[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 133 (Tuesday, September 24, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S11197]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




[[Page S11197]]



                         TRIBUTE TO DIANA LEWIS

   Mr. WARNER. Mr, President, I rise today to extend my warmest 
congratulations to Diana Lewis of Charlottesville, VA, on her selection 
as the 1996 Private Sector Employee of the Year by the General Council 
of Industries for the Blind and the National Industries for the Blind. 
She will be honored at their Annual Training Conference on October 8, 
1996.
  Ms. Lewis was born with congenital cataracts. She underwent several 
eye operations as a young child, which delayed her entry into school. 
However, her desire to succeed did not waiver. She attended Romney 
School for the Blind in West Virginia but left school early to marry, 
become a homemaker, and eventually became the mother of two sons.
  Ten years ago, Ms. Lewis moved to the Commonwealth and soon faced the 
challenge of finding her first job. As a single parent with two young 
sons, Ms. Lewis turned to the Virginia Industries for the Blind [VIB], 
a division of the Virginia Department for the Visually Handicapped 
[VDVH], for employment and training opportunities. She quickly 
demonstrated her desire to succeed by mastering many sewing operations, 
becoming an accomplished seamstress.
  During her employment at the Virginia Industries for the Blind, Ms. 
Lewis earned her general education diploma [GED] and continued her 
education to become a certified nursing assistant. She joined 
Westminster Canterbury of the Blue Ridge in Charlottesville a year ago, 
and is currently employed as a certified nursing assistant in the 
skilled care unit. As a nursing assistant, Ms. Lewis tends to elderly 
residents who require constant care. Ms. Lewis hopes to one day become 
a physical therapist.
  Ms. Lewis' drive and dedication to overcome adversity makes her an 
example for all of us. I am pleased to join Ms. Lewis and her family 
and friends in wishing her much success in all of her future endeavors. 
Ms. Lewis is an outstanding representative of the blind community in 
Virginia, and I ask you to please join me in congratulating her as the 
1996 Private Sector Employee of the Year.

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