[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 170 (Tuesday, November 17, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2787]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CELEBRATING 80 YEARS OF SERVICE OF THE SEEING EYE IN MORRISTOWN, NEW 
                                 JERSEY

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. RODNEY P. FRELINGHUYSEN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 17, 2009

  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the very 
dedicated employees, volunteers, and graduates of The Seeing Eye in 
Morristown, New Jersey, on their 80 years of service.
  Dorothy Harrison Eustis and Morris Frank had a dream to make the 
world completely accessible to the blind and visually impaired, and in 
1929, The Seeing Eye was established to make their dream a reality. 
Since its inception, The Seeing Eye has enhanced the independence and 
self-confidence of the blind and visually impaired. The Seeing Eye 
pioneered the use of dogs to guide the blind, and today, the 
organization has successfully trained over 15,000 Seeing Eye dogs and 
matched them with more than 8,000 blind or visually impaired owners. 
Additionally, many area families have volunteered to rear generations 
of Seeing Eye puppies--nurturing them to accomplish their special 
destiny.
  Twelve times every year, up to 24 visually impaired students from the 
United States and Canada come to Morristown to enter a twenty-seven day 
instructional program and are matched with a dog. The instruction 
includes traveling through high traffic and residential streets, 
shopping malls, and bus routes. Upon the completion of the program, the 
graduates are able to safely navigate their hometowns with the support 
of their Seeing Eye dogs. In fact, most every day on Morristown 
streets, The Seeing Eye trainers, students and their remarkable dogs 
can be seen training where pedestrians and drivers alike respect their 
presence. The Seeing Eye also provides follow-up care and even visit 
graduates' home to aid them in adjusting to their new accessibility to 
their environments.
  Today, The Seeing Eye is a pioneer in canine genetics and medical 
research. It also advocates for the concerns of those with visual 
impairments--such as pedestrian safety and the dangers of quiet cars--
by working with legislators, writing letters on behalf of those 
experiencing discrimination, and researching technologies to make 
crosswalks safer.
  Madam Speaker, for the past 80 years, The Seeing Eye has provided an 
unprecedented service to the blind and visually impaired community, and 
I hope it can continue its invaluable service for many years to come. I 
urge you, Madam Speaker, and my colleagues to join me in congratulating 
all of those involved with The Seeing Eye on its 80th Anniversary.

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