself tirelessly and honorably to the protection and improvement of the blind vending facility program throughout the country, often sacrificing his own personal interests and needs; and

WHEREAS, Richard Bird has ably and intelligently guided the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America; and

WHEREAS, Richard Bird has decided to resign as President of the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America after years of hard work and dedication in order to recover his health;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America in convention assembled this 10th day of July, 2006 at the Hyatt Regency Riverfront Hotel in Jacksonville, Florida that the organization expresses its deep and heartfelt thanks, love, and gratitude to Richard Bird for his selfless contributions to the betterment of the Nation’s blind vending facility program and its best wishes and sincere hopes for a speedy recovery and return to active leadership in the blind vendor community; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this Resolution be suitably framed and presented to Richard Bird.

Approved

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Resolution 06-02

To Express Dissatisfaction with the Conclusions of the Senate HELP Report on the Randolph-Sheppard and Javits-Wagner-O’Day Programs

WHEREAS, the Report of the United States Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions dated October 20, 2005 and entitled “Opportunities Too Few? Oversight of Federal Employment Programs for Persons with Disabilities” alleged the existence of a number of problems in the management, operation, and outcomes of the Randolph-Sheppard blind vending facility program, and presented a number of recommendations for the resolution of those problems; and

WHEREAS, representatives of national organizations, including the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America and the American Council of the Blind, have expressed deep concern about the assumptions of the Senate Report, and have expressed strong disagreement with its findings, conclusions, and recommendations; and

WHEREAS, such assumptions include (1) that a few blind vendors reap financial windfalls from military dining contracts, (2) that these few blind vendors hire few persons with disabilities, and (3) that the Randolph-Sheppard program excludes persons with visual impairments or other disabilities; and

HEREAS, the Report’s findings, conclusions, and recommendations include (1) that Congress should consider combining the Randolph-Sheppard and Javits-Wagner-O’Day programs into a single program, (2) that legislation should be enacted to bring all people with disabilities into the combined program, with allocation of resources based on need and not categories of disability, (3) that blind vendors are guilty of “triple dipping” to enhance their incomes, depending heavily on taxpayer dollars, and (4) that only five percent of blind vendors’ employees are disabled; and

WHEREAS, some staff of the Senate HELP Committee have used the Committee report and the hearing held by the Committee on October 20, 2005 as a basis for the development of legislation that would potentially injure blind vendors and the Randolph-Sheppard program, and legislation may be developed by Committee staff by late Summer, 2006;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE ITRESOLVED, by the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America (RSVA) in convention assembled this 10th day of July, 2006 at the Hyatt Regency Riverfront Hotel in Jacksonville, Florida, that the organization expresses its profound dissatisfaction with the Report of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, and urges the said Committee to reject the Report as a basis for developing legislation to modify the Randolph-Sheppard blind vending facility program;

and be it further RESOLVED, that a copy of this Resolution shall be presented forthwith to the Chairman and Ranking Minority Member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.

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Resolution 06-03

To Support Federal Legislation to Expand and Improve the Randolph-Sheppard Blind Vending Facility Program

WHEREAS, on October 20, 2005 the United States Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions issued a report and held hearings on the record of the Javits-Wagner-O’Day and Randolph-Sheppard programs to meet the employment needs of people with disabilities; and

WHEREAS, as a result of this hearing the major organizations of and for the blind, including the American Council of the Blind, the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America, the National Federation of the Blind, the National Association of Blind Merchants, and the National Council of State Agencies for the Blind, met and agreed to support and promote legislation that would address the concerns expressed by the Senate Committee and at the same time enhance and expand employment for people who are blind; and

WHEREAS, both a comprehensive concept paper and specific legislative language were developed as a result of these groups’ collaboration; and

WHEREAS, the organizations of and for the blind have begun a campaign to seek the enactment of the legislation, the concepts of which have been favorably received by key Senators and staff; and

WHEREAS, the legislation, if enacted, would result in many new jobs for blind people as well as those with other disabilities, additional entrepreneurial opportunities for blind people, improved training, and improved program administration;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America (RSVA) in convention assembled this 10th day of July, 2006 at the Hyatt Regency Riverfront Hotel in Jacksonville, Florida that the organization expresses its full support for legislation to improve and expand the Randolph-Sheppard blind vending facility program, and to transfer the program to the Department of Commerce, and pledges to dedicate its resources and to work with other organizations of and for the blind to ensure the enactment of such legislation; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that copies of this Resolution shall be presented to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions; and to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.

Approved

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Resolution 06-04

Urging the Federal Government to Issue Policy Regarding the Randolph-Sheppard Vending Facility Program and the Javits-Wagner-O’Day Program

WHEREAS, the Congress in the Fiscal Year 2006 Defense Authorization Act enacted in 2005 directed the Department of Defense and the Department of Education to develop a joint policy regarding the application of the Randolph-Sheppard Act and the Javits-Wagner-O’Day Act to the operation and management of military dining facilities, taking into account to the extent practicable the positions acceptable to persons representing programs implemented under each Act; and

WHEREAS, the Congress in the same Act required the Secretaries of Defense and Education to submit to the cognizant House and Senate Committees not later than April 1, 2006 a report describing the joint statement of policy issued, with such findings and recommendations as the Secretaries consider appropriate; and

WHEREAS, as of the date of this convention of the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America the Secretaries of Defense and Education have not submitted to Congress the required report; and

WHEREAS, a joint policy developed by the Departments of Defense and Education would be of critical interest and importance to blind vendors and organizations of and for the blind, including the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America, in addressing both the Executive Branch and the Congress on the matter of the Randolph-Sheppard priority in the acquisition of military dining contracts;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America (RSVA) in convention assembled this 10th day of July, 2006 at the Hyatt Regency Riverfront Hotel in Jacksonville, Florida that the organization calls upon the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Education to issue the report required by Congress on the matter of military dining contracts, and to submit to the cognizant Committees of Congress their findings and recommendations, and to make public such policy, report, findings, and recommendations at the earliest possible time; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution shall be transmitted forthwith to the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Education, the Chairmen and Ranking Minority Members of the House Armed Services, Senate Armed Services, House Education and the Workforce, and Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committees.

Approved

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Resolution 06-05

To Express Grave Concern to the Department of Education on the Severe Decline in Support for the Randolph-Sheppard Program

WHEREAS, Ray Hopkins, the Department of Education official in charge of national management of the Randolph-Sheppard blind vending facility program at the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), was invited to attend the convention of the American Council of the Blind and the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America in Jacksonville, Florida for the purpose of reporting on the status of the program from RSA’s perspective, and to exchange views and information; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Hopkins’ travel to Jacksonville was denied by the Department of Education with very little notice to the American Council of the Blind or the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America; and

WHEREAS, the Rehabilitation Services Administration and the Randolph-Sheppard program are for many reasons in a state of great flux and uncertainty; and

WHEREAS, the Department of Education is unwilling or unable to send a representative to meet with the Nation’s largest organization of blind vendors, the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America, to discuss the crisis in the blind vending facility program;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America (RSVA) in convention assembled this 10th day of July, 2006 at the Hyatt Regency Riverfront Hotel in Jacksonville, Florida that the organization express its deep disappointment with the apparent lack of concern for the Randolph-Sheppard program exhibited by the Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, John Hagger, and the Acting Commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services Administration, Edward Anthony, Ph. D., Acting Commissioner.

Approved

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Resolution 06-06

To Determine the Status of Randolph-Sheppard Program Training for Professionals in the Rehabilitation Services Administration

WHEREAS, Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America has received no information regarding the status of Randolph-Sheppard program training for technical assistance and support teams established under the recent reorganization of the Rehabilitation Services Administration; and

WHEREAS, detailed and extensive Randolph-Sheppard program knowledge within the staff of the Rehabilitation Services Administration is critical to the health and well-being of Randolph-Sheppard as the source of the Nation’s most important and successful employment program for people with disabilities;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America (RSVA) in convention assembled this 10th day of July, 2006 at the Hyatt Regency Riverfront Hotel in Jacksonville, Florida that the organization calls upon Melanie Brunson, Executive Director of the American Council of the Blind, and Krista Merritt, Policy Analyst, American Council of the Blind, to set up an immediate and urgent meeting with John Hager, Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, Department of Education, to ascertain the level and nature of training on the Randolph-Sheppard program in place, and that training planned to be provided to staff of the Rehabilitation Services Administration.

Approved

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