[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 100 (Tuesday, July 15, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1429-E1430]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            REGARDING THE FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT MEMORIAL

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. DAVID E. BONIOR

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 8, 1997

  Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in full support of Senate Joint 
Resolution 29, the resolution directing the Department of the Interior 
to design and construct a statue depicting Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 
his wheelchair. I believe this inclusion in the Franklin Roosevelt 
Memorial Statue will further illustrate to the American public that a 
person with a disability is not limited in his or her ability to reach 
historic heights.
  In addition to the Secretary working with the commission to 
incorporate a sculpture displaying President Roosevelt in a wheelchair, 
as instructed by the Senate Joint Resolution 29, I would also encourage 
the Secretary to look into a serious matter brought to my attention by 
the National Organization on Disability and the American Council of the 
Blind and as described in a May 20 article in the Washington Post. It 
appears that the Braille lettering on the monument is not readable by 
most blind or visually impaired visitors. In fact, on some areas of the 
monument the Braille dots are not accessible or not present at all. 
This is ironic in light of the fact that the description on the wall of 
President Roosevelt's programs to aid the blind, cannot be read by the 
blind. However unintentional, this makes a mockery of President 
Roosevelt's work and is frustrating to visually impaired visitors.
  The main problem with the Braille is the size of the dots. The cells 
are too big to fit under a fingertip. Because of the enlargement, the 
spacing of the dots within a cell and between cells is incorrect. The 
sculptor admits that he took liberty by exaggerating the size of the 
Braille to achieve a certain concept. Unfortunately, his artistic 
interpretation has come at the expense of those who have low vision or 
who are blind. In essence, the majesty he sought to create for those 
who cannot see has proven to be a disheartening misadventure.
  I would recommend that this artistic but unreadable Braille displayed 
on the memorial's Wall of Programs be supplemented by Braille which is 
readable. This Braille should conform to the specifications for raised 
character and Braille signage contained in recognized access codes such 
as the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines [ADAAG] 
and the American National Standards Institute's [ANSI's] A117-1 
standard for accessible design for the disabled. The reproduced Braille 
should be placed on a metal plaque or plaques which are affixed at a 
reasonable and readable height and location on the Wall of Programs. 
Or, the plaques could be mounted near the Wall of Programs on stands 
located at a reasonable height and location immediately adjacent to the 
artistic, but unreadable Braille. I would also encourage the Secretary 
to replicate in Braille the inspirational excerpts from President 
Roosevelt's speeches, which are displayed in print throughout the 
memorial, so they may be enjoyed by blind or visually impaired 
visitors.

[[Page E1430]]

  I believe these additions to the monument honoring our 32d President 
would be a fitting tribute to a great man who tirelessly served this 
country, and I would encourage full consideration of this important 
request.

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