Thomas R. Suozzi: “I thank Congresswoman Jayapal for yielding me time. Today I rise in support of H.R. 2134, the Helen Keller National…”

“I thank Congresswoman Jayapal for yielding me time. Today I rise in support of H.R. 2134, the Helen Keller National Center Reauthorization Act of 2019. The Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults is located in my district in Sands Point, Long Island. It is a national organization and, really, the only one of its type. I want to thank my colleagues, Representative Pocan, who is the author of this bill, and Congressman Peter King, Congressman Bobby Scott, Congresswoman DeLauro, Congressman Cole, and Congresswoman Lowey, for championing the authorization of the Helen Keller National Center. Think about it: This was formed in 1967, and it is a unique facility in that it serves a population that is both deaf and blind, combined. Imagine how important this organization is in the lives of these folks who are confronting being deaf and blind at the same time. It is estimated that there are 2.4 million deaf and blind youths and adults in America, and that number is going up dramatically as the population ages. Mr. Speaker, this organization services adults who are over 16 years of age. They travel from all over the country to come to this facility, as well as having regional centers, which have been mentioned already, that provide what you would characterize as outpatient services. In my second week in office, in 2017, I visited the Helen Keller National Center in my district. I met with deaf and blind individuals in the program.…”