[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 153 (Wednesday, November 3, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2245]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO ROY AND GEORGETTE ENGLER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARCY KAPTUR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 2, 1999

  Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the extraordinary 
contributions that Roy and Georgette Engler made over the course of 
their lives to benefit mentally disabled children in Northwest Ohio. 
Their story poignantly recounts the love and patience that 
characterized one family's heroic struggle with mental retardation. 
Though both passed away in the 1970's, their legacy lives on in the 
form of Sunshine Inc. of Northwest Ohio, a first-rate facility that 
provides assistance to hundreds of developmentally disabled individuals 
and their families. Loved and cherished by many, Roy and Georgette are 
remembered as selfless humanitarians who sought to help those shunned 
by the rest of society. Their efforts are truly worthy of recognition 
and praise. On behalf of Ohio's lawmakers and citizens, I invite my 
colleagues to join me in honoring these two wonderful people.
  Roy and Georgette Engler did not have an easy life. Both were high 
school drop-outs who struggled to make ends meet. Roy worked 12-hour 
shifts, 7 days a week as a railroad telegraph operator while Georgette, 
just 16 when she married, helped out at her parents' bar, grille, and 
country store. The situation became substantially more difficult, 
though, when it became apparent that all five of their children (two 
girls and three boys) were mentally retarded. Teachers told the Englers 
that their 2nd grade daughters would have to leave school because they 
were simply too slow. The boys, moreover, were less capable than their 
sisters, even having trouble relating with each other. The situation 
was bleak. Roy confided in a friend, ``No one will ever understand what 
it is like to sit around the table at meal time and look at your 
children and know that they will never be independent.''
  The Engler's visited several institutions but realized it would be 
best to keep the children at home, where they would be loved and 
properly cared for. The magnitude of this responsibility took its toll, 
though. Roy was forced to work night shifts at the telegraph office and 
take odd jobs in the morning. He was hospitalized seven times for 
depression and stress. Georgette was thus forced to remain at home, day 
after day, caring for the five children. She contemplated suicide, 
though she fortunately never acted on these impulses. The total 
commitment to their children was robbing them of life. The Engler's had 
long since abandoned their hopes and dreams, resigning themselves to 
the fact that they would have to care for their children the rest of 
their lives. As the children reached their twenties, though, Roy and 
Georgette realized that they needed to ensure acceptable care for their 
children when they passed on.
  The Engler's knew from experience that institutions were an 
unacceptable choice. They believed their children, as well as other 
mentally disabled youths, would benefit from an organization that 
placed an emphasis on individual care, love and simple pleasures. Roy 
and Georgette started Sunshine Inc. in 1949 and 50 years later it 
serves hundreds of developmentally challenged individuals with a budget 
of over $13 million. Moreover, Sunshine manages 14 group homes, 
operates a summer day camp and supervises adults that live on their 
own. The Superintendent of the Lucas County Board of Mental Retardation 
says they are among the best facilities in Ohio.
  John Milton wrote ``freely we serve, because we freely love.'' This 
is thoroughly exemplified by the actions of Roy and Georgette Engler. 
Through their unselfish dedication, mankind has advanced and come to 
understand more about the range of crippling illnesses and brain 
disorders that afflict millions of people. Let us hope medical science 
in this generation will unlock the mysteries of human development, but 
until then, let us be forever grateful for the lifetime of sacrifice 
Roy and Georgette dedicated through love and uncommon valor. I would 
also like to extend a warm thanks to Tahree Lane of the Toledo Blade 
for writing such a wonderful article that brought this touching story 
to my attention.

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