Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 98 Part 1.djvu/296

 98 STAT. 248

PUBLIC LAW 98-320—JUNE 18, 1984 Public Law 98-320 98th Congress Joint Resolution

June 18, 1984 [S.J. Res. 261]

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-j-o provide for the designation of the last week in June 1984 as "Helen Keller Deaf-Blind Awareness Week".

Whereas the anniversary of the birth of Helen Keller, the most accomplished, respected, and renowned deaf-blind American in our history, falls on June 27; and Whereas deaf-blindness is one of the most severe of all disabilities, with respect to which some forty thousand Americans are deprived of two primary senses; and Whereas the rubella epidemic of the 1960's, along with other pathologies, has resulted in deaf-blindness for approximately six thousand of our children; and Whereas, because of the severity of deaf-blindness the cost of educating, training, and rehabilitating persons who are deaf and blind is high in comparison with other disabilities; and Whereas this high cost causes many service agencies to be reluctant to serve deaf-blind persons, thus inhibiting the independence and self-sufficiency of such persons, and frequently resulting in their placement in custodial institutions; and Whereas, although the Helen Keller National Center and its network, and regional deaf-blind centers serve a portion of this population, inadequate education, training and rehabilitation services to the deaf-blind population represents a terrible waste of human lives and resources, imposing a high economic cost on the Nation; and Whereas it is in the national interest to prevent this waste of human resources, foster independence, create opportunities for employment, and maximize the ability to achieve among our deafblind citizens; and Whereas these objectives can be accomplished only through an increased public awareness of, and attention to, the needs, abilities, and potential contributions to society of persons who are both deaf and blind; and Whereas it is highly appropriate to publicize the needs, abilities, and potential of all deaf-blind persons, and simultaneously to recognize Helen Keller not only as a beacon of courage and hope for our Nation, but also as a symbol of what is possible for deaf-blind persons to achieve: Now, therefore, be it


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