Joe Donnelly: “today I rise to recognize Bosma Enterprises on the 100th anniversary of its founding. I commend Bosma for remaining…”

“today I rise to recognize Bosma Enterprises on the 100th anniversary of its founding. I commend Bosma for remaining steadfast in its mission to decrease the unemployment rate among those who are blind or visually impaired. Since its founding, Bosma Enterprises has provided employment opportunities and rehabilitation to visually impaired Hoosiers throughout our State. Originally a public institution created by the Indiana State Legislature in 1915, the Board of Industrial Aid for the Blind was renamed after Charles E. Bosma, an advocate for the blind and visually impaired citizens of Indiana. Indiana State Representative and Speaker of the Indiana House Brian C. Bosma has served as a founding director since 1988 when the organization was granted not-for-profit status. Since then, Bosma has grown tremendously. A little more than 15 years ago, Bosma secured a major contract allowing it to package and distribute gloves to hospitals under the jurisdiction of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Bosma then expanded their contract with the Department of Veteran Affairs and began to package and distribute surgical gloves, creating even more jobs. Bosma Enterprises has grown into a business with more than 200 employees, 85 of whom are blind or visually impaired, making this the largest employer of individuals with visual disabilities in the State of Indiana.…”