[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 4 (Wednesday, January 6, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E10-E11]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONGRATULATING J. GARY MUDD, VICE PRESIDENT OF GOVERNMENT AND COMMUNITY 
AFFAIRS AT THE AMERICAN PRINTING HOUSE FOR THE BLIND, ON HIS RETIREMENT

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                          HON. JOHN A. YARMUTH

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, January 6, 2021

  Mr. YARMUTH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate J. Gary 
Mudd, Vice

[[Page E11]]

President of Government and Community Affairs at the American Printing 
House for the Blind (APH), on his retirement. For more than 34 years, 
Gary has been a tireless advocate for thousands of students and adults 
who are blind or visually impaired.
  Gary has been the face of APH on Capitol Hill for decades. His 
approach to educating Members of Congress and their staff was to 
emphasize the importance of increased funding for the blind and 
visually impaired; demonstrating the many technologies developed by 
APH; and making clear how that investment helps expand educational 
opportunities for those without sight. Gary's determination, both 
personally and professionally, proved to all who know him that a blind 
man can achieve great success. Gary is a proud graduate of the 
University of Louisville where he received his Bachelor of Science 
Degree in Sociology.
  Gary was known to many on Capitol Hill, and his guide dogs were often 
more recognizable than their owner. When Gary called for an 
appointment, the first question was: ``Is the dog coming?'' Heathcliff 
was his first companion. When he passed away, Denver filled the coveted 
position. Not that we weren't pleased to see Gary, but his companions 
were always a highlight of the day. Gary was a valuable resource for 
members of the Capitol Hill community and was always available to 
answer any questions about educating the blind and visually impaired.
  Gary's accomplishments are many: he played a key leadership role on 
the APH executive board; helped establish the National Prison Braille 
Network--a partnership with the APH and prisons across the United 
States to learn braille to transcribe textbooks for blind students; and 
played an integral role at the APH Museum, the InSights Arts 
Competition, and the National Instructional Materials Accessibility 
Center resources services team. Gary was not only instrumental in 
ensuring that the APH facility was an accessible workplace for all, but 
also led the team to include accessibility for the blind for the 
Louisville Metro region to expand accessibility and technology for 
transit, buildings, and streets, and he worked tirelessly to help 
incorporate changes into city planning documents for our city.
  As Helen Keller said, ``The only thing worse than being blind is 
having sight but no vision.''
  Gary's work at the APH demonstrated more than vision. He inspired 
others to join in his quest to provide the best for blind students, 
adults, and the visually impaired all over this great nation.
  I wish Gary the very best in retirement and send my good wishes to 
him, his wife Susan, daughters Kelly and Rachel, and grandchildren 
Cate, Carter, Davis, and Kase

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