[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 195 (Wednesday, December 19, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2634]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO PHILIP GIERS

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                             HON. DAN BOREN

                              of oklahoma

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 19, 2007

  Mr. BOREN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the service and 
dedication of Philip Giers on the occasion of his retirement.
  Philip has worked at the Veterans Administration for 37 years and on 
January 3rd he will retire after an impressive career. Fresh out of 
college, he began his service in West Haven, CT at the brand-new Blind 
Rehabilitation Center. Philip, a highly skilled woodworker, taught 
industrial arts to the blind. He then received his Masters degree in 
Special Education and started teaching cane travel and electronic 
mobility aids for the blind, where he became instrumental in the 
development of laser cane use and binaural sensory aid. In June of 
1975, Phil and his wife, Christine, moved to Northampton, Massachusetts 
where he became Chief of Blind Rehabilitation at the Eastern Blind 
Rehabilitation Clinic in Leeds, which covered the entire eastern 
seaboard (as far east as the Mississippi River) and Puerto Rico. When 
the Blind Rehab Clinic was finally closed, Phil continued his work in 
public service in the Northampton VAMC's Human Resources Department and 
later in Pittsfield, MA where he was given the task of opening a 
sheltered workshop for veterans. He will end his long, award-winning 
career as manager of the sheltered workshop in Leeds VAMC, where he has 
worked to expand the influence of the work of veterans throughout 
western Massachusetts.
  Phil's achievements and prominence has touched millions of people 
here in Washington, DC, as well: he was consulted in the development of 
our Metro system. He was also consulted in the development of the 
electric car and was called upon by Australia and several African 
nations on handicap accessibility issues.
  Phil's dedication to helping the blind extends to his life outside of 
the office as well. He has been a member of Lions International since 
1986 and has held several leadership positions, including president. 
The Lions Club is an advocate for bettering the lives of those with 
vision problems and Phil has worked tirelessly to further their cause 
on the local, State, national and international levels. Besides his 
work with the Lions Club he has been an active member of his church, 
Saint Mary's, for 28 years and has also served in leadership positions 
in Business Networking International. He is also an active blood donor, 
having donated 152 pints of blood over the past 37 years.
  Phil is a respected leader in his community and a dedicated family 
man. He has been a loving husband to Christine for 34 years and father 
to Erica. While he will miss his work, Phil is looking forward to 
working more in his antique business, traveling with his wife and 
playing golf. We are all grateful for his service and wish him the best 
in his retirement.

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