[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 56 (Tuesday, May 7, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E733]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




TRIBUTE TO PAULA BARTON, GOODWILL INDUSTRIES INTERNATIONAL GRADUATE OF 
                                THE YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. LOUISE McINTOSH SLAUGHTER

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 7, 2002

  Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to 
recognize an outstanding constituent: Paula Barton, Goodwill Industries 
International's 2002 Graduate of the Year.
  Ms. Barton is a team leader at ADT Security Service's Rochester 
Dispatch Center, where she supervises fifteen people and schedules 
installations and service for technicians. But Ms. Barton is not simply 
a capable and competent worker and supervisor. She does this 
outstanding job in the face of daunting challenges.
  Ms. Barton, who is now 27, was born with cerebral palsy, diabetes, 
and a learning disability, as well as a disorder that causes 
progressive vision impairment. Diabetes caused her to have to undergo a 
kidney and pancreas transplant. She persevered through these obstacles 
to finish her schooling and enter the workplace. Then, five years ago, 
she was a passenger in an auto accident with a drunk driver. The 
accident left her paralyzed, without the ability to walk and with only 
limited use of her hands.
  Many people would have considered these hurdles to be 
insurmountable--but not Ms. Barton. She was determined to remain a 
successful professional. She took each issue in stride, adjusting her 
lifestyle and habits. She now rises around 5:00 am to be ready for work 
on time. Her employer, ADT, has provided modest accommodations at work, 
including a special desk to fit her wheelchair and a large computer 
screen. Her service dog, Sheba, assists her with various tasks. And she 
continues to win accolades for her work at ADT.
  Based on her extraordinary accomplishments, Ms. Barton was selected 
from among thousands of individuals nationwide to be Goodwill 
Industries International's 2002 Graduate of the Year. She met President 
Bush on Monday and took the opportunity to impress upon him the 
importance of helping persons with disabilities be active, contributing 
members of the workforce.
  I am deeply proud to represent Paula Barton: a successful employee, a 
delightful individual, and a true inspiration to us all. She serves as 
a shining example of everything that can be accomplished with an 
indomitable will to succeed.

                          ____________________