[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 97 (Wednesday, June 17, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4248-S4249]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            RECOGNIZING BOSMA ENTERPRISES 100TH ANNIVERSARY

  Mr. DONNELLY. Mr. President, today I rise to recognize Bosma 
Enterprises on the 100th anniversary of its founding. I commend Bosma 
for remaining steadfast in its mission to decrease the unemployment 
rate among those who are blind or visually impaired.
  Since its founding, Bosma Enterprises has provided employment 
opportunities and rehabilitation to visually impaired Hoosiers 
throughout our State. Originally a public institution created by the 
Indiana State Legislature in 1915, the Board of Industrial Aid for the 
Blind was renamed after Charles E. Bosma, an advocate for the blind and 
visually impaired citizens of Indiana. Indiana State Representative and 
Speaker of the Indiana House Brian C. Bosma has served as a founding 
director since 1988 when the organization was granted not-for-profit 
status. Since then, Bosma has grown tremendously. A little more than 15 
years ago, Bosma secured a major contract allowing it to package and 
distribute gloves to hospitals under the jurisdiction of the Department 
of Veterans Affairs. Bosma then expanded their contract with the 
Department of Veteran Affairs and began to package and distribute 
surgical gloves, creating even more jobs.
  Bosma Enterprises has grown into a business with more than 200 
employees,

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85 of whom are blind or visually impaired, making this the largest 
employer of individuals with visual disabilities in the State of 
Indiana. Bosma relocated to the northwest side of Indianapolis 10 years 
ago, where it doubled in size with increased production, training 
rooms, and rehabilitation services. Recently, Bosma added a second 
location for production, warehousing, and office space. As the only 
service of its kind and magnitude in the State, Bosma Enterprises 
continues to make a difference in the daily lives of visually disabled 
Hoosiers.
  Today, I commend the efforts of Bosma Enterprises as it prepares for 
its future, and the futures of the visually impaired Hoosiers it seeks 
to help. Innovation and diversification have allowed Bosma to grow, 
provide services to more and more people, and create jobs throughout 
Indiana. It stands as a shining example of the hard work and service of 
Hoosiers. I wish Bosma Enterprises continued success towards its noble 
vision: a future in which the blind and visually impaired will have 
equal opportunities in every aspect of their lives.
  On behalf of the citizens of Indiana, I would like to congratulate 
Bosma Enterprises on 100 years of success. This organization embodies 
the Hoosier spirit and improves the lives of visually impaired Hoosiers 
across the State. Bosma has a proven track record of being an advocate 
and reliable employer for our visually impaired Hoosiers. We are proud 
that Bosma calls Indiana home.

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