[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 130 (Monday, October 11, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1928]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN RECOGNITION OF DON DREYER, RECIPIENT OF SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND 
                    HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CAROLYN McCARTHY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 8, 2004

  Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of the 
people of the 4th Congressional District to recognize Don Dreyer of 
Rockville Centre, NY.
  I am extremely honored to congratulate Mr. Dreyer upon being named by 
Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson as one of the eight 
people nationwide to receive the prestigious Secretary Recognition 
Award. Receipt of such an honor is testament to Don's impressive record 
of over thirty years of work on behalf of disabled persons.
  Born with brittle bone disease, Don Dreyer was homebound until the 
age of 15. He has never let the fact that he is in a wheelchair be a 
handicap. Instead, he has spent much of his life seeing to it that the 
twenty percent of our nation's population who are disabled do not see 
themselves as handicapped either.
  Don began his crusade for the disabled in 1971 when he served as 
Director of Media and Public Relations at the National Center for 
Disability Services. Among his duties was the planning of foundation 
fund-raisers, including the Center's Annual Celebrity Sports Night 
Dinner. Don was also responsible for securing corporate and foundation 
grants for the education of young children with severe disabilities.
  For over 25 years, Don has served as Director of the Nassau County 
Office for the Physically Challenged where he has always exhibited 
consummate diligence and tireless effort. In this capacity, he has 
worked to enact State and Federal legislation to enhance the lives of 
both disabled children and adults. The pinnacle of Don's career was in 
1990 when his efforts led to the passage of the Americans with 
Disabilities Act. Today, he continues to support civil rights policies 
for the inclusion of disabled persons in the workplace, commerce, 
transportation, education, and health care.
  During October, which is Disability Employment Awareness Month, the 
Department of Health and Human Services seeks to recognize the efforts 
of those who have made a contribution to the disabled in both the 
public and private sectors. Although Don has received numerous 
distinctions in the past, this award distinguishes the national impact 
that he has had over the past three decades.
  Mr. Dreyer's tireless commitment to his job has made a difference in 
the lives of many. Once again, I would like to offer my congratulations 
to him on this well-deserved national recognition and wish him the best 
of luck in his future endeavors.

                          ____________________