Mark Takano: “Keith Nolan's dream was to be a military officer. He excelled at the first two levels of Army ROTC and was preparing to…”

“Keith Nolan's dream was to be a military officer. He excelled at the first two levels of Army ROTC and was preparing to take the next step when he was told that he could not continue because he failed the hearing portion of a military medical exam. This is not at all surprising, because Keith Nolan is deaf. The United States does not allow the deaf community to serve in the military, unlike other nations that allow deaf citizens to serve. Despite Keith's passion and despite our attempts to establish a demonstration program to prove that the deaf community is entirely capable of contributing to our military, Keith does not have the opportunity to serve his country. Today, I am mourning for Keith and for the country, which lost out on his service. But I want to celebrate his passion and his dedication to expanding civil rights for the deaf community. He has taken this rejection in stride, creating an ROTC program at the Maryland School for the Deaf. I am once again calling for a demonstration program that gives the deaf community a chance to defend the country they love. ____________________”