[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 13156-13157]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING DR. KENJI HAMADA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ROBERT B. ADERHOLT

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 20, 2016

  Mr. ADERHOLT. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to recognize the 
contributions to North Alabama made by Dr. Kenji Hamada of Arizona.
  Dr. Hamada is a highly regarded optometrist who has dedicated his 
life to helping preserve and restore eyesight to countless individuals. 
His care and concern has also extended to those in other states.
  Several years ago through his service with Optometry Cares, Dr. 
Hamada met Alabama State Representative Johnny Mack Morrow and his 
wife, Dr. Martha Morrow, a fellow optometrist, who introduced him to 
North Alabama. At this time, Dr. Hamada was looking to develop a 
program for visually impaired children. Little did he know that a 
program was already in the works between the Helen Keller

[[Page 13157]]

Birthplace Foundation and Optometry Cares--The AOA Foundation. The 
first ``Camp Courage: A Helen Keller Experience'' for blind and 
severely visually impaired children was held in October 2013, and Dr. 
Hamada was immediately sold on the concept and became an advocate and 
funding supporter.
  Since this initial meeting between the Morrows and Dr. Hamada, he has 
dedicated a great deal of his time and resources to support programs to 
help visually challenged children in Alabama. Through his support and 
partnership with organizations like the American Optometric Association 
Foundation, many children have been assisted with or cured of their 
visual impairments. In addition to his support of optometry care, he 
has also financially supported other groups in Alabama such as the 
University of North Alabama Summer Theatre and the Alabama Music Hall 
of Fame.
  I would like to commend Dr. Hamada for his service and dedication to 
the people of North Alabama. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I believe it is 
fitting and proper that Dr. Kenji Hamada be an Honorary Ambassador for 
North Alabama for all his contributions and service to the region.

                          ____________________