[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 22 (Friday, February 3, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H1193]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




URGING SUPPORT FOR RESOLUTION PRESERVING EARNINGS OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE 
                                 BLIND

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Foley). Under a previous order of the 
House, the gentlewoman from Connecticut [Mr. Kennelly] is recognized 
for 5 minutes.
  Mrs. Kennelly. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce a resolution 
expressing the sense of Congress that the blind should continue to be 
able to earn as much as senior citizens under the Social Security 
earnings test. I will offer an amendment in the Ways and Means 
Committee when it marks up the Republican contract to continue the same 
earnings test for the blind as seniors will have under the Senior 
Citizen's Equity Act. This action will ensure that blind individuals 
can continue to be self sufficient, productive members of society.
  In 1977, Congress established the same earnings exemption standard 
for the blind and retirees under the age of 70. In fact, this action 
was championed by the present chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, 
and provided blind individuals with incentives to contribute as members 
of the work force.
  Blindness is often associated with adverse social and economic 
consequences. It is often difficult for blind individuals to find 
sustained employment or for that matter employment at all. Action by 
Congress in 1977 provided a great deal of hope and incentive for the 
blind population in this country.
  The Republican Contract With America raises the earnings test for 
senior citizens from $11,160 a year to $30,000 in the year 2000. 
However, the bill specifically de-links blind workers from this 
increase in the earnings test.
  It is my hope that the link between senior citizens and blind 
individuals can continue. Let's not remove the incentive to work that 
we were wise enough to offer the blind in 1977. Many in this country 
want to work and take pride in working and contributing to society.
  I have always been a supporter of the blind. When I first came to 
Congress in 1982 I successfully offered an amendment as a member of the 
Public Works and Transportation Committee that gave the blind priority 
to provide vending machines at rests areas and safe areas on the 
National Interstate Highway System. Since that time nearly every State 
has passed similar State laws. This action has provided lucrative 
revenue opportunities for over 600 blind people throughout the country 
and has been considered by many as a major revenue source for the 
blind.
  We in Congress have been successful in the past 20 years in providing 
opportunities for the blind to succeed. Let us not go back, let us move 
forward and extend the increase in the earnings exemption that we are 
providing to seniors to the blind.
  I urge my colleagues to support this important resolution.
  

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