[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 81 (Thursday, June 23, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 23, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                      TRIBUTE TO DR. RUTH SULLIVAN

 Mr. ROCKEFELLER. Mr. President, it is with great pleasure and 
pride that I rise to recognize an outstanding West Virginian, Dr. Ruth 
Sullivan.
  Fifteen years ago, Dr. Sullivan founded Autism Services Center--CRS--
in Huntington, WV, at her dining room table. Currently, Dr. Sullivan is 
the director of the center and has spent her life advocating for 
services for autistic individuals. Ruth Sullivan turned a personal 
crisis into a dream of hope for countless others. She was trained as a 
nurse but when her 2-year-old son, Joseph, was diagnosed as autistic, 
she knew little about the disorder. However, instead of accepting the 
doctor's statement that nothing could be done for Joseph, Ruth Sullivan 
began researching. That research, along with a supportive family saved 
Joseph from an institution and helped him lead his own life.
  At first, her goal was personal--to help her son. But, it was a 13-
year-old, Katrina, who led her into direct services. Katrina was too 
aggressive to love at home and had been discharged from the last 
facility as not appropriate for our service. Katrina went to Dr. 
Sullivan in early November 1983, funded by the West Virginia Department 
of Health. This is when Dr. Sullivan began her residential services' 
program with a 2:1 staff client ratio, 24 hours a day. She hired a 14-
member staff and rented an apartment.
  Currently, the Autism Services Center has 220 employees and serves 
over 315 individuals with developmental disabilities as well as their 
families, guardians, or foster parents. The ASC now serves mentally 
retarded and developmentally disabled for Cabell, Wayne, Lincoln, and 
Mason Counties and operates six group homes in Huntington. Furthermore, 
it serves as a national and international clearinghouse for autism 
information.
  On May 13, ASC celebrated its 15th anniversary. I am sure that my 
colleagues and my fellow West Virginians join me in congratulating Dr. 
Ruth Sullivan for her determination and dedication. The ASC has seen 
remarkable growth, received national exposure, and has helped hundreds 
of individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities 
discover their potential.

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