[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 136 (Friday, October 2, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1891-E1892]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO WILLIAM HAWKINS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. KAREN McCARTHY

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 2, 1998

  Ms. McCARTHY of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
Mr. William Hawkins. On October 20, 1998 in St. Louis, Missouri, 
National Industries for the Blind will honor Mr. Hawkins with the first 
annual Milton J. Samuelson Career Achievement Award, named for the late 
Milton J. Samuelson in recognition of his leadership for upward 
mobility and placement programs for people who are blind.
  Mr. Hawkins was diagnosed with progressive glaucoma and cataracts 
soon after birth.

[[Page E1892]]

Before his third birthday he had lost all of his sight, but the 
challenge of his blindness did not prevent Mr. Hawkins from striving 
for excellence. With the help of his grandparents who raised him, he 
achieved an impressive record of success in his youth. He graduated 
from high school in 1983 as valedictorian, student boy president, and 
scholar athlete.
  Following high school, Mr. Hawkins attended college at night while he 
worked as a successful insurance sales agent and for the Alphapointe 
Association for the Blind. Although his college career ended after 
marriage and the birth of his daughter, he continued to set and achieve 
meaningful goals for himself. He accepted a part time position as a 
telemarketer with United Missouri Bank (UMB), and within the next two 
years was promoted by UMB several times. Mr. Hawkins is currently a 
valued member of UMB management, and has assisted other people who are 
blind with securing employment at UMB. I applaud him for both his 
personal achievements and for his generosity to others.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating this admirable American 
upon being the first person to be honored with this prestigious award.

                          ____________________