[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 154 (Thursday, October 22, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2614-E2615]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CELEBRATING THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SOUTHWEST COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE 
                              FOR THE DEAF

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. RANDY NEUGEBAUER

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 22, 2009

  Mr. NEUGEBAUER. Madam Speaker, I proudly congratulate the Southwest 
Collegiate Institute for the Deaf on the occasion of their 30th 
anniversary celebration. This special milestone will be celebrated on 
November 6, 2009 with the dedication of the new Technical Training 
Center in addition to other celebratory events around the campus.
  In the late 1970s, Dr. Douglas J.N. Burke, along with several members 
of the community, took action to meet the need for a postsecondary 
program to provide higher education and career training for the deaf in 
West Texas.
  On November 6, 1979, SWCID was established by the Board of Trustees 
of the Howard Junior College District. The campus of SWCID would be an 
entity of Howard College and located at the former Webb Air Force Base 
in Big Spring, TX. In September 1980, SWICD first opened its doors to 
students, and was established as a state-supported institution on May 
14, 1981.
  Over the past 30 years, SWICD has strived to offer vocational and 
technical training, state of the art learning environments and 
technologies for deaf students, as well as courses for hearing 
individuals who have an interest in working with the deaf community.
  I applaud Dr. Burke for his vision of creating this program for deaf 
students along with the countless groups and individuals who continue 
to support his dream and the unique education being provided by this 
institution. A facility of this nature is of incredible benefit to deaf 
individuals so that they may learn the necessary technical skills to 
successfully enter into the job market.
  It is a great honor to recognize the Southwest Collegiate Institute 
for the Deaf on 30 years of service to the deaf community of Texas and 
our Nation.

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