[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 50 (Tuesday, March 27, 2012)]
[House]
[Page H1580]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           NATIONAL DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY AWARENESS MONTH

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from West 
Virginia (Mr. McKinley) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. McKINLEY. Mr. Speaker, March is National Developmental Disability 
Awareness month. This is a time that we can all take a moment to bring 
attention and understanding to both the needs and the potentials of 
people with developmental disabilities.
  This awareness month was first declared by President Ronald Reagan in 
1987 to recognize the bright future that these American citizens have 
in front of them. Thanks in part to proclamations like this, the 
perceptions of young people and adults with developmental disabilities 
has changed.
  On a personal note, as an individual with a significant hearing 
disability and a grandfather of a child with special needs, I am very 
familiar with the hardships of overcoming the obstacles of 
disabilities. My grandson, Maxwell, has CHARGE syndrome and deals every 
day with intense developmental and medical challenges. He is a true 
inspiration to his mother and our entire family.

                              {time}  1030

  During Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, I encourage 
everyone to engage with people in our communities who have 
developmental disabilities and recognize their talents and abilities 
that will make this a better Nation.

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