[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 60 (Thursday, April 29, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E809]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


         CLEVELAND CATHOLIC BLIND COMMUNITY'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 29, 1999

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Cleveland 
Catholic Blind Community for 50 years of providing support to the 
city's blind residents.
  The Catholic Blind Community, an organization for blind and partially 
sighted Catholics, was founded in 1949 by Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Hoffman. 
Because Mr. Hoffman himself was blind and his wife was partially 
sighted, they clearly understood the needs and challenges faced by the 
visually impaired. According to Mr. Green, the first president of the 
Catholic Blind Community, the group represented an effort ``to bring 
blind people into the Church and bring the Church closer to the 
blind.'' This mission was achieved with help from members of the St. 
Vincent de Paul society.
  By the mid-1970s, the organization had grown significantly in size 
and began meeting regularly at the St. Augustine Parish. The Catholic 
Blind Community soon joined in partnership with the parish and began 
working with the hunger center, the Deaf Community, and support groups 
established at the parish for those suffering from mental disabilities 
and illnesses. The blind quickly became integral members in the parish 
by singing in the choir, serving as lectors and Eucharistic ministers, 
serving on the parish council and planning parish activities.
  In 1994 the Catholic Blind Community organized the Catholic Blind 
Association, a voluntary association that is Catholic in character but 
welcomes members of all faiths. This additional group was organized to 
provide greater service to the Blind Community. The Blind Community now 
boasts a membership of 225 blind individuals.
  I would like to take this opportunity to commend Mr. Jim Green, the 
organization's first president who served for nine years and is honored 
by the group for his 50 years of volunteerism and leadership by voting 
him president in this anniversary year.
  Through its dedicated efforts, the group has worked to improve the 
quality of life for the blind. On behalf of all those whose lives have 
been affected by the group, I offer my congratulations to the Cleveland 
Catholic Blind Community for 50 years of service.

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