[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 318]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



             COMMENDING BEACON COLLEGE IN LEESBURG, FLORIDA

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                           HON. CLIFF STEARNS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, January 6, 1999

  Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, one of the world's greatest documents is 
our Declaration of Independence. It proclaims our unalienable rights, 
among them ``Life, Liberty and the pursuant of Happiness.'' This is one 
of the central components of the American experience, the right to use 
your God-given abilities to pursue your goals. As Americans, we are 
entitled to go as far as our talents will carry us. That is why it is 
imperative to ensure that every individual has the chance to succeed.
  A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of visiting Beacon College in 
Leesburg, Florida, a school in my district dedicated to providing 
opportunities. Beacon College offers the opportunity of a higher 
education to students with learning disabilities.
  Learning disabilities can affect a person's ability to read, write, 
speak, or compute math, and can impair socialization skills. This 
disability can be a life-long condition affecting how that person 
functions in school, at home, or in the work place. And this is not a 
rare occurrence; 15 to 20 percent of the U.S. population have some form 
of learning disability.
  People with learning disabilities can and do excel in their 
individual pursuits, they just need the chance. Beacon College is 
committed to working with a diverse student population, assisting each 
with an individual approach, taking into consideration differences in 
experiential backgrounds, pace and readiness to learn, learning styles, 
and individual strengths and weaknesses.
  Beacon College offers Associate of Arts and Bachelor of Arts degree 
programs in Human Services and Liberal Studies. The Human Services 
program stimulates the student's interest in intellectual, 
philosophical, social, and public issues. This program concentrates on 
human development and public services. The Liberal Studies program 
provides a well-rounded liberal arts education. Both programs are 
designed to help students achieve their career goals.
  Through small class sizes, with an average of eight students per 
class, the faculty can interact better with their students, leading to 
better academic success. However, the College is more than a learning 
institution, it also promotes responsibility and self-reliance. Beacon 
students are called upon to identify their own learning styles as well 
as their strengths and weaknesses to prepare them for their roles in 
society.
  Beacon College goes beyond teaching, it prepares its students for a 
meaningful career and an independent lifestyle. I am glad that I am 
able to share with my colleagues the commitment of Beacon College to 
providing opportunities for those with learning disabilities. Through 
its efforts, the College is making a richer life for its students and 
their families.

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