[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 149 (Tuesday, September 17, 2019)]
[House]
[Pages H7732-H7734]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HELEN KELLER NATIONAL CENTER REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2019
Ms. JAYAPAL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 2134) to reauthorize the Helen Keller National Center for
Youths and Adults Who Are Deaf-Blind, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 2134
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Helen Keller National Center
Reauthorization Act of 2019''.
SEC. 2. HELEN KELLER NATIONAL CENTER REAUTHORIZED.
The first sentence of section 205(a) of the Helen Keller
National Center Act (29 U.S.C. 1904(a)) is amended by
striking ``1999 through 2003'' and inserting ``2019 through
2023''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
Washington (Ms. Jayapal) and the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr.
Grothman) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Washington.
[[Page H7733]]
General Leave
Ms. JAYAPAL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and
include extraneous material on H.R. 2134.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from Washington?
There was no objection.
Ms. JAYAPAL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I am excited that the House of Representatives is
considering this bill, the Helen Keller National Center Reauthorization
Act, a bipartisan bill, and I urge my colleagues to support it. This
bill will reauthorize funding for the center through 2023.
Congress established the Helen Keller National Center in 1967 to
provide nationwide services for people who are deaf-blind.
Headquartered in New York with regional offices across the country, the
center is the only organization of its kind that provides training and
resources exclusively to people 16 and over who have both vision and
hearing loss.
Unfortunately, deaf-blind people face unique and diverse challenges.
Many youth who are deaf-blind have not been provided with the type or
quality of education that generally yields successful outcomes in
employment, independent living, and community involvement. In fact,
deaf-blind youth have some of the lowest levels of access to special
education services.
I am so proud of some of the work that we are doing in my home State
of Washington to advance justice for deaf-blind people. Washington
State Deaf-Blind Citizens is doing incredible work to organize
community events, to provide support for everyday tasks like reading
the mail and doing errands, and to advocate with lawmakers on the
unique needs of the deaf-blind community.
We also have the Deaf-Blind Service Center of Seattle, which focuses
on breaking down communication barriers by providing interpretation and
advocacy services for free to deaf-blind individuals.
I think we can all agree that every deaf-blind person deserves equal
access to services that promote their successes, independence, and full
participation in their communities. That is exactly what the Helen
Keller National Center provides to this underserved population. Thanks
to the center, deaf-blind people in every congressional district can
connect with support systems to grow productively and find meaning in
their lives.
Mr. Speaker, I am proud to enthusiastically support this bill to
extend congressional authorization for the Helen Keller National
Center. I urge my colleagues to support it as well, and I reserve the
balance of my time.
Mr. GROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support H.R. 2134, the legislation to
reauthorize the Helen Keller National Center Act. Originally enacted in
1967, the law established the Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-
Blind Youths and Adults.
Today's legislation allows the important center--the only
organization of its kind--to continue to support individuals with
combined vision and hearing loss, as well as their families and service
providers.
Helen Keller's story is well-known to us all. It is an example of
determination and hard work. Not only did she overcome her
difficulties, she also worked tirelessly to benefit the lives of
others. In doing so, she showed the world there are no boundaries.
I would like to read a couple of quotes of Helen Keller: ``Remember,
no effort that we make to attain something beautiful is ever lost.''
``Sometime, somewhere, somehow we shall find that which we seek.''
In an article from 1933, entitled, ``The Simplest Way to Be Happy,''
she wrote: ``A happy life consists not in the absence, but in the
mastery of hardships.''
These quotes embody her perseverance. The Helen Keller National
Center carries on this message by working to give the deaf-blind
community the tools they need to work and thrive in communities of
their choice.
The center offers hope and dignity to those it serves through on-
campus assistive technology education; vocational, orientation and
mobility, and communication services; and independent living support
through its headquarters in Sands Point, New York. Individuals from
across the country travel to their headquarters for these incredible
resources.
The National Center also provides similar services to local
communities in all 50 States, the District of Columbia, and the U.S.
territories. The goal of these programs and services is to advance the
personal development and independence of individuals who are deaf-
blind.
Federal support allows the center to continue its invaluable research
and development programs in several areas, including communication
techniques and teaching methods. All of this leads to improved program
offerings and, ultimately, better lives for deaf-blind Americans and
their families.
H.R. 2134 will reauthorize the Helen Keller Center through the year
2023, which demonstrates this body's continued commitment to providing
deaf-blind youths and adults with opportunities to lead successful,
independent lives. By passing this legislation, Congress recognizes the
unique needs of individuals who are deaf-blind as well as the unique
care and developmental programs they need.
I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan bill. Doing so allows
us to carry on Hellen Keller's incredible story of independence and
success that has given hope to generations of those who are deaf-blind.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. JAYAPAL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from
Wisconsin (Mr. Pocan), who is the sponsor of this bill, H.R. 2134, a
member of the Appropriations Committee, and my co-chair of the
Congressional Progressive Caucus. He is a real champion for communities
across the country.
Mr. POCAN. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my friend, Ms. Jayapal, for
yielding me some time. I want to thank my friend from Wisconsin (Mr.
Grothman) for his supportive words. I appreciate that.
I am happy that we here today to pass H.R. 2134, the Helen Keller
National Center Reauthorization Act of 2019, which I am glad to author
and introduce with my colleagues, Representatives Tom Suozzi and Tom
Cole. Without their support, as well as the support of Representatives
Rosa DeLauro, Pete King, and Chairman Bobby Scott, this legislation
would not be on the floor today.
The Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults was
first authorized by Congress in 1967 to assist the deaf-blind community
in America. To this day, it is the only comprehensive national program
that provides information, referrals, support, and training exclusively
to Americans who have combined vision and hearing loss, while also
supporting families and professionals who work with the deaf-blind
community.
Unfortunately, the center's authorization has lapsed, but through our
actions today, we will be able to reauthorize it through 2023 and
continue to advocate on its behalf during the annual appropriations
process.
In my home State of Wisconsin, the Helen Keller National Center has
partnered with the Wisconsin Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
through a formal agreement to provide job preparation and job placement
services, independent living, and communication skills, training, and
self-advocacy training.
Additionally, it co-led the Midwest Deaf-Blind Transition Institute
this past July, where deaf-blind youths from across Wisconsin and their
family members explored post-high school options and met with peer
mentors.
The center has also recently provided training to 55 professionals in
Wisconsin on haptics, a system of providing tactual signs to deaf-blind
persons to relay information, which can increase independence and
engagement in daily life.
Clearly, the work the Helen Keller National Center performs is vital
and life-changing. That is why I am proud to stand here on the floor of
the House of Representatives in support of the center and its work. The
Helen Keller National Center is worthy of all of our support.
I thank Sue Ruzenski at the Helen Keller National Center for bringing
its work and the needs of the deaf-blind community to my attention.
[[Page H7734]]
I thank Jacque Mosely of the House Education and Labor Committee, who
has been invaluable.
Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to stand in support of the
American deaf-blind community and vote in favor of this bipartisan
legislation before us.
Mr. GROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
H.R. 2134 is legislation to reauthorize the Helen Keller National
Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults. The center offers
groundbreaking educational programs across the country that help deaf-
blind individuals triumph over adversity, just as Helen Keller did more
than 50 years ago. By passing today's legislation, we ensure this
center can continue its critical work providing our Nation's deaf-blind
with the resources needed to lead successful and independent lives.
Mr. Speaker, I join my colleague, Congressman Pocan, whom I thank for
authoring this bill. I once again urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on
H.R. 2134, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. JAYAPAL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New
York (Mr. Suozzi), who is my good friend.
Mr. SUOZZI. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congresswoman Jayapal for yielding
me time.
Today I rise in support of H.R. 2134, the Helen Keller National
Center Reauthorization Act of 2019.
The Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults is
located in my district in Sands Point, Long Island. It is a national
organization and, really, the only one of its type.
I want to thank my colleagues, Representative Pocan, who is the
author of this bill, and Congressman Peter King, Congressman Bobby
Scott, Congresswoman DeLauro, Congressman Cole, and Congresswoman
Lowey, for championing the authorization of the Helen Keller National
Center.
Think about it: This was formed in 1967, and it is a unique facility
in that it serves a population that is both deaf and blind, combined.
Imagine how important this organization is in the lives of these folks
who are confronting being deaf and blind at the same time.
It is estimated that there are 2.4 million deaf and blind youths and
adults in America, and that number is going up dramatically as the
population ages.
Mr. Speaker, this organization services adults who are over 16 years
of age. They travel from all over the country to come to this facility,
as well as having regional centers, which have been mentioned already,
that provide what you would characterize as outpatient services.
In my second week in office, in 2017, I visited the Helen Keller
National Center in my district. I met with deaf and blind individuals
in the program. I learned about their experiences and how Helen Keller
services made a difference in their lives and the lives of their
families. Many described how they had gained skills in order to live
independently and to be successfully employed in a career of their
choice.
We must all recognize the critical importance of this group, and the
reauthorization of the Helen Keller Act is one significant way that
Congress can collectively convey to the deaf-blind community that we
are all committed to ensuring quality services are available to promote
their empowerment and their success, not only the work they have done
in the past, but that they will do in the future as well.
I want people to know that, since coming to Congress in 2017, after
years of no increases in their funding, my colleagues and I have helped
increase funding at the Helen Keller National Center from $10.3 million
a year to $13.5 million for the Helen Keller National Center. It is
really a modest investment, but with this funding, they have been able
to provide a wider array of critical services to deaf-blind individuals
by building a network all across the Nation among professionals and
service providers with 11 regional offices located across the country.
This year's appropriations bill package passed by the House included
$16 million and is awaiting action in the Senate.
Again, Mr. Speaker, I want to thank all of my colleagues who have
done so much for such an important organization.
Ms. JAYAPAL. Mr. Speaker, in closing, this is commonsense, bipartisan
legislation to help deaf-blind students across the country. I am so
proud that the House is considering this legislation today. I urge a
``yes'' vote, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R.
2134 the ``Helen Keller National Center Reauthorization Act of 2019.''
Helen Keller was an American author, political activist, and lecturer
who was the first deaf-blind person to earn a Bachelors Degree in the
United States.
She was born in Tuscumbia, Alabama on June 27, 1880 and she spent her
life campaigning for women's suffrage, labor rights and antimilitarism.
The Helen Keller National Center Act established a Helen Keller
National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults to provide specialized
intensive services for deaf-blind persons, to train personnel to
provide such services, and to conduct applied research, development,
and demonstrations relating to communication techniques, teaching
methods, aids, devices and delivery of services.
This bill requires an annual audit of the Center and it directs the
Secretary of Education to ensure that Center service and training
programs are monitored regularly, and Center operation is evaluated
annually, with written reports to the President and Congress submitted
by specified deadlines.
There are approximately thirty-six million adult Americans that
suffer some type of hearing loss and approximately ten million
Americans that are blind or visually impaired.
This legislation will help ensure that these Americans get the help
they need to fulfill their dreams.
That is why I urge all Members to join me in voting for H.R. 2134.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. Jayapal) that the House suspend the
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 2134, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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