[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 78 (Monday, June 20, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 20, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
   TRIBUTE TO TERRY THOMAS, 1994 NATIONAL BLIND EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR

  Mr. BOREN. Mr. President, it is an honor for me to recognize the 
accomplishments of Ms. Terry Thomas. Ms. Thomas was selected recently 
as the 1994 National Blind Employee of the Year. She will be awarded 
the Peter J. Salmon Award here in Washington by the National Industries 
for the Blind. She is the first Oklahoman to ever receive this honor.
  Ms. Thomas was pronounced legally blind at birth and suffered 
significant and permanent hearing loss when she developed measles as a 
child. Despite these tremendous obstacles, Ms. Thomas excelled in her 
school work, raised a family, and made significant contributions to her 
community. Through her volunteer work she raised funds for research in 
ways to prevent blindness around the world, especially in third world 
countries and to retrain blind adults enabling them to integrate 
successfully into a sighted society.
  Ms. Thomas works for the Oklahoma League for the Blind where her 
fellow coworkers admire her not only for her dedication to helping 
others with similar disabilities, but also for her positive attitude, 
often described as contagious.
  Mr. President, I ask that you join me, our colleagues, the State of 
Oklahoma, and the Oklahoma League for the Blind in honoring this most 
exceptional person. Ms. Thomas, over the years, has touched many lives 
and sets the kind of examples that we should all strive to meet. It is 
only fitting that the Senate recognize her today.

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