[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 100 (Friday, June 15, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E853]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING RICHARD SWIERAT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. NITA M. LOWEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 15, 2018

  Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor my constituent, Richard P. 
Swierat. After 35 years of service, Mr. Swierat will retire from his 
position as Executive Director of The Arc of Westchester, based in 
Hawthorne, New York, on Friday, June 15, 2018.
  Mr. Swierat' s career began at a time when people with intellectual 
and developmental disabilities (I/DD) experienced widespread 
mistreatment. Throughout his time at the Arc of Westchester. Mr. 
Swierat has tirelessly dedicated himself towards fighting injustice in 
order to shed light on the promise and potential of the I/DD community.
  Under Mr. Swierat's leadership, The Arc of Westchester has been on 
the vanguard of numerous improvements for people with IIDD living in 
Westchester County. Preschoolers with IIDD, who once were confined to 
self-contained classrooms, now learn in inclusionary settings, and 
adults with IIDD can now seek paid community-based employment instead 
of sheltered workshops. Mr. Swierat has influenced members of the 
community, in both government and business, and has been critical to 
helping countless individuals with I/DD live, work, and prosper in the 
communities that they have always called home.
  Mr. Swierat is a member of the Board of Directors of the Business 
Council of Westchester, sits on many state and national boards related 
to the field of developmental disabilities and is an adjunct professor 
at Western Connecticut State University's Ancell School of Business. He 
received an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters at Mercy College's 
2018 Commencement Ceremony in May for collaborating with the College to 
make technology available to support people with learning and cognitive 
delays.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my fellow Members of Congress to join me in 
expressing thanks to Mr. Swierat for his 35 years of outstanding 
service, commitment and energy to the Arc Movement and to people with 
disabilities everywhere.

                          ____________________