[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 157 (Wednesday, October 11, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1916-E1917]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO BRYAN BALDWIN

                                 ______


                          HON. LAMAR S. SMITH

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 11, 1995

  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Mr. Bryan 
Baldwin.
  On Tuesday, October 24, 1995, Mr. Baldwin will be honored at the 
annual conference of the National Industries for the Blind (NIB) as the 
1995 Peter J. Salmon National Blind Employee of the Year.
  After nine years at the San Antonio Lighthouse, Mr. Baldwin, who has 
been blind since birth, teaches computer skills to the visually 
impaired, enabling them to obtain more technologically advanced jobs. 
he exemplifies self-determination, demonstrated by remarkable job 
growth and commitment to help other live independently.
  After high school, Baldwin worked in a plant nursery. Six years 
later, he was still earning minimum wage and had no benefits. Married 
and ready to start a family, Baldwin decided to seek a higher-paying 
job with more benefits that would better use his education and skills. 
Baldwin applied for an assembler's position at the San Antonio 
Lighthouse and was hired in 1985. He has progressed from general 
assembler to machine operator to quality assurance 

[[Page E 1917]]
lab technician and, finally, to his current position as computer 
trainer.
  While a lab technician, Baldwin used computers to evaluate and 
document test results. He discovered that he had a natural talent and 
interest in how software programs could make many of his tasks easier. 
He bought a computer of his own and taught himself how to operate 
several programs. Encouraged by his supervisor, Baldwin then applied 
for a computer trainer position in a job skills training program at the 
Lighthouse's William Judson Career Guidance and Skills Training Center.
  Through the Javits-Wagner-O'Day (JWOD) Program, Baldwin now has the 
satisfaction of helping other people who are blind. Baldwin has 
returned to school at Palo Alto Community College, is active in his 
church, and spends most of his free-time with his two daughters.
  Baldwin says of his success, ``I was totally surprised when I heard I 
had received this award. It makes me feel so good because I'm really 
just doing my job. I'm fortunate because every day I help other people 
like myself realize that there are so many options available to them.''

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