[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 81 (Wednesday, June 11, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1187]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




A TRIBUTE TO THE SUFFOLK CHAPTER, ASSOCIATION FOR THE HELP OF RETARDED 
                                CHILDREN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL P. FORBES

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 11, 1997

  Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an 
organization that provides services to over 1,300 individuals in 
Suffolk County, Long Island, with the vital mission of educating 
disabled children. The largest voluntary agency in Suffolk County, the 
Association for the Help of Retarded Children provides training and 
habilitative services at 24 locations across the county, and is 
distinguished by the selflessness, hard work, and dedication of its 
workers.
   The staff at AHRC have for many years worked to provide their 
communities with a protective and educational environment that these 
children deserve. At the organization's Sagtikos Educare Center in 
Commack, infants, preschoolers, and school age children receive 
individualized attention. Their development is fostered when local 
school districts are not able to help them. This school is an 
exceptional place, where disabled students discover new opportunities. 
The care of any child is a full-time job, but a child with special 
needs leaves a parent little time to pursue his or her own efforts. It 
is a blessing to the parents of these children, who have strived to 
build a better life for their sons and daughters, that the AHRC is here 
to assist them.
  The AHRC does not teach children to accept their conditions, but it 
fosters their self-esteem, teaches them living skills, and strengthens 
them both physically and emotionally. The programs help these children 
to grow to the point that the need for a lifetime of costly special 
services is greatly reduced. Furthermore, the AHRC, through its valiant 
and ongoing efforts, has helped to build community awareness about the 
abilities of these special young Long Islanders. The AHRC's vocational 
program has successfully placed its adults into packaging and 
assembling jobs, where they have joined the proud Long Island work 
force, gained a large degree of independence, and learned the skills 
which lead to competitive employment opportunities. Furthermore, the 
Long Island community has welcomed 16 AHRC-operated residences into its 
neighborhoods, where disabled adults work together as a family, and 
participate in the community with their neighbors. Indeed, it brings a 
great degree of normalcy, independence, and acceptance to their lives.
  On June 9, 1997, a fundraiser is being held which recognizes the 
AHRC's efforts on behalf of our Long Island families, friends, and 
neighbors. Long Islanders will open their hearts to give back to the 
organization that has done so much for our community. After all, when 
one of these very special persons receives the educational or 
vocational training they need to become a successful and happy member 
of our community, we all benefit from their presence. I would ask my 
colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives to join me in saluting 
the work of this great organization.

                          ____________________