[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 8]
[House]
[Pages 11363-11364]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1130
   SUPPORTING THE IMPORTANCE OF BRAILLE IN THE LIVES OF BLIND PEOPLE

  Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 1034) expressing support for designation of July 
2010 as ``Braille Literacy Month'', as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1034

       Whereas since its invention by Louis Braille (1809-1852), 
     the reading and writing code for the blind that bears his 
     name has become the accepted method of reading and writing 
     for the blind the world over;
       Whereas the Braille code is used to represent not only the 
     alphabets of most written languages, but is also used for 
     mathematical and scientific notation and the reproduction of 
     musical scores;
       Whereas while technology has improved the lives of blind 
     people by facilitating quick access to information, Braille 
     literacy gives blind people the ability to read and to write 
     and to do the two interactively;
       Whereas despite its efficiency, versatility, and universal 
     acceptance by the blind, the rate of Braille literacy in the 
     United States has declined to the point where only 10 percent 
     of blind children are learning the code;
       Whereas Braille is an important tool in the independence, 
     productivity, and success for blind people;
       Whereas while 70 percent of the blind are unemployed, 85 
     percent of those who are employed know Braille;
       Whereas the United States Congress officially recognized 
     the importance of Braille by passing the Louis Braille 
     Bicentennial-Braille Literacy Commemorative Coin Act 
     authorizing the striking of a United States silver dollar 
     marking the 200th anniversary of the birth of Louis Braille 
     and emphasizing the connection between learning Braille and 
     true independence and opportunity for the blind; and
       Whereas the National Federation of the Blind, the Nation's 
     oldest and largest organization of blind people and a leading 
     advocate for Braille literacy in the United States, has 
     launched a national ``Braille Readers are Leaders'' campaign 
     to promote awareness of the importance of Braille and to 
     increase the availability of competent Braille instruction 
     and of Braille reading materials in this country: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) supports the importance of Braille and the role that 
     Braille plays in the lives of blind people;
       (2) recognizes the 70th anniversary of the National 
     Federation of the Blind; and
       (3) supports the efforts of the National Federation of the 
     Blind and other organizations to promote Braille literacy.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
Jersey (Mr. Payne) and the gentlewoman from Washington (Mrs. McMorris 
Rodgers) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey.


                             General Leave

  Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which 
Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House 
Resolution 1034 into the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New Jersey?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. PAYNE. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1034, which 
recognizes the importance of braille in the lives of blind people. We 
know that education is the key to success and that every American 
deserves an equal opportunity to a good education. Literacy, or the 
ability to read and write, is the key to this education.
  Braille has been a recognized reading and writing code for the blind 
since its invention by Louis Braille in 1821. Braille translates to 
most written languages, and it is even used in converting figures in 
the areas of math, science, and music. Braille code has improved the 
lives of blind people by facilitating quick access to information and 
technology resources. It has even given blind persons the ability to 
read and write simultaneously.
  Despite the freedom that comes from learning braille, fewer than 10 
percent of the 1.3 million people who are legally blind in the United 
States are braille readers. According to the American Printing House 
for the Blind, there are approximately 58,000 legally blind children in 
the United States, but only 10 percent of these children are learning 
the code. This resolution honors, celebrates, and encourages the 
learning of braille, but it also recognizes the need for more education 
in the teaching of braille so that America's blind children can learn 
this important code.
  In 2006, Congress recognized the importance of braille by passing the 
Louis Braille Bicentennial-Braille Literacy Commemorative Coin Act. 
This act authorizes the striking of a United States silver dollar, 
marking the 200th anniversary of the birth of Louis Braille, and 
emphasizes the connection between the learning of braille and the 
empowerment of blind people everywhere. A portion of the sale of each 
coin goes towards a braille literacy campaign that will help provide 
more blind youth and adults with access to this important code.
  Mr. Speaker, let us continue to emphasize the importance of learning 
braille by supporting House Resolution 1034. I urge my colleagues to 
support this legislation, which celebrates braille and which pays much 
needed attention to braille literacy in America.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. McMORRIS RODGERS. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 1034, expressing 
support for the designation of July 2010 as Braille Literacy Month.
  The braille language was developed by Louis Braille in 1821. 
Unbeknownst to many, each braille character is comprised of six raised 
dots that, when put in various positions, form 64 possible 
combinations, combinations which allow individuals to communicate in 
most written languages as well as in mathematics and in musical scores.
  Literacy involves the ability to acquire information, to understand 
it, and to communicate it with others. It is the ability to gain access 
to written information, information that is stored so that it can be 
referred to again and again. The braille code gives the blind the gift 
of literacy--the ability to communicate through reading and writing.
  Despite the advantages of learning and knowing braille, only 10 
percent of blind children today are learning the braille code. In 1960, 
50 percent of legally blind school-aged children were able to read 
braille. The decline in braille literacy is a cause for concern. 
According to a 2007 study, there are over 57,000 legally blind children 
in the United States. Just as television and computers cannot replace 
the written word, technology cannot replace the benefits of learning 
the braille code for thousands of blind children and adults.
  Supporting the designation of July 2010 as Braille Literacy Month 
highlights the importance of braille literacy and of the benefits it 
offers to blind children. I urge all of my colleagues to support House 
Resolution 1034, expressing support for designating July 2010 as 
Braille Literacy Month.

[[Page 11364]]

  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield such time as he may 
consume the sponsor of this resolution, the gentleman from Maryland 
(Mr. Sarbanes).
  Mr. SARBANES. I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, literacy is a fundamental building block for individuals 
to thrive in our society and in a constantly changing world. Literacy 
can have an impact on an individual's ability to be self-sufficient, 
and it is essential in overcoming social and economic barriers. Low 
literacy skills, on the other hand, are associated with poor health, 
lower income levels, and social exclusion.
  Braille is an internationally recognized method of reading and 
writing for the blind community and is the key to literacy. It provides 
the blind community with the tools they need to succeed and to improve 
their lives. Yet braille literacy has declined to 10 percent in the 
United States compared to 50 percent in the 1960s.
  House Resolution 1034, which I was proud to introduce and which has 
cosponsorship among both Republicans and Democrats, recognizes the 
importance of braille for success and adult independence. Studies show 
that braille literacy leads to higher educational levels, better 
employment, and increased financial independence. While 70 percent of 
blind adults face unemployment, 85 percent of those who are employed 
are able to read and write braille fluently.
  I am pleased to have worked with the National Federation of the Blind 
in developing this resolution that calls attention to the need for a 
renewed commitment to braille literacy. The National Federation of the 
Blind, which is the Nation's largest blind membership organization and 
is headquartered in my congressional district, helps blind persons 
achieve self-confidence and self-respect, and it acts as a vehicle for 
collective self-expression by the blind community. The NFB has been a 
champion of braille literacy over the years, and I would like to 
congratulate them on their efforts.
  Mr. Speaker, literacy provides individuals with basic life skills 
that can lead to access to higher educational opportunities and 
economic success. By promoting literacy within all communities, we can 
help our Nation and its citizens reach their full potential. I hope my 
colleagues will join me in supporting this resolution.
  Mrs. McMORRIS RODGERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues in 
supporting the designation of July 2010 as ``Braille Literacy Month,'' 
and in congratulating the National Federation of the Blind for seventy 
years of outstanding service. I am delighted that we have this 
opportunity to reflect on the progress made to services for the blind, 
and to build on this progress for the future of Braille literacy.
  One-hundred-eighty years ago, the first Braille book was published--
an accomplishment that has since allowed for millions of people, who 
are blind or of low vision, to read, write and communicate. For a 
person who is blind, Braille has become a basic skill that lies at the 
center of the continuing efforts for fairness and equal education. The 
National Federation of the Blind, as both the oldest and largest 
organization of blind people in the United States, is integral to this 
continuous tight for equality. For the past several decades, the 
National Federation of the Blind has advocated strongly for the 
translation of more books and textbooks into Braille so as to both 
promote Braille literacy and help integrate blind persons into society. 
As policymakers, we must support the advancement of equality and 
knowledge that is imbibed in the actions of the NFB. Declaring July 
2010 as ``Braille Literacy Month'' would be one step, but an important 
one, in our efforts towards promoting equality and education for all 
persons in the United States.
  In my hometown of Chicago, there is a nonprofit organization called 
the Chicago Lighthouse that has provided services and support for the 
blind for several decades, much like the NFB. Amongst their many 
accomplishments in education and job training, the Chicago Lighthouse 
is also responsible for the manufacturing of the many clocks that you 
see in the U.S. government today--a testament to the skills, talent, 
and work of the people they serve. Though only one of many 
achievements, the clocks that you see around you today demonstrate the 
continuing need to provide equal access to job opportunities and 
education to those who are blind so as to fulfill their potentials.
  In declaring July 2010 as Braille Literacy Month, we would not only 
be promoting literacy for the blind, but progressing down a road of 
true equality as well.
  Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I would ask that the House move in favor of 
H. Res. 1034.
  With that, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Payne) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1034, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was agreed to.
  The title of the resolution was amended so as to read: ``Expressing 
support for the importance of Braille in the lives of blind people.''.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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