[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 113 (Monday, July 8, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S4696]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO CLYDE TERRY

 Ms. HASSAN. Mr. President, today I would like to recognize the 
retirement of Mr. Clyde Terry of Concord, NH.
  Clyde started his career in 1982 as an administrative hearings 
officer, protecting the rights of individuals who experience 
disabilities in the State service systems.
  He then worked as the director of policy and planning for the New 
Hampshire Developmental Disabilities Council. He was promoted to 
executive director where he assisted in the drafting of and advocated 
for State and Federal legislation on issues impacting the lives of 
people who experience disabilities and directed the 5-year State plan.
  In 2010, he was named to the National Council on Disabilities by 
President Barack Obama and was appointed its chair in 2015. Clyde also 
served as the chair of the policy development and program evaluation 
committee, and in both roles, he used his vast knowledge and experience 
in New Hampshire to guide his work.
  For more than 16 years, Clyde has led Granite State Independent 
Living, a nonprofit that provides training and support services for 
people experiencing disabilities. In this role, he aimed to break the 
historical link between disability and poverty, adding education and 
employment services to the organization's operations. Under his 
leadership, Granite State Independent Living grew from three offices to 
eight and increased staff to more than 850 full-time staff and personal 
care attendants. This growth has made the organization a statewide 
resource for seniors and those who experience disabilities, helping 
them have access to competitive integrated employment and to live 
safely, comfortably, and independently at home.
  In addition, Clyde has been an incredible advocate for democracy and 
equality in our elections, leading a national coalition of disability 
organizations on election reform and election accessibility and 
coauthoring ``Voters Denied Equal Access at the Polls; A Status Report 
of the Accessibility of Polling Places in the United States.''
  Clyde has helped people understand that all of our citizens deserve 
equality, opportunity, and community participation. More and more 
people are living lives of self-sufficiency and purpose because of his 
hard work and commitment, and I have been honored to work with Clyde on 
building a more inclusive New Hampshire and country.
  I hope you will join me in honoring a dedicated Granite Stater, Clyde 
Terry.

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