[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 142 (Tuesday, October 4, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: October 4, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                CONGRATULATIONS TO THE NEW MISS AMERICA

  Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the remarkable 
personal odyssey and achievement of the new Miss America, Heather 
Whitestone.
  Miss Whitestone hails from Alabama. She is very much like the other 
contestants--smart and talented.
  But the new Miss America also uses a hearing aid. She is the first 
Miss America with a disability.
  Miss Whitestone lost most of her hearing when she was 18 months old. 
Today, she supplements her very limited hearing by reading lips and 
using sign language.
  But her disability has not held her back, because she and her family 
have not let it. Miss Whitestone spent 6 years in speech therapy just 
to learn how to say her name.
  Echoing Helen Keller, Miss Whitestone has been quoted as saying, 
``The most handicapped (person) in the world is a negative thinker.'' 
As a child, her mother would tell her that the last four letters of 
``American'' spell ``I can.''
  Anyone who saw Miss Whitestone on television Saturday night saw proof 
of her mother's wisdom. She gave a moving ballet performance, dancing 
by sensing the vibrations of the music.
  Mr. President, for over 25 years this Nation has pursued a national 
policy based on ability, not disability; on inclusion, rather than 
exclusion. It is a policy that has not always been well understood or 
popular. But it is the right thing, and the crowning of the new Miss 
America shows it works--for people with disabilities and for all 
Americans. We are better and richer for the contributions of people 
like Heather Whitestone.
  Over the next year, Miss Whitestone plans to reach out to young 
people, including those with disabilities, to let them know that 
anything is possible. I know she will bring unique credibility to that 
message.
  Mr. President, every Miss America has a demanding schedule, often 
traveling 20,000 miles a month to make speeches and for other 
appearances. It will not be easy for Miss Whitestone. But she has shown 
she has the right stuff, and we wish her the best of luck and God's 
speed.

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