[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 17736-17737]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      ILLINOIS SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. AARON SCHOCK

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 14, 2009

  Mr. SCHOCK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Illinois School 
for the Deaf and Mr. Albert Caswell. On January 20, 2009, the Illinois 
School for the Deaf traveled to Washington, DC, to witness the 
inauguration of President Barack Obama. Inspired by these young 
children and with the thought that perhaps one day one of those 
children may also stand on the west front of the U.S. Capitol, I submit 
a poem penned by U.S. Capitol Guide Albert Carey Caswell. Mr. Caswell 
was able to spend some time with them on that day and wrote the 
following tribute.

                            Can You Hear Me?

                        (By Mr. Albert Caswell)

     Can you hear me?
     I can hear you!
     Not with my ears!
     But, with something far much more greater, so true!
     For it's with my heart . . .
     That, I can hear you too . . .
     Look at me!
     I'm just the same as you!
     For what I've lost . . .
     For inside, I've gained so much more so too!
     For I can feel you . . .
     And, I can read you . . .
     I'm just a kid like you!
     And, I want to grow up to be happy . . . and so healthy, oh 
           so much so too!
     Just, because I can't understand you!
     I can read you!
     Like a book!
     For our Lord God, has given me other gifts that I can use. . 
           . .
     For your coming through to me, loud and clear . . .
     For I've developed my senses, so much greater so here. . . .
     We're all the same!
     Some of us even, have the same names . . .
     So hear me!
     Do not fear me!
     Be near me, be my friend . . . so tried and true . . .

[[Page 17737]]

     There's, so much more we can learn about each other . . . me 
           and you
     For, I can hear you!
     In our world, there is such a special bond. . . .
     That, in the quiet world is so formed . . .
     At first, you may not understand . . . but it's in our heart 
           where it is born . . .
     I can teach you!
     I can reach you!
     In all I do!
     Life lesson's so very true . . .
     For, I will not give up!
     Nor give in!
     On this Inauguration Day, I see how far dreams can take you 
           to!
     And yet I ask, ``Why, must children have so much courage then 
           so too?''
     For some things, are so hard to understand . . .
     As where faith must begin and end . . .
           Reach out, and take my hand . . .
     Let's be friends, me and you . . .
     There's so much more together we can learn and do!
     Little children as Heroes should not have to be . . . but are 
           put on this earth for all to teach!
     Can you hear me?
     I can hear you!
     And one day up in Heaven . . . I know, my Lord I will view . 
           . .
     And, I will begin to cry . . .
     When, I look into his eyes . . . and I hear for the first 
           time . . .
     My very first words!
     ``I love you''!

                          ____________________