[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 155 (Saturday, December 19, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2357]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING JUDITH VIERA OF WYND COMMUNICATIONS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. LOIS CAPPS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, December 18, 1998

  Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Judith Viera of 
my district on the Central Coast of California for the recent 
commendation she has received from Telecommunications for the Deaf, 
Inc. Ms. Viera is appropriately being honored for a lifetime commitment 
to expanding access to telecommunication services for the deaf and hard 
of hearing community.
  Deaf herself, Judith Viera has been dedicated to the deaf and hard of 
hearing individuals for more than thirty years. In 1965, Ms. Viera 
graduated from Gallaudet University and immediately began her life of 
public service and bettering the life of others.
  Among her many contributions is her work with Governors Brown and 
Deukmajian to establish California's policy on telecommunications 
access for the deaf and hard of hearing in California, which 
subsequently lead to many other states adopting the same policy. Also, 
Ms. Viera founded the NorCal Center on Deafness which is committed to 
assisting people who are deaf or hard of hearing with communications 
services, independent living skills, and social services.
  Judith Viera served as program manager at the California Department 
of Rehabilitation where she successfully advocated legislation which 
contributed to providing telecommunications equipment and services to 
the deaf and hard of hearing community. She was also appointed as the 
first and only deaf member to the National Exchange Carriers 
Association Interstate Telecommunications Relay Services Advisory Board 
which assists telecommunications providers in receiving compensation 
for the cost of interstate relay services.
  Ms. Viera's most recent service has been as vice president of 
business development for Wynd Communications in San Luis Obispo, CA. 
Wynd Communications, which was founded in 1994, is a pioneer in 
providing wireless telecommunications services to the deaf and hard of 
hearing through out the nation.
  I am truly honored to have Ms. Judith Viera as one of my 
constituents. She is an example of selfless commitment and altruistic 
dedication to a very meaningful cause, opening the bounties of our 
country to all of its citizens.

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