[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 157 (Wednesday, October 11, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1910-E1911]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO LINDA OVERMOYER

                                 ______


                         HON. JOSEPH M. McDADE

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 11, 1995

  Mr. McDADE. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to Ms. Linda 
Overmoyer. On Tuesday, October 24, 1995, Ms. Overmoyer will be 
officially honored at the annual conference of the National Industries 
for the Blind [NIB]. Please join me in applauding Ms. Overmoyer 

[[Page E 1911]]
for her perseverance in meeting many personal and professional 
challenges, for her accomplishment in winning NIB's Testimony to Work 
Essay Contest, and for setting an example of excellence for others.
  Linda Overmoyer's submission to NIB's Testimony to Work Contest 
embodies the pride and accomplishment that results from pursuing 
excellence in her everyday life. Ms. Overmoyer, 47 and the mother of 
four grown children, and her husband Robert Overmoyer II, recently 
purchased their own home. Her employment at North Central Sight 
Services, Inc., in Williamsport, PA, has provided Ms. Overmoyer with 
full-time employment and benefits such as medical insurance and a 
retirement plan.
  The Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act was created by Congress to provide job 
opportunities for Americans who are blind. Through this act, Linda 
Overmoyer, who has been legally blind for 20 years and totally blind 
for 13 years, now has the satisfaction of helping other people who are 
blind. Ms. Overmoyer is a member of the Williamsport Lion's Club, 
through which she received her guide dog, and travels throughout 
central Pennsylvania speaking to other Lion's Clubs and youth groups 
about the ways in which her job and guide dog have increased her 
independence.
  The following is Ms. Overmoyer's winning Testimony to Work essay:

                Participating in the ``American Dream''

       In May of 1983, my husband and I entered into a new phase 
     of our lives. That was the time we began our employment with 
     North Central Sight Services, Inc. It was also the beginning 
     of something we had thought would be beyond possibility for 
     us.
       Some people in our society do not look upon this as 
     anything great or beyond an everyday occurrence. Much like 
     getting a glass of water. But when you're visually impaired, 
     this becomes a challenge much like climbing that last great 
     mountain.
       Before our employment, we were like so many who are always 
     on the receiving end of things and never able to fully 
     participate in the natural flow of life. We were living in 
     government housing, participating in the food stamp program, 
     and dependent on government medical assistance.
       Since our employment, and especially since the involvement 
     of the National Industries for the Blind (NIB), life has 
     become more concrete and provides more of a purpose. We are 
     no longer in government housing, we are no longer in the food 
     stamp program and we no longer partake of the medical 
     assistance we once did.
       When NIB became a part of our production facility and work 
     became more secure, we felt the freedom to invest in the 
     purchase of our own home. Also, benefits have come to us such 
     as: paid holidays, sick leave, medical coverage (Blue Cross/
     Shield), bereavement days, and retirement plans. All of which 
     have improved our present life and hopes for the future.

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