[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 150 (Monday, September 19, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H7911-H7912]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1600
        HELEN KELLER NATIONAL CENTER REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2022

  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
pass the bill (H.R. 1433) 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. 1433

       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 2022''.

     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 ``2023 through 
     2027''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Virginia (Mr. Scott) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Sempolinski) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Virginia.


                             General Leave

  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their 
remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 1433, the Helen Keller 
National Center Reauthorization Act of 2022.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Virginia?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1433, the Helen Keller 
National Center Reauthorization Act, which would reauthorize the Helen 
Keller National Center for 5 years.
  The Helen Keller National Center for Youths and Adults Who Are Deaf-
Blind 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.
  Moreover, the Helen Keller National Center is the only comprehensive 
national program that provides for information, referral, support, and 
training exclusively to youth and adults who have combined vision and 
hearing loss. The center also supports families and professionals who 
work with the deaf-blind community.
  Thankfully, through our actions today, we will be one step closer to 
reauthorizing the center's important work through 2027.
  The Helen Keller center performs life-changing work. This work and 
the population it serves deserve all of our support.
  Lastly, I thank the sponsor of the legislation, the gentleman from 
Wisconsin (Mr. Pocan), and the cosponsors, the gentleman from Oklahoma 
(Mr. Cole), the gentleman from New York (Mr. Suozzi), and the gentleman 
from Pennsylvania (Mr. Fitzpatrick), for their leadership on this 
legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support the American 
deaf-blind community and support this bipartisan legislation before us.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SEMPOLINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1433, bipartisan 
legislation to reauthorize the Helen Keller National Center Act.
  This center is unique. In fact, it is the only one of its kind. Since 
1967, the center has helped individuals with combined vision and 
hearing loss by providing them, as well as their families and service 
providers, with specialized, intensive services to help them lead 
successful and independent lives. This includes, but isn't limited to, 
career and technical education.
  Simply put, the center offers hope and dignity to those it serves. 
This center is on the forefront of research in developing new and 
innovative ways for those that are deaf-blind to live a full and 
independent life. The end goal is allowing those with combined vision 
and hearing loss to work and thrive in communities of their choice.
  The Helen Keller National Center is living up to the legacy of its 
namesake. Helen Keller is the epitome of perseverance. She overcame 
every obstacle to lead a successful life that impacted the lives of so 
many.
  She once wrote, ``A happy life consists not in the absence but in the 
mastery of hardships.'' There is so much we can learn from Helen 
Keller's commitment to serving others despite her own trials.
  This bipartisan bill will ensure that the Helen Keller National 
Center continues to help deaf-blind youth and adults triumph over 
adversity, just as Helen Keller did more than 50 years ago.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill and, in doing 
so, empower those who are deaf-blind to live full, successful, and 
independent lives. This bill will help ensure these students and adults 
have all the resources they need to reach their fullest potential.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may 
consume to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Suozzi), a cosponsor of the 
legislation.
  Mr. SUOZZI. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for giving me the 
opportunity to speak in support of H.R. 1433, the reauthorization of 
the Helen Keller National Center for Youths and Adults Who Are Deaf-
Blind in our country.
  Let me start by thanking not only the chairman but Congressman Pocan 
and all of my colleagues who, on a bipartisan basis, have shown 
overwhelming support for this legislation and the national center.
  The Helen Keller National Center for the Deaf-Blind, located in my 
district, is the only center of its type anywhere in the Nation. People 
from all over the country travel to the center for help, and they have 
regional support centers, as well.
  In my first 2 weeks in office, back in 2017, I visited the Helen 
Keller National Center for the first time. I heard stories from people 
whose lives were changed and whose families' lives were changed because 
of the miracles that were brought into their lives by this exceptional 
national treasure.
  People's lives have been changed dramatically because of the work of 
this center supported by this Congress for 55 years, since 1967. We 
need to continue to support the center.
  I thank my colleagues for the great work that they have done in 
supporting it and continuing to increase its funding year after year. 
Let us keep working together on a bipartisan basis to serve the people 
of our country, especially this vulnerable population. Imagine what it 
would be like to be deaf and blind.

  This is truly a national treasure, and I thank my colleagues for 
their support.
  Mr. SEMPOLINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of reauthorizing 
the Helen Keller National Center Act.
  Helen Keller's story is an example of determination and hard work. 
Not only did she overcome her difficulties, but

[[Page H7912]]

she worked tirelessly to better the lives of others. In doing so, she 
showed the world there were no boundaries. That is how the center looks 
at its work and those who it serves.
  As a parent of a child with a disability, this issue is very near and 
dear to my heart, so I am glad to have this time today to share my 
thoughts and experiences. I know firsthand the importance of each child 
with a disability having every possible opportunity to succeed and 
thrive. Any parent of a child with any disability can tell you that 
their top priority is to provide the very best for their children's 
education and growth.
  I will work tirelessly in and out of Congress for the disability 
community. This is one of many reasons why I support this bill. Today's 
bipartisan legislation will allow the center to continue its invaluable 
research and developmental 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.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 1433.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. Speaker, this legislation will help members of the deaf-blind 
community across the country. I thank the gentleman from New York for 
his leadership, along with the sponsors and cosponsors of the 
legislation. I am proud that the House is considering this legislation 
today.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote, and I yield back the balance of 
my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Cuellar). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott) that the House 
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1433, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. HICE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further 
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.

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