[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 31 (Thursday, March 11, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E349]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CONGRATULATIONS TO SARAH SWORDS ON RECEIVING THE MARY P. OENSLAGER 
                      SCHOLASTIC ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RUSH D. HOLT

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 10, 2004

  Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate one of this years 
Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic (RFB&D) Mary P. Oenslager 
Scholastic Achievement Award winners, Sarah Swords, who I am proud to 
say attended Princeton University in my district. The award is 
presented annually to college seniors who are blind and who have 
demonstrated leadership, scholarship, enterprise, and service to 
others.
  Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic is a non-profit organization 
based in Princeton, which has as its sole mission opening the pages of 
books to all people who cannot read standard print because of visual, 
perceptual or other physical disability.
  Mr. Speaker, over the years RFB&D has worked hard to live up to the 
philosophy of its founder, Anne T. Macdonald, who believed strongly 
that ``education is a right, not a privilege.'' Currently Recording for 
the Blind and Dyslexic has almost 240,000 titles available to its 
members worldwide. I commend Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic on 
the wonderful work they do, and I am so honored that they are located 
within my district.
  Mr. Speaker, it is my great privilege today to congratulate Sarah 
Swords one of the 2003 Mary P. Oenslager Scholastic Achievement Award 
winners. Having lost her sight when she was in the sixth grade due to a 
serious illness, Sara was fortunate enough to join Recording for the 
Blind and Dyslexic.
  With the audiotapes RFB&D provided to her, Sarah was finally able to 
enjoy reading for the first time. ``At last, I could read all the books 
I had always wanted to read'' she recalls. ``All the classics, novels, 
poetry and even magazines. I ordered a plethora of literature and have 
kept right on reading countless books.'' Sarah entered Princeton 
University in 1999 after finishing first in her class at Stoneman 
Douglas High School. During her time at Princeton University, Sarah was 
a member of student government, served as vice president of Delta Delta 
Delta Sorority, volunteered at the University Crisis Ministry, and 
helped out at the Trenton Animal Shelter. Sarah also worked as an 
advocate and speaker for disability rights for the Nassau Club, 
Princeton Alumni Organization.
  Mr. Speaker, Sarah is a wonderful person whose talents and leadership 
have blossomed despite her disability. She is a role model for others 
in her community and a gifted scholar. I am so glad that through the 
good work of Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic Sarah Swords will 
continue to be able to make significant contributions to our country 
and to the world. She is a wonderful example of why RFB&D motto, that 
``education is a right, not a privilege,'' is an essential truth.
  Again Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Sarah Swords upon being selected as 
one of the 2003 Mary P. Oenslager Scholastic Achievement Award winners 
and I wish her the best in all that the future holds for her.

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