[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 108 (Thursday, June 29, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1363]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                     1995 MINI DEAF SPORTS FESTIVAL

                                 ______


                             HON. MIKE WARD

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 29, 1995
  Mr. WARD. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to call to the attention of our 
colleagues a very special upcoming event in my hometown of Louisville, 
KY. The week of July 21-29 is the date of the 13th Annual Mini Deaf 
Sports Festival. The Festival is a week long sports competition 
involving deaf/hard of hearing young people from throughout the 
country. The event helps to educate the public on the special 
challenges faced by deaf/hard of hearing individuals. It also teaches 
festival participants how to face those challenges and overcome them.
  Under the leadership of committed people like Timothy Owens, the 
Executive Director of the Deaf Community Center of Louisville, the 
Sports Festival strives to make the most of each participant's talents 
in the context of sports. The confidence and social skills that are a 
byproduct of healthy competition give these youth the one thing that is 
essential to that future success--belief in themselves.
  Those who have worked so hard to give this gift to our deaf children 
have recruited many volunteers with the slogan, ``Your Hands--Your 
Future.'' Their point is well taken. The futures of these young people 
directly depend on the hard work, dedication, and concern we show them 
how. It is a pleasure to lend my support to that cause, even in this 
small way, by recognizing and commending this effort to bring 
opportunity, hope, and a sense of belonging to these very special young 
people.


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